CITY COUNCIL: "Resident Only" Parking Zone

Meeting Date: March 4, 2008
Prepared by: George E. Rawson

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution establishing a “Resident Only” parking zone for
the Mountain View Avenue south frontage road, located between Eighth Avenue and two homes west of Santa Rita Street.

Description: Residents on the frontage road that abuts the south edge of Mountain View Avenue, between Santa Fe Street and Eighth Street, are prevented access to and from their homes by non-resident parkers. The problem is most notable during Forest Theater events. A resident only parking restriction is needed to ensure resident and emergency vehicle access.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: Materials: $ 750
Grant Funds: $ 0

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council approve designating the
Mountain View Avenue south frontage road, between Santa Fe Street and Eighth Avenue as a “Resident Parking Only” parking zone.

Important Considerations: No other off-street parking is available to the five residents on this frontage road. The General Plan provides authority to regulate nonresident parking in residential districts.

Decision Record: None

Reviewed by:

______________________________ _________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date


CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 17, 2008
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A “RESIDENT ONLY” PARKING ZONE FOR THE MOUNTAIN VIEW SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD, BETWEEN EIGHTH AVENUE AND 2 HOMES WEST OF SANTA RITA STREET
_________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND:
On October 1, 2007 the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea received correspondence from Mr. Kipp Stewart, a resident on Mountain View Street, concerning a parking problem. A copy of his correspondence is attached as Exhibit “A.” Mr. Stewart, representing himself and his neighbor Maria George, reports that a parking problem occurs on a narrow frontage road that runs parallel to five homes on the south side of Mountain View between 8th Avenue and two homes west of Santa Rita Street. This frontage road is the only vehicular access the five residents have for parking in front of their homes. On occasions when events occur at the Forest Theater, attendees use this frontage road for parking. When this occurs, a double parking situation develops which blocks the frontage road thoroughfare. This becomes a serious problem because resident vehicles can neither leave nor return to their respective parking area in front of their homes.

Also, fire truck access becomes impossible. Residents have attempted to reason with nonresidents parking in the area. These contacts have resulted in confrontations and/or belligerence and consequently the problem continues to persist.

Mr. Stewart is requesting assistance from the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea to post “resident only” parking signs as a solution to the problem.

STAFF REVIEW:
Staff has confirmed the frontage road is a public roadway that qualifies for parking regulations in accordance with the Municipal Code. Five homes are located on the south side of this frontage road, between Eighth Avenue to two homes west of Santa Rita Street. The frontage road abuts the south side of Mountain View, and there are two access points at the extreme west and east end points of the frontage road. A sketch of the site is attached as Exhibit “B.”

The frontage road serves two purposes. It functions as a thoroughfare for the five residents leaving and returning home. It also serves as a parking area for residents and visitors. In an effort to preserve an orderly traffic flow and protect ingress/egress to parking, it would be appropriate to establish the frontage road as a “Resident Only” parking zone. Doing so would be in agreement with General Plan Policy 1-3 which states the “City should consider prohibiting onstreet parking in certain areas of the R-1 district for nonresidential purposes as part of Citywide
parking management program.” The adverse impacts caused by non-resident parking on the frontage road need to be mitigated and in accordance to the General Plan, staff believes it would be appropriate to designate the frontage road as a “resident only” parking zone. Residents and/or owners of the five homes on the frontage road are in support of the “resident only” parking designation; refer to Exhibit “C” memorandum dated November 2, 2007 by Sergeant Michael Calhoun.

FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost for “Resident Parking Only” signs is $750. Public works staff time for labor is estimated at $250.

SUMMARY:
Designating the frontage road that parallels the southern edge of Mountain View between Eighth and Santa Rita, as a “Resident Only” parking zone will ensure easy in and out access for the five residents whose homes abut the frontage road. The General Plan establishes the authority for making such a designation of a public maintained street.


CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA ESTABLISHING A “RESIDENT ONLY” PARKING ZONE FOR THE MOUNTAIN VIEW SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD, BETWEEN EIGHTH AVENUE AND TWO HOMES WEST OF SANTA RITA STREET

WHEREAS, the Mountain View south frontage road is a narrow thoroughfare that serves
also as the only available parking for five Mountain View frontage road residents; and

WHEREAS, non-resident parkers impede emergency vehicle and resident accessibility to
homes and parking areas on the Mountain View frontage road; and

WHEREAS, General Plan Policy 1-3 reads that the City should “consider prohibiting onstreet parking in certain areas of the R-1 District for nonresidential purposes as part of a Citywide parking management program;” and

WHEREAS, Section 22507 of the California Vehicle Code permits local authorities to
establish by Resolution preferential parking privileges for residents and their guests under a permit program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:

1. Authorize establishing a “Resident Only” parking zone for the Mountain View south
frontage road, which extends from Eighth Avenue to 2 homes west of Santa Rita
Street.

2. Authorize appropriate signs be posted giving notice of a “Resident Parking Only”
zone on the Mountain View south frontage road.

3. Approve up to $750 from Account # 01-76045 to purchase and post signs.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY- THE-SEA this March 4, 2008 by the following roll call vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
SIGNED:

_________________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk

ATTEST:

______________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR