AGENDA #4g
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit” Regulations on Parkridge Avenue in the Meadowmont Development
DATE: June 15, 2005
The following information responds to a petition submitted by several residents of Meadowmont requesting that the on-street parking be restricted on Parkridge Avenue as shown on the attached map (Attachment 1).
Ordinance A would implement on-street parking regulations on Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road to “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit”.
Ordinance B would authorize the Town Manager to issue special parking permits in accordance with Town Code 21-27.2.2.
We recommend enactment of Ordinances A and B.
At its May 23, 2005 meeting, the Council received a petition from several residents of Parkridge Avenue in the Meadowmont community requesting on-street parking restrictions on Parkridge Avenue. The petitioners expressed the following concerns:
· During soccer games at the nearby fields, parents and visitors often park on both sides of Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road.
· When cars are parked on both sides of Parkridge Avenue, travel lanes are constricted resulting in traffic congestion and limiting access for emergency and routine service vehicles.
· Residents of Parkridge Avenue and their guests are often unable to find convenient on-street parking during soccer games.
A copy of the petition and related e-mails from residents are provided in Attachment 2.
Parkridge Avenue is 27 feet wide, paved, with curb-and-gutter on both sides and a sidewalk on one side. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. The current parking regulations allow on-street parking on both sides of the street at all times.
The soccer field near Parkridge Avenue is maintained by the Town. The agreement between the Town and soccer associations that use the field calls for players and patrons to park in the lots at the nearby school. Parents, players and visitors were informed by the soccer associations of this parking agreement and they were told not to park on Parkridge Avenue during games or practices.
DISCUSSION
We conducted field observations at various times on different days during soccer games. We noted that available on-street parking was completely occupied during soccer games. This resulted in significantly constricted travel lane widths at some locations along Parkridge Avenue when parked cars fully lined both sides of the streets.
We prepared and distributed a survey form to area residents, and solicited comments regarding the requested change in on-street parking regulations. A copy of the survey form is provided in Attachment 3. We distributed 10 survey forms and 10 were returned. Survey results are provided below:
· One supported prohibiting on-street parking at all times on both sides of Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road.
· Nine supported “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit” on both sides of Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road.
Based on our observations, the neighborhood survey results, and discussions with the Meadowmont Community Association and Rainbow Soccer Association, we believe that restricting on-street parking to “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit” would address the residents’ parking concerns and would preserve the available on-street parking for use by neighborhood residents and their guests, rather than it being dominated by soccer patrons during games.
Section 21-27.2.2 of the Town Code, Special Parking Permits, authorizes the Town Manager to issue special parking permits. Ordinance B is prepared in accordance Section 21-27.2.2. The “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit” regulation would allow an eligible resident to obtain a parking permit and two guest parking permits per dwelling unit.
If the Council enacts the suggested change, we will monitor on-street parking on Parkridge Avenue, and implement periodic enforcement if necessary.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The Manager recommends enactment of the attached ordinances that would implement “No Parking Anytime Except by Residential Permit” on Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road.
ATTACHMENTS
ORDINANCE A
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING NO PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT BY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT (2005-06-15/O-1a)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-27.8 of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is hereby amended by adding the following in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Street Side From To
Parkridge Avenue Both Simerville Road Simerville Road”
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective July 18, 2005.
This the 15th day of June, 2005.
ORDINANCE B
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING ON-STREET PARKING (2005-06-15/O-1b)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-27.2.2 of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Special parking permit” is hereby amended by adding the following in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Parkridge Avenue between Simerville Road and Simerville Road”
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective July 18, 2005.
This the 15th day of June, 2005.