TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Ordinance to Amend Sunday Parking Regulations on West Rosemary Street and North Roberson Street
DATE: August 26, 2002
The attached ordinance would amend parking regulations to allow Sunday parking between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on West Rosemary Street and on North Roberson Street in the area of St. Joseph CME Church.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Current parking regulations prohibit parking on the north side of West Rosemary Street between North Roberson Street and North Graham Street. Parking is also prohibited on the west side of North Roberson Street between Rosemary Street and Whitaker Street. Traditionally, people attending Sunday morning services at First Baptist Church or at St. Joseph CME Church park in these areas and the regulations are not enforced.
We believe that the regulations should be amended to reflect the current Sunday parking practices. This change would allow those attending services to park close to their place of worship without fear of having their car ticketed and towed. It would also clarify parking regulations for people parking in these locations on Sunday morning for purposes other than attending church.
Similar Sunday parking regulations are in effect on portions of East Franklin Street, South Columbia Street, and West Cameron Avenue that are adjacent to churches.
Notices of the proposed changes were distributed in June to all residents of North Roberson Street and North Graham Street. Members of St Joseph CME Church also received notices. No negative comments were received regarding the proposed changes.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopt the attached ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING ON-STREET PARKING (2002-08-26/0-2)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-27.4 of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Parking allowed during certain hours on Sundays” is hereby amended by adding the following in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Street Side From To
West Rosemary North A point 25 feet west of A point 25 feet east of
Roberson Street Graham Street
North Roberson West A point 25 feet north of A point 25 feet south
West Rosemary Street of Whitaker Street
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective October 1, 2002.
This the 26th day of August, 2002.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN PARKING REGULATIONS
The Chapel Hill Police Department is considering recommending changes to the parking regulations on two streets in the Northside community. The recommended changes would bring the regulations on the two streets in questions into conformity with other streets in Town.
By Town ordinance, parking on the north side of West Rosemary Street between North Roberson Street and North Graham Street, and parking on the west side of North Roberson Street between West Rosemary Street and Whitaker Street is prohibited. However, traditionally these restrictions have not been enforced on Sundays while church services are in session.
Several years ago the parking regulations on streets adjacent to churches in other areas of downtown, most notably on East Franklin Street and South Columbia Street, were changed to allow Sunday parking between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This allowed those attending religious services to park close to their place of worship without fear of having their car ticketed and towed. We believe that the same changes would be appropriate in the area of West Rosemary and North Roberson Streets. However, we would like to have your input into the proposed changes before we proceed.
We propose that parking on the north side of West Rosemary Street between North Roberson Street and North Graham Street be changed from “No Parking Anytime” to “No Parking Except on Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.”. We also propose that the same change be made to the parking regulations on the west side of North Roberson Street from West Rosemary Street to Whitaker Street.
A map illustrating the proposed changes is on the back of this form.
Please send your comments and direct your questions to Lieutenant Tim Pressley at the Chapel Hill Police Department. He can be reached at 968-2760. His e-mail address is [email protected].
Thank you.
Gregg E. Jarvies
Chief of Police
