CITY COUNCIL: Traffic & Safety Committee Recommendations to Add Designated Parking Stalls Surrounding the Golden Bough Theatre

Meeting Date: January 5, 2010
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng & Bldg Services Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of recommendations from the Traffic and Safety Committee to add designated parking stalls along Monte Verde and Casanova Streets between Eighth and Ninth Avenues surrounding the Golden Bough Theatre.

Description: The proposal includes formally designating on-street parking stalls on both Monte Verde and Casanova Streets and the designation of a loading zone in front of the Golden Bough Theatre on Casanova Street.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Direct staff to mark the parking stalls.

Important Considerations: The neighborhood surrounding the Golden Bough Theatre experiences parking congestion, particularly during performances. Marking the parking stalls along the street will limit problems that arise when vehicles park too close to driveways or otherwise park inappropriately.

Decision Record: The Traffic and Safety Committee recommended approval of the parking stalls on 24 September 2009.

Reviewed by:

__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: SEAN CONROY, SENIOR PLANNER
DATE: JANUARY 5, 2010
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY COMMITTEE TO ADD DESIGNATED PARKING STALLS ALONG MONTE VERDE AND CASANOVA STREETS BETWEEN EIGHTH AND NINTH AVENUES SURROUNDING THE GOLDEN BOUGH THEATRE

BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION
The Golden Bough Theatre is located on the west side of Monte Verde Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues and is surrounded by single-family residences. Earlier this year, several neighbors expressed concern to the City about Theatre operations. Among their concerns:

• Parked cars block entrances to front walkways and/or driveways.
• Parking congestion limits access for emergency vehicles, particularly on Casanova Street.
• Vehicles park illegally on private property.
• Limited parking in the area for residents.

The City sent notices to all property owners surrounding the Theatre saying that the City was considering formally designating parking stalls along the street and requested public comment. The City received 15 comments (see attached summary), the vast majority of which supported designating the stalls. The primary concern was that adequate space be left adjacent to driveways to ensure safe ingress and egress.

The Traffic and Safety Committee reviewed this issue on 24 September 2009 and recommended to City Council:

• Designate formal parking stalls along Monte Verde Street and Casanova Street.
• Ensure that adequate space is provided adjacent to each driveway to ensure safe ingress and egress.
• Convert the parking spaces in front of the Theatre on Casanova Street to drop off/pick up only.

EVALUATION
Parking congestion and limited on-street parking are problems not unique to this area. The operation of the Theatre, however, creates some unique challenges. In order to maintain the informal, residential character, most streets in the R-1 District do not have formal designated parking stalls.

Staff, however, supports designating parking stalls at this location to improve parking and circulation for the neighboring residents and for Theatre patrons. Having designated parking stalls will reduce potential conflicts between patrons and residents, improve parking in the area, and will simplify parking enforcement for the City.

RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to designate parking stalls along Monte Verde Street and Casanova Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues and designate a loading/unloading area in front of the Golden Bough Theatre on Casanova Street.