HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Council Action Form dated July 27, 2010 ITEM #: CA
DATE: 07-27- 0
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: PARKING REGULATIONS ON JENSEN AVENUE
BACKGROUND:
On May 11, 2010, City Council referred a letter from a resident in the two thousand
block of Jensen Avenue regarding a request to restrict parking along one side of Jensen
Avenue. This was related to a safety concern in allowing two-way traffic along the
street with parked vehicles on both sides. As part of the referral, City Council asked
staff to notify the residents that live along Jensen Avenue from 20th Street to 24th Street
regarding the feasibility of changing the parking regulations. On July 6, 2010, a
notification was sent by mail to 34 households, which included each residence in the
designated area.
Currently there are no parking regulations for Jensen Avenue between 20th Street and
24th Street. However, north of 24t Street parking is restricted at all times along the east
side of Jensen Avenue north to Luther Drive. It should also be noted that Jensen
Avenue is classified as a local street that is 31 feet in width.
The City has a policy to construct narrower streets in new subdivisions, typically 26 feet
wide for residential streets, with parking restricted at all times along one side; preferably
on the side of the street where the fire hydrants are located. If Jensen Avenue was
newly constructed today, it would have such parking regulations established at the time
of preliminary platting.
Of the 34 residents notified by staff, only seven responded with comments. Five of the
seven stated that they were in support of the proposed change, whereas two said that
they would oppose the change. The two residents who opposed the change expressed
concern who reducing the available parking was unneeded and may cause hardships.
Conversely, those that supported the change generally thought it would help to increase
safety along the street, especially in the winter months when snow can further narrow
the street. it
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ALTERNATIVES:+0 me
ON WEST Slbe5 — Na7' BAST Sib,E .
1, Direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to modify the current Municipal Code
Section 18.31(133) to establish a "No Parking" regulation along the east side of
Jensen Avenue from 20th Street to 24th Street for all hours of the day.
2. Do not modify the parking regulations along this segment of Jensen Avenue.
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MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This is a challenging situation, since some of the Jensen residents who responded to
staff support the parking prohibition while others oppose it. Prohibiting parking on one
side would indeed reduce the available supply of parking for residents and their visitors.
On the other hand, this prohibition would make the parking regulations consistent for the
entire length of Jensen Avenue. It would also be consistent with current City policy
along residential streets of similar width and classification. This restriction may also
provide better access for emergency vehicles such as Fire, Ambulance, and Police.
Therefore, it is the City Manager's recommendation that the City Council adopt
Alternative No. 1, thereby directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to modify the
current Municipal Code to establish a "No Parking" regulation along the east side of
Jensen Avenue from 20th Street to 24th Street for all hours of the day.
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