AGENDA #4c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Changes to On-Street Parking Regulations on the South Side of North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street
DATE: April 25, 2005
The following information responds to a request submitted by Mr. Kent Evans requesting that the time-limit be extended for on-street “parking by residential permit only” on the south side of North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street. Please refer to the attached map (Attachment 1).
The attached ordinance would extend the hours of “parking by residential permit only” from 9 am-4 pm to 9 am-7 pm, Monday through Friday, on the south side of North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street.
We recommend enactment of the attached ordinance.
The Engineering Department received a request from Mr. Kent Evans, 403 North Street, asking that the Council consider extending the time-limit of the existing on-street “parking by residential permit only” restriction on the south side of North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street. Mr. Evans stated that student commuters and University visitors regularly park on the south side of North Street after 4:00 pm, thus reducing available parking for North Street residents upon their return from work at the end of the day.
North Street is 26 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 on the north side at all times, and vehicles are permitted to park by residential permit only on most of the south side of the street between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
DISCUSSION
We conducted field observations at various times on different days. We observed a number of drivers parking their vehicles on North Street after 4:00 pm, and leaving the neighborhood on foot.
We prepared and distributed a survey form to residents on North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street, and solicited comments regarding the requested change in on-street parking regulations. A copy of the survey form is provided in Attachment 2. We distributed 21 survey forms and 14 were returned. Survey results are provided below:
· seven supported extending the existing on-street “parking by residential permit only” regulation to 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
· three supported extending the existing on-street “parking by residential permit only” regulation from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday.
· two did not support any change in existing on-street parking regulations.
· Two survey forms were returned by the post office (from unoccupied properties).
Based on the survey results, at least 10 residents within the survey area support some extension of the existing on-street “parking by residential permit only” regulations. Seven residents within the survey area supported extending the on-street parking regulations to 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. However, we are concerned about regulating on-street parking unless clearly necessary. Therefore, we suggest extending the period of regulated on-street parking by three hours (from 4 pm to 7 pm, Monday through Friday) as a first step, rather than restricting parking at all times.
If the Council enacts the suggested change, we will monitor on-street parking on North Street, and propose further restrictions if necessary to reasonably accommodate residents’ needs.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The Manager recommends enactment of the attached ordinance that would change the existing on-street “parking by residential permit only” regulations from 9:00 am-4:00 pm to 9:00 am-7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, on the south side of North Street between Hillsborough Street and Boundary Street.
ATTACHMENTS
2. Copy of the Survey Letter (p. 5).
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING NO PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT BY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT (2005-04-25/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-27.9 (d) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is hereby amended by deleting the following:
“Street Side From To
North Street South Hillsborough Street Glenburnie Street”
Section 2. Section 21-27.9 (d) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is hereby amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:
“Street Side From To
North Street South Boundary Street Glenburnie Street”
Section 3. Section 21-27.9 of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is here by amended by adding the following new section:
(g) 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Section 4. Section 21-27.9 (g) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is hereby amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:
“Street Side From To
North Street South Hillsborough Street Boundary Street”
Section 5. This Ordinance shall become effective May 24, 2005.
This the 25th day of April, 2005.