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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_011194TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE URIAH CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 11, 1994 5:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT Beard, Bill Fernandez, William Ford, Stephen Harris, Michael Kennedy, Rick Chairman Steve Turner MEMBERS ABSENT Budrow, Ken STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary Larry DeKnoblough Redevelopment Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT Bertha Hinojosa Samuel T. Hair The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at 5:33 P.M. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Rick Kennedy made the following correction on Page 3, Paragraph 3, add the word perpendicular, the sentence to read: "Rick Kennedy advised he is opposed to perpendicular on-street parking in the cul-de-sac." Page 3, Paragraph 8, delete the sentence and applicant has made the request to antagonize the neighborhood, the sentence to read: " the resident across the street will require one; questioned the use of public funds for the installation and maintenance of the parking space." ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Beard, it was carried by a consensus vote to approve the Traffic Engineering minutes of December 14, 1993, as corrected. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 1 DISCIISSION/ACTION ITEMS a. Reconsideration of Handicapped Parking at 225 Arlington Drive - Bertha Hinoiosa Chairman Turner advised Staff received comments from the neighbors opposing the request for a handicap parking space at 225 Arlington Drive, and the establishment of handicap parking spaces in residential areas as opposed to commercial districts. Rick Kennedy distributed to the Committee a copy of his memorandum dated December 13, 1993 to the City Manager. He advised he received telephone calls from neighbors opposing the request for a handicap parking space, and the statements made were in conflict with statements made by the applicant, such as the reasons for a handicap parking space. Comments and concerns expressed by the neighbors raised questions on policy issues, such as conditions warranting the granting of on-street preferential parking spaces for the disabled in a residential areas, and who is responsible for the cost of installation and maintenance of the sign, and painting of the curb. Chairman Turner inquired what circumstances warrants the granting of off-street preferential parking in neighborhoods as opposed to commercial districts. Rick Kennedy advised if an individual is not able to use the driveway approach (curb cut) for loading/unloading, this may warrant the granting of a preferential parking space in a residential area. There are currently no standard conditions for handicap parking spaces within residential areas. He noted a preferential parking space is not needed in a residential area; however, in an R-3 zone (apartments/complexes) on-street parking may be limited and may warrant an on-street preferential parking space. Michael Harris advised residential areas are required to have adequate on-site parking to accommodate the handicap. Stephen Ford inquired about group/rest homes for loading and unloading handicap individuals. Michael Harris advised group\rest homes are required to have on-site parking for handicap. Mrs. Hinojosa had no further comments. Michael Harris advised it is the responsibility of the applicant making the special request to pay for the cost of installation, maintenance, and application fee. Chairman Turner advised the curb cut for a driveway is acceptable ramping for loading and unloading a handicap individual. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 2 Stephen Ford advised a preferential parking space is for the exclusive use of any vehicle displaying a handicap parking sticker or placque. Larry DeKnoblough, Redevelopment Coordinator, advised there currently is a parking district administration and funding mechanism to fund improvements and maintain those improvements. In a residential zone there are no funds for improvements and maintenance. The ADA does not address private residential public curbs; however, the ADA does address radiuses for access to public sidewalk areas. New structures within the Parking District are required to meet parking requirements. The number of required handicap parking spaces are based on the space and square footage of each new construction, and is the responsibility of the business owner. The Parking District was established due to building setbacks. William Fernandez advised the applicant could load and unload her handicap mother at the curb cut for the driveway. There would be no cost to the applicant or City for installation and maintenance of the handicap sign. Discussion followed regarding Staff would install the handicap sign due to the possibility of underground utilities, and perform the maintenance of the sign; businesses are required to have adequate on-site preferential parking space; the ADA requires curb cuts between public sidewalk and street level, and requires cities to implement these improvements; a residential location where there is no access (curb cut) from street level to the sidewalk level may be a special warrant to allow the creation of a handicap parking location; commercial areas outside the Downtown Parking District add to the General Fund and are responsible for development of adequate on-site parking; and the Parking District established because of impacted parking areas. ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Kennedy, it was carried by a consensus vote, the Traffic Engineering Committee concluded in the matter of preferential on-street parking there must be warrants to grant a preferential parking space for the disabled, and if a preferential parking space is established based on the warrants, the installation and maintenance of the parking space is the responsibility of the applicant. The warrants are: 1) Lack of accessibility to a vehicle on the property; and 2) and there is no driveway on the property. ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Beard, it was carried by a consensus vote, the Traffic Engineering Committee respectively deny the request for a handicapped parking space at 225 Arlington Drive based on the fact the property has accessibility and a driveway on the property. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 3 b. Handicaooed Parkins for Courthouse Chairman Turner advised this item is a response to a newspaper article in the Christmas Eve issue of the Ukiah Daily Journal. Bill Beard advised the Committee had previously received a request to establish a handicap parking space in the vicinity of the Courthouse block. A major concern at that time is the parallel parking spaces around the Courthouse block, and the driver existing the vehicle parked parallel with the curb, would exit into the travel lane of the street. Handicap parking was considered on School Street within the Courthouse block. However, there is parking for Police and Sheriff vehicles, and the north end is public parking. To establish a handicap parking space at School and Standley Streets would involve constructing a ramp from the parking space up to the top curb, and would involve drainage problems in the curb and gutter. A diagonal handicap parking space was established at the southwest corner of Perkins and School Street intersection, located in front of the old Ben Franklin store. This particular site seemed appropriate because the handicap access to the Courthouse is on the south side of the Courthouse on Perkins Street. Larry DeKnoblough, Redevelopment Coordinator, advised there will be several comprehensive changes to the Parking District. Handicap parking is lacking throughout downtown including public parking lots, and will be addressed in the Redevelopment program. The Vehicle Code provides a mechanism for the City Council to make changes in the Parking District by resolution. In the Redevelopment Agreement between the City and County, there are nine (9) parking spaces along School Street dedicated for County use. Chairman Turner inquired if handicap parking space is addressed in the Redevelopment District Agreement between the City and County within the nine (9) parking spaces. Larry DeKnoblough responded handicap parking was not addressed in the Agreement. The parking spaces are referred to as public parking. He noted there is adequate public parking to provide a handicap parking space without requiring a parking space from County parking. Samuel T. Hair, 2101 South State Street. He expressed there have been laws in effect for 25 years for cities and counties to provide handicap accessibility. A handicap person should not have to cross the street to get to the Courthouse. There is prisoner parking and there are not many prisoners going into the Courthouse throughout the day. The only location for a handicap parking space is the west end where the Sheriff parking is located. The handicap parking located in front of the old book store is not acceptable for public safety. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 4 Michael Harris advised the intersection at Perkins and School Street is a controlled intersection. Discussion followed regarding establishing a handicap parking space at the northeast corner of Perkins and School Streets in the first two parking spaces, and a ramp would be required; safety of the driver exiting the vehicle into a travel lane; and length of time it takes for a handicap person to cross the School Street. Larry DeKnoblough advised the code does provide the Director of Public Works the authority to design and implement handicap spaces. Rick Kennedy advised Section 7251 is non-conforming with the Vehicle Code. This was adopted in 1980, Ordinance 753. The Vehicle Code specifically states a resolution or ordinance is required by the local agency for on-street preferential parking spaces. The City Public Works Department shall designated special blue curb parking spaces for the purpose of providing on-street parking for exclusive use of the physically handicapped person. Section 7252 - off-Street for Publicly-Owned Facilities - the City Public Works Department shall designate parking stalls of spaces in publicly-owned, leased or controlled off-street parking facilities for the exclusive use of physically handicapped persons. Public Works may inform the County to have an adequate number of off- street parking spaces for the physically handicapped. ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Fernandez, it was carried by a consensus vote the Traffic Engineering Committee request the Director of Public Works approve the design and funding for a handicap parking space on the east side of School Street between Perkins Street and Standley Street most appropriate to usability by handicap persons. The design of the handicap parking space shall be submitted to the City Council at their regular scheduled meeting of February 2, 1994. The Director of Public Works shall notify the Downtown Merchants Association of the design and potential lose parking. The Director of Pubic Works shall discuss with the County of Mendocino the requirements for the nine (9) parking spaces relative to the Redevelopment Agreement for handicap parking spaces. Bill Beard advised there is no criteria on distance from a handicap parking space to a public facility or business and the crossing of streets. Public parking spaces are also available for use for the physically handicapped. Chairman Turner advised the Downtown Master Plan should consider how many handicap parking spaces are appropriate and located within the downtown area. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 5 Bill Beard noted within the next two years the Courthouse offices will be relocating. c. Posting of No Parking on Airport Park Boulevard - Information Item Onlv Bill Beard advised the traffic lanes are not wide enough to provide adequate on-street parking. There is adequate on-site parking provided. There is on-street parking on Commerce Drive. Michael Harris advised the Court Judges be notified of the posting of "No Parking on Airport Park Boulevard". There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Steve Turner, Chairman r t r ~ ~aF~~ ~~4 ~ ~c~ 1~ Kathy Kinch,~Recording S cretary B:1\TEC M011293 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 1993 6