AGENDA #5b

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:      Status Report on Cameron Avenue Parking Meters

DATE:                        June 27, 2005

This report provides information regarding the proposed installation of parking meters on Cameron Avenue.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

At its November 8, 2004 meeting, the Town Council approved the following changes to the existing traffic control regulations on Cameron Avenue between Merritt Mill Road and Pittsboro Street:

• Establish 5-foot wide striped bike lanes on both sides, two 12-foot wide travel lanes, and a 10-foot wide parking lane on the north side. 
• Install metered parking with four-hour limit except in existing no parking areas on the north side.

• Prohibit on-street parking on the south side.

A diagram of the approved lane configuration is provided in Attachment 1.  The approved pavement markings were installed in January 2005.

At its January 24, 2005 meeting, the Council received a petition from Mr. Tom Biek, 428 West Cameron Avenue, requesting that parking meters not be installed on Cameron Avenue.  In his petition, Mr. Biek stated that he generally supports the changes in lane configuration and parking on Cameron Avenue, but he does not believe that it is appropriate to install parking meters as approved by the Council.  Mr. Biek further stated that the installation of parking meters on Cameron Avenue would be in violation of the Town’s Historic District development guidelines since the meters were not approved by the Historic District Commission.

The Town Council subsequently referred Mr. Biek’s petition to the Manager and to the Historic District Commission.  A copy of the petition and minutes of January 24, 2005 Council meeting are provided in Attachment 2.

Section 3.6.2. (b) (3) of the Town Land Use Management Ordinance relating to Historic Districts states the following:

“The town and all public utility companies shall be required to obtain a certificate of appropriateness prior to initiating any changes in the character of street paving, sidewalks, utility installations, lighting, walls, fences, structures, and buildings on property, easements, or streets owned or franchised by the Town of Chapel Hill or public utility companies.”

We submitted an application to the Historic District Commission requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of parking meters on Cameron Avenue.  In the application, we provided two different styles of parking meters for the Commission’s consideration.  At its May 12, 2005 meeting, the Historic District Commission denied the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of parking meters on Cameron Avenue, stating that the installation and appearance of parking meters on Cameron Avenue would not preserve the historic nature of the area. 

A copy of the Historic District Commission’s letter of denial is provided in Attachment 3. 

We agree that under the current LUMO regulations, the Historic District Commission has authority to review and approve or deny issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for changes in traffic signs and markings, parking meters and other physical traffic control measures in Town Historic Districts.  However, we also believe that the Commission’s decisions could sometimes conflict with the Town Code regarding standards for traffic control measures as defined by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

We think that the Town Council, with consideration of recommendations from boards and commissions, should make the final decision on matters relating to the installation of physical traffic control measures including traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, parking meters, and traffic calming devices.  This would include the installation of such measures in and around Town Historic Districts. 

We are concerned that the existing LUMO regulations will require us to apply for Certificate of Appropriateness for stop signs, speed limit signs, and other traffic regulatory signs. We have discussed this matter with the Town Attorney who suggested that we review and propose revised language in applicable sections of the LUMO regulations to clarify that the Council can consider recommendations of the Historic District Commission regarding traffic control measures in Town Historic Districts, but that a Certificate of Appropriateness would not be required for the installation of such measures if approved by the Council.

CONCLUSION

Unless otherwise directed by the Council, we will not install parking meters on Cameron Avenue at this time. Town Engineering staff will work with the Town Attorney and Planning Director to prepare suggested changes to the existing LUMO language relating to the installation of physical traffic control measures including traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, parking meters, and traffic calming devices within the Town’s jurisdiction, including Town Historic Districts.  We will provide a report and recommendations to the Town Council this fall. 

ATTACHMENTS

1.         Traffic Configuration Map for Cameron Avenue (p. 3).

2. Mr. Biek’s Petition and Minutes of January 25, 2005 Council Meeting (p. 4).

3. Letter from the Town Planning Department Denying Certificate of Appropriateness (p. 7).