AGENDA #5d
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Request to Establishing On-Street Parking on Hillview Road
DATE: February 14, 2005
The following report is in response to a request submitted by Ms. Anne Demaine requesting that the Council consider establishing on-street parking on one or both sides of Hillview Road. Please refer to the attached map (Attachment 1).
We do not recommend changes to the existing on-street parking regulations on Hillview Road.
The Engineering Department received a request from Ms. Anne Demaine, 1215 Hillview Road, asking that the Council consider establishing on-street parking on one or both sides of Hillview Road. Ms. Demaine stated that the residents should be allowed to park their cars on the street and that guests were unable to park on the street due to the existing on-street parking restrictions on Hillview Road.
Hillview Road is 24 feet wide, paved, with curb-and-gutter but without sidewalks. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. The current parking regulations prohibit on-street parking at all times on both sides of Hillview Road.
DISCUSSION
We conducted field observations at various times on different days. Residences located on Hillview Road have driveways, and we believe that adequate off-street parking is available. As a result of the relatively low traffic volumes, we did not observe significant traffic congestion problems on Hillview Road.
Establishing on-street parking on one side of the Hillview Road would reduce the available travel width of the street to less than 16 feet, which is not suitable for two-way traffic. We reviewed this request with Town Fire Department staff, who indicated that allowing on-street parking on Hillview Road could reduce visibility, access, and maneuvering room to unacceptable levels for fire apparatus operations. The Fire Department recommends the existing on-street parking restrictions remain in effect on Hillview Road for public safety and access reasons.
We prepared and distributed a survey form to the residents on Hillview Road and solicited comments regarding the requested on-street parking regulations. A copy of the survey form is provided in Attachment 2 . We distributed 18 survey forms and 14 were returned. Survey results are provided below:
· 3 support on-street parking on both sides of Hillview Road.
· 9 do not support changes to existing on-street parking regulations on Hillview Road.
· 1 has no preference.
· 1 vacant property (survey returned by post office).
Based on the survey results, a majority of the Hillview Road residents do not want changes to the existing on-street parking regulations.
CONCLUSION
Based on the staff investigations, survey results, and Fire Department review, we suggest that the existing on-street parking regulations on Hillview Road remain unchanged. The existing on-street parking restrictions on both sides of Hillview Road maintain sufficient street width for two-way traffic circulation and provide for adequate sight distance at driveways.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
That the Council take no action on the request to allow on-street parking on Hillview Road.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Area Map (p. 3).
2. Copy of the Survey Letter (p. 4).