AGENDA #4d
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Changes in On-Street Parking Regulations on Parkridge Avenue in the Meadowmont Community
DATE: November 9, 2005
Enactment of the attached ordinance would implement changes in on-street parking regulations on Parkridge Avenue from “no parking anytime except by residential permit” to “no standing, stopping, or parking anytime except by residential permit”. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend enactment of the attached ordinance.
At its June 15, 2005 meeting, the Council approved implementation of “no parking anytime except by residential permit” on Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road. The Council approved the changes in response to a petition from residents of Parkridge Avenue in the Meadowmont community. A copy of the June 15, 2005 Council report is provided in Attachment 2.
The Council approved the on-street parking restrictions on Parkridge Avenue for the following reasons:
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.
The on-street parking restrictions on Parkridge Avenue were implemented in July 2005.
Town staff and several local residents observed traffic and parking conditions on Parkridge Avenue after implementation of on-street parking restrictions. Our field observations indicated that parents and visitors continue to park and wait in their cars on Parkridge Avenue for prolonged periods of time during and after soccer games and practices to pick-up players. The waiting cars often result in congestion and constricted travel lane widths on Parkridge Avenue and at its intersections with Simerville Road. It appears that the “no parking anytime except by residential permit” regulations now in place are not effectively reducing on-street parking by parents and visitors during and after events at the adjacent soccer field.
Based on our observations and discussions with the Meadowmont Community Association, we recommend changing the existing “no parking anytime except by residential permit” to “no standing, stopping, and parking anytime except by residential permit”.
In addition to the above proposed change, the Parks and Recreation Department proposes to adjust its game and practice schedule to limit the number of youth soccer teams (with players below driving age requiring adult pick-up and drop-off) using this soccer field beginning in the upcoming spring season. We believe that this scheduling change will help reduce traffic on Parkridge Avenue related to parking and waiting for soccer players.
If the Council enacts the changes, we will continue to work with the neighborhood to monitor on-street parking on Parkridge Avenue, and we will implement periodic enforcement and other actions as necessary.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The Manager recommends enactment of the attached ordinance that would implement changes in on-street parking regulations on Parkridge Avenue between its intersections with Simerville Road from “no parking anytime except by residential permit” to “no standing, stopping, or parking anytime except by residential permit”.
ATTACHMENTS
Area Map (p. 4).
June 15, 2005 Council Report #4g (p. 5).
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING NO PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT BY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT (2005-11-09/O-2)
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 deleting the following in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Street Side From To
Parkridge Avenue Both Simerville Road Simerville Road”
Section 2. Section 21-27.8 of the Town Code of Ordinances, “No parking anytime except by residential permit” is hereby amended by adding the following new section:
(b) No standing, stopping, or parking anytime except by residential permit
“Street Side From To
Parkridge Avenue Both Simerville Road Simerville Road”
Section 3. This ordinance shall become effective November 23, 2005.
This the 9th day of November, 2005.