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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated November 14, 2000 o Id cry /) 7 Item # 'Y � o Date: Novemb 14 2000 COUNCIL ACTION FORM SUBJECT: WEST STREET AND HOWARD AVENUE PARKING CHANGES BACKGROUND: Staff has been working with the West Street/Howard Avenue residents and property owners of single family homes to evaluate parking and traffic improvements along neighborhood streets. This evaluation was initiated by area residents of single family homes who petitioned to limit the heavy utilization of daytime on-street parking. It should be noted that due to the timing of the request in late April, it was agreed that the parking issues would be evaluated when ISU students return to attend school this fall. As reported in the petition, the parking conditions along both streets provide problems for residents backing out of driveways due to the lack of sight distance, and for guests who need short-term parking. Currently, there is an existing alternate side parking prohibition on both streets that have a changeover period from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. In their petition, the residents believe that parking conditions could be improved by designating either of the following prohibitions: Howard Avenue: 1. Prohibiting all on-street parking from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 P.M. Or 2. Restricting parking to a 4-hour interval on the side of the street that is legally designated for parking. West Street: The petition also requested that parking be prohibited along both sides of West Street between Howard Avenue and Woodland Street to improve traffic safety. In staff's surveys, it is shown that on street parking along both Howard Avenue and West Street is almost 100% utilized during the day. During discussions with residents, it was indicated that this parking is used primarily by residents residing in the adjacent multi-unit apartments, and ISU students who are either attending classes or residing within dormitories in the nearby campus area. This situation is a classic case of parking demand exceeding the area residential off street lot supply and thus creating conflict along neighborhood streets. To receive input for the proposed parking prohibition changes, staff mailed and distributed door-to-door notices to residents and property owners along both streets. The written comments from residents and property owners that are attached indicate that there are mixed reactions about the proposed changes. Due to this mixed reaction, staff also met with residents and property owners on October 10th and 12th to discuss the proposed prohibitions on West Street and Howard Avenue. The discussion and recommendations for both streets are discussed below. CAF —West/Howard Parking Changes November 14, 2000 Page 2 West Street Parking Issues Staff received mixed reactions to the proposed parking prohibitions along West Street. Although this measure was supported by some of the residents along the street, it received considerable opposition by primarily ISU students residing in the adjacent multi-unit apartments, and the owners of these units. Of the eighteen students who attended the October 10th meeting, all opposed the measure and believed that the existing parking prohibitions should remain to accommodate their parking needs. It was indicated that changing this parking prohibition to further limit on-street parking would contribute to considerable hardships that would jeopardize their ability to travel to school, work, and perform errands. During the meeting, it was discussed that providing a time limit on parking along both West Street and Howard Avenue would not improve parking conditions. It was indicated that this measure would limit the on-street parking use by adjacent residents, but the available spaces not utilized for long-term parking would be quickly filled by students who are attending classes at Iowa State University. This would occur since both streets are in the close proximity to campus where students typically park to attend classes. They also believed that implementing a daytime parking prohibition along the streets would only shift the parking problem to other area streets. The residents had indicated during the meeting that the primary problem is the lack of enforcement of the existing parking prohibitions along the street. They report that sight distance problems next to driveways and intersections are a result of the illegal parking that is frequently observed in the "yellow" zones next to these locations. Due to the frequently observed parking violations, residents request that police enforcement efforts be stepped up to alleviate this problem. After reviewing conditions and the input received from residents, staff believes that the existing alternate-side parking prohibitions should remain, however, that parking prohibitions be designated 10 feet from driveways along West Street (from Woodland to Wilmoth). Staff did not believe that the on-street parking should be further limited along the street, as proposed, since it would create other parking problems in the area and not sufficiently lessen the on-street parking utilization along the street. By limiting the availability of long-term parking along West Street, residents would only move their vehicles to adjacent streets since there is not a sufficient number of off-street parking spaces available along West Street. Also, the high utilization of parking would probably remain since the "short-term" parking created along West Street would be used primarily by students attending classes on the ISU campus. It is expected that the proposed driveway prohibitions will eliminate three spaces from the on-street supply. CAF —West/Howard Parking Changes November 14, 2000 Page 3 Staff discussed the request by residents to increase enforcement efforts along West Street with the Police Department. The residents attending the October 10t" meeting believed that this increased effort would improve parking turnover and reduce parking violations where vehicles are parked too close to driveways and intersections. Representatives of the Police Department will be meeting with area residents to review existing enforcement activities and ascertain what the residents are specifically asking for by requesting increased enforcement. The other parking issue that was raised by the petition was the problem of parking near the intersection of West Street and Woodland Street. Staff has evaluated the conditions there and although there is not a significant accident history at the intersection involving parked cars, believes that traffic hazards are created along a portion of the narrow, curved section when parking is present since it limits sight distance and maneuvering space for motorists approaching this street section. This problem is also compounded by the heavier residential street volumes that exceed 1,000 vehicles per day. To improve conditions, staff believes that parking should be prohibited along both sides of West Street 130 feet west of the Woodland Street intersection. With this measure, there would be approximately four on-street parking spaces eliminated along the south side of this section. Currently, an alternate side parking prohibition is designated along this section with a 9:00 p.m. to midnight turnover period. Howard Avenue Parking Issues Like the West Street parking issue, staff received mixed reactions to the proposed parking prohibitions along Howard Avenue. Similarly, this measure was supported by some of the residents along the street; however, it received considerable opposition by primarily ISU students residing in the adjacent multi-unit apartments, and the owners of these units. Of the four residents and property owners who attended the October 12tn meeting, all but one opposed the measure and believed that the existing parking prohibitions should remain to accommodate their parking needs. They also believed that changing this parking prohibition to further limit on-street parking would contribute to considerable hardships that would jeopardize their ability to travel to school, work, and perform errands. One attendee also reported that changing the parking prohibition would also provide a hardship for multi-unit apartment owners who need to attract tenants into the units. During this meeting it was discussed by the participants that parking prohibitions should be designated in front of 215 Howard Avenue. This would allow sufficient sight distance for several residents to back out of driveways. It was also indicated that driveways on Howard Avenue should be clearly marked with a 5 foot parking prohibition and parking enforcement increased. CAF —West/Howard Parking Changes November 14, 2000 Page 4 Staff does support the measures that were discussed during the Howard Avenue neighborhood meeting. This includes designating parking prohibitions in front of 215 Howard Avenue to improve sight distance next to the two adjacent driveways. Also, staff believes that a 5 foot parking prohibitions should be designated along driveways to improve sight distance. (It should be noted that a 10 foot prohibition is recommended along West Street driveways due to the heavier traffic volumes and speeds along the street.) Since most parking conditions are similar to the ones along West Street, staff believes that limiting long-term parking along the entire street would create additional problems while not resolving the heavy parking utilization problems. Staff has also discussed with the Police Department the request by residents to increase enforcement efforts along Howard Avenue to reduce the incidence of illegal parking reported along the street. Police representatives will also work with this group to determine what is needed to address the request. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve designating parking prohibitions 10 feet from driveways along West Street (Woodland to Wilmoth) and along both sides of West Street 130 feet west of the Woodland Street intersection. Also, approve designating parking prohibitions in front of 215 Howard Avenue to improve sight distance next to the two adjacent driveways, and designating 5 foot parking prohibitions next to driveways along Howard Avenue (West Street to Lincoln Way). 2. Modify the parking proposed in Alternative #1. 3. Approve designating one of the two parking alternatives proposed in the petition received from area residents. 4. Do nothing. MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative number 1, thereby directing the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance designating parking prohibitions 10 feet from driveways along West Street (Woodland to Wilmoth) and along both sides of West Street 130 feet west of the Woodland Street intersection. This also includes preparing an ordinance designating parking prohibitions in front of 215 Howard Avenue to improve sight distance next to the two adjacent driveways, and designating 5 foot parking prohibitions next to driveways along Howard Avenue (West Street to Lincoln Way). COUNCIL ACTION: