AGENDA #5e

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM:	George Small, P.E., Engineering Director Loris Colclough, Interim Finance Director Brenda Jones, Parking Services Manager Kumar Neppalli, Engineering Services Manager
SUBJECT:	Response to a Petition Requesting Options for Parking Spaces for Tenants of the Courtyard
DATE:	January 28, 2008

PURPOSE

This report is in response to a petition requesting options for parking spaces for the tenants of the Courtyard building located at the corner of West Franklin Street and South Roberson Street.

We plan to issue up to 25 residential business parking permits to the tenants of the Courtyard building to park on the east side of South Roberson Street.  This is in addition to the 20 parking spaces provided on Cameron Avenue.

No action is required by the Council.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

At the October 8, 2007 Council meeting, Mr. Lex Alexander submitted a verbal petition requesting that the Town assist the tenants of the Courtyard in finding parking spaces in the vicinity of the Courtyard.  Mr. Alexander requested this due to the loss of their parking spaces in the adjacent parking lot because of an ongoing dispute between the property owners.  Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.

The current on-street parking regulations on South Roberson Street between West Franklin Street and Cameron Avenue are provided below:

• West side: no parking anytime
• East side: 6 metered parking spaces close to West Franklin Street and no parking except by residential permit (approximately 26 spaces) in the remaining area.

We have issued permits previously to those customers who run businesses out of buildings that lie within designated residential on-street parking areas. With the Courtyard being directly adjacent to a residential zone, and with only one residential permit having been issued on South Roberson Street, we think that the Town can issue 25 residential business parking permits to the tenants of the Courtyard without creating problems for area residents.  Please see Attachment 2 for Residential Business Permit Guidelines.

CONCLUSION

This temporary parking arrangement was discussed and agreed by Mr. Alexander and Downtown Partnership.  The Town staff will continue to work with the area businesses to find more parking within the next 6 to 8 months. Unless we receive different direction from the Council, we will issue the residential business permits to the tenants of the Courtyard so that they can park on the east side of South Roberson Street.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Area Map (p. 3).

2. Guidelines for Residential Business Permits (p. 4).