HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Council Action Form dated July 12, 1994 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item # 37
Date: July 12, 1994
SUBJECT: Prohibiting parking and delivery activities on Chamberlain Place north of
211 Chamberlain Place.
BACKGROUND:
Staff initiated this truck ordinance due to a request received from Scott Randall, 303
Welch Avenue, that "double parking" should be prohibited on City of Ames streets. Mr.
Randall's main concern was that trucks frequently parking in front of 211 Chamberlain
Place, are blocking access to his building. These trucks are often unloading supplies to
the two businesses adjacent to the alley, DaVinci's (2514 Chamberlain Place) and
Pizza Pit (2071/2 Welch Avenue). When these trucks are parked in front of his property,
it completely blocks access to his building. The alley adjacent to 211 Chamberlain
Place has a width of 16' that prohibits vehicle passage when trucks are parked along
this alley. There is no other street access to this building.
Truck loading activities on the south end of Chamberlain Place next to Chamberlain
Street have also created problems for the users of the City's new Welch Lot T parking
lot. It has been reported that trucks park in front of the alley approach, and block
access to the parking lot. Staff believes that this prevents adequate circulation within
the lot, since many vehicles parked along the parallel spaces on the north curb must
drive out of the lot from this approach.
Currently, the City Code does allow trucks to deliver along alleys during the period
when they are expeditiously loading and unloading freight, merchandise, or materials
(Ord. No.18.17(14a)). Trucks are also allowed to remain parked in an alley for periods
not exceeding two hours while loading supplies (Ord. No. 18.16). This is an
unacceptable situation for Mr. Randall, who must have access to his building during
most periods throughout the day.
At the June 28th Council meeting, staff proposed the parking prohibitions shown on
"Plan A" (attached). During the meeting, Tom Northrop, owner of Pizza Pit, 207 Welch
Avenue, indicated that an alternate plan was being developed to address these issues.
Council directed staff to meet with the affected businesses to review this alternate plan,
and to bring an ordinance back for Council consideration on July 12.
During the subsequent meeting with staff, the adjacent property owners and business
managers of DaVinci's (2514 Chamberlain Place), Quik Trip (203 Welch Avenue), and
Pizza Pit (207 Welch Avenue) discussed an alternate plan to allow truck parking 15'
CAF - Chamberlain Place Parking
July 12, 1994
Page 2
further south of the proposed prohibition. By extending this truck delivery zone 15'
further south, adequate space would be available for a 55' delivery truck to unload
without blocking DaVinci's parking along the north end of Chamberlain Place. This
delivery zone would be located 15 feet south of the north property line of 211
Chamberlain Place, however, delivery trucks in this zone would not block access into
the warehouse building at this location. Although invited, the owner of the business at
211 Chamberlain Place was not in attendance at this meeting.
Property and business owners also wanted to prohibit truck parking along a 50' section
of the Chamberlain Place alley in order to preclude truck parking along the north end of
Chamberlain Place which would block DaVinci's access to a parking area. This would
allow DaVinci's to utilize the six parking spaces that access to the alley along the west
side of their parking lot. With this additional prohibition, the remaining truck delivery
zone would be extended 55', allowing sufficient area for a semi-truck to deliver goods.
Staff believes that the alley should be used to accommodate essential activities for all
properties along this section. With the alternate plan, the commercial businesses would
be least impacted by the reduction of the truck delivery zone, and access will be
allowed for Scott Randall's building (211 Chamberlain Place). Also, truck parking would
be prohibited along the north end of Chamberlain Place to allow access for the parking
area next to DaVinci's. Currently, there is a designated truck loading zone on
Chamberlain Place next to DaVinci's business. Signage would be posted designating
the parking prohibitions.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . Prohibit truck deliveries along both sides of Chamberlain Place south of the north
property line of 211 Chamberlain Place (Plan A), as proposed at the June 28
Council meeting.
2. Prohibit truck deliveries along both sides of Chamberlain Place 15' south of the
north property line of 211 Chamberlain Place, and 50' south of Chamberlain
Avenue. (Plan B).
3. Do nothing.
4. Modify the prohibition.
CAF - Chamberlain Place Parking
July 12, 1994
Page 3
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative number 2
above, thereby approving an ordinance to prohibit truck deliveries along both sides of
Chamberlain Place 15' south of the north property line of 211 Chamberlain Place, and
50' south of Chamberlain Avenue. (Plan B).
COUNCIL ACTION:
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