AGENDA #11
MEMORANDUM
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director |
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Gene Poveromo, Development Coordinator |
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SUBJECT: |
Report on Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendments: Changes to Vehicular and Bicycle Parking Regulations |
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DATE: |
January 8, 2007 |
PURPOSE
This report provides an update on the Land Use Management Ordinance text amendments regarding changes to vehicular and bicycle parking regulations. We request guidance from the Council for next steps.
BACKGROUND
During the fall of 2003, we began work on a study of parking patterns in Chapel Hill. The purpose of the study was to determine how much parking is needed for different types of land use, specifically for Chapel Hill. The objective was to adjust the Town’s parking requirements that are contained in the Land Use Management Ordinance, based on empirical, local data, and most recent national standards. LSA Associates, Inc. was hired by the Town to complete the study.
On November 22, 2004, the Council received the consultant’s report and scheduled a Public Hearing for February 21, 2005. The consultant’s report provided a survey of select parking facilities and provided recommended parking requirements.
On February 21, 2005, the Council considered the study that had been prepared by the Town’s consultant and received comments from advisory boards and citizens. Of particular note was a recommendation from the Planning Board that a new approach be considered: eliminate all requirements for a minimum number of parking spaces that must be provided with new development, and instead impose only a maximum cap on the number of spaces that could be constructed. The Council asked that the idea be referred to advisory boards for their review and input.
On May 23, 2005, the item returned to the Town Council with recommendations from the advisory boards. The Transportation Board had reviewed the ideas on May 17 and voted 7-0 to not support the proposed changes, and to ask for additional time for study of these ideas. At the May 23 meeting, the Council agreed by consensus to refer the parking item to the Transportation Board for further consideration of the Council comments. A copy of the May 23, 2005 item is attached.
On February 21, 2006, the Transportation Board was asked to provide additional comment on the proposed Land Use Management Ordinance text amendment regarding vehicular and bicycle parking regulations. The Transportation Board was asked to review the Summary Minutes of the May 23, 2005 Council meeting and provide the Council with further comments. At the meeting, the Board requested examples of the implications of the proposed parking regulations. On March 6, 2006, we provided the Transportation Board with four case studies for consideration.
On August 24, 2006, the Transportation Board provided a recommendation. The Board supported the Manager’s revised recommendation with a modification. A copy of the Transportation Board recommendation is attached.
NEXT STEPS
Given the amount of time that has passed since the May 2005 Public Hearing, we offer two possible options for revival of the proposed text amendments regarding bicycle and vehicular parking:
Other options could be considered as well. We request guidance from the Council.
ATTACHMENTS