HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-09 City Council (3)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
5
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:FEBRUARY 9, 2004 CMR:140:04
SUBJECT:RESOLUTION APPROVING PROHIBITION OF PARKING
BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 10:00 A.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS ON
SEGMENTS OF GEORGIA AVENUE, DONALD DRIX~E AND
HUBBARTT DRFVE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution prohibiting parking between
9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on school days on segments of the 600 block of Georgia Avenue,
4100 block of Donald Drive and 4100 block of Hubbartt Drive where temporary no parking
signs are currently in place.
BACKGROUND
In November 2002, City staff, representatives of Gunn High School administration and
PTA, and residents of the Greenacres II neighborhood began working to address the traffic
safety and parking problems along Georgia Avenue related to Gunn High School commute
traffic. Three areas of concern to the neighborhood were identified: student parking in the
neighborhood, drop-off activity on Georgia Avenue near the path entrance to Gunn High,
and unsafe driving behaviors in the neighborhood associated with Gunn High traffic.
Following a neighborhood meeting in November, the Neighborhood Traffic Working Group
(NTWG) was formed to work directly with City staff and repol~ back at the larger
neighborhood-wide meetings.
In March 2003, at a second neighborhood meeting, residents agreed to a trial installation of
ten "No Parking 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on School Days (Except Commercial Vehicles)" signs
on Georgia Avenue betaveen Donald Drive and Hubbm~t Avenue, to address the immediate
parking and safety issues in the vicinity of the pathway entrance to Gunn High School. In
April, after field observations by staff and the NTWG confirmed that the student parking
had moved further into the neighborhood, the no parking zone was
extended into the cul-de-sac on Georgia and to sections of Donald Drive and Hubbartt
Drive.
CMR:140:04 Page 1 of 4
DISCUSSION
The results of the trial period for the no parking zones were presented at a neighborhood
meeting in June 2003. The data showed that student parking problems had largely been
eliminated on the street segments where the no parking signs were installed. Safety
conditions along Georgia in the vicinity of the walkway to Gunn High caused by the
confluence of traffic drop-off congestion and student parking have improved. The total
number of students parking in the neighborhood decreased by over 50 percent, but the
remaining student parking has moved to new sections of Georgia, Donald and Willmar.
In July 2003, staff conducted a formal survey of neighborhood residents to determine (1) the
level of support for retaining the existing signs on Georgia, Hubbartt and Donald, and (2)
the interest of residents of Wilhnar Drive, Wallis Court, Crosby Place, and additional
segments of Georgia Avenue and Donald Drive with new student parking problems to have
the si~as extended to their blocks. The results of the survey with staff recommendations
were reported to the residents in a letter in late September (Attachment B).
In summary, 62.5 percent of the residents of Georgia, Hubbartt and Donald responded to the
survey. A large majority (75 percent) of the respondents supported retaining the no parking
signs. Based on this response, staff recommends that these signs be retained. The response
rate for the other street segments surveyed was much lower and the responses more mixed.
There is no majority consensus to extend the no parking zones to these additional street
seganents at this time.
Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 10.44.010 permits the City Manager to restrict parking
for up to 4 months. California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22501 and PAMC Section
10.44.010 require Council to adopt a resolution making those restrictions permanent. Since
the four-month period has lapsed, the current signs are longer of any force and effect unless
duly established by resolution of the City Council.
]-he attached resolution formally adopts the existing parking restrictions on school days
from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on segments of the 600 block of Georgia Avenue, 4100 block of
Donald Drive, and 4100 block of Hubbartt Drive.
City/School Liaison Committee
While the elimination of student parking along Georgia has opened up sight lines and
reduced congestion during the morning commute period, Georgia Avenue in the vicinity of
the gate to Gunn is still heavily used as a school drop-off area. This year, the path and gate
are also being used by Terman Middle School students walking and biking to school, which
has complicated the traffic patterns and potential points of conflict between vehicles,
cyclists and pedestrians at the path entrance on Georgia Avenue.
CMR: 140:04 Page 2 of 4
This 1hatter was discussed by the City/School Liaison Committee at its November and
December meetings. Neighborhood residents addressed the Committee and requested joint
City and PAUSD action to address continuing safety concerns. Subsequently, City and
school district staff identified several actions based on the neighbhors’ concerns: (1) the
City installed "No Stopping" signs at the entrance to the Gunn path, to keep the area clear
for pedestrians and cyclists, (2) the District removed the high bushes lining the path and
replanted the area with low ~oundcover to improve sight lines, (3) the District agreed to
evaluate the need for baffles along the path to slow bike traffic before entering Georgia
Avenue, (4) the District a~eed to have the principal of Gunn High send out a letter
requesting that .parents not use Georgia Avenue for drop-offs and informing them of the
danger they pose to other student pedestrians and cyclists.
The Committee wil! receive an update from staff on the results of the new measures in
February. However, staff reminded the Committee and neighbors that the long-term solution
to the Georgia traffic issues is to improve the Charleston/Arastradero corridor, to make the
commute to Gunn on Arastradero and the drop-off inside the school campus more
convenient and attractive.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The cost of sign maintenance and enforcement will be absorbed by the Public Works and
Police Departments, respectively.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This action is consistent with Comprehensive Plan Pro~am T-47 "utilize engineering,
enforcement, and educational tools to improve traffic safety on City roadways."
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Minor operational improvements are categorically exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines section 15301. No further environmental
assessment is necessary.
CMR: 140:04 Page 3 of 4
ATTACHMENTS
A.Resolution Restricting Parking on Georgia, Hubbartt and Donald
B.September 30, 2003 Letter re results of resident survey
C.February 3, 2004 Letter to Residents
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Transportation Projects Manager
(/S;fEVE EMSLIE
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 140:04 Page 4 of 4
NOT YET APPROVED ATTACHMENT
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO APPROVING AND ADOPTING A NEW NO PARKING
ZONE BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND !0:00 A.M. ON SCHOOL
DAYS (EXCEPT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES) ON SEGMENTS OF
GEORGIA AVENUE, DONALD DRIVE AND HUBBARTT DRIVE
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish a new zone where
parking shall be~prohibited on school days between 9:00 a.m. and
i0:00 a.m. in order to maintain the safe, orderly flow of
pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic in the City of Palo
Alto; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 22507 and Palo
Alto Municipal code section 10.44.010 enable the City Council to
establish by resolution such parking restrictions or
prohibitions as may be necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does hereby RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION !. The Council hereby establishes a "No Parking
9:00 a.m. to i0:00 a.m. on school days (Except Commercial
Vehicles defined in California Vehicle Code section 260)" zone
on both sides of Georgia Avenue, Hubbartt Drive and Donald Drive
as identified in Exhibit ~A" attached hereto and incorporated by
reference.
SECTION 2. A school day is any weekday during the
regular or summer school session when the Palo Alto Unified
Schoo! District conducts classes.
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040202 sm825~13 1
NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 3. The Council finds that this project is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act under Class 1 (minor alterations to existing public
facilities)and no further environmental assessment is
necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager
City Attorney Director of Planning and
Community Environment
Chief Transportation Official
040202 sm 8250013 2
651
=658=-%
665 ,41 62 4175 66O
669 ,41 68
City c fIPaloAlto _
Proposed
"No Parking 9-!0 a.m." zones
on Georgia Avenue,
Donald Drive and
Hubbartt Drive
This mad is a product of the
CiW of Palo Alto GIS
EXHIBIT A
c’200"
SepCember 30, 2003
Cityof Palo Alto
Department of Planning and
Communi~/ Enviromnent
ATTACHMENTB
Dear Resident,
Transportation
Division
We have’compteted the tarry of the format survey of neighborhood residents to
determine (1) the [eve[ of support for retaining the existing No Parking 9-10 a.m.
signs on Georgia, Hubbartt and Donatd, and (2) the interest of residents of Wittmar
Drive, Wa[[is Court, Crosby Place, and segments of Georgia Avenue and Donald Drive
to have the signs extended to their btocks. The comptete resutts are provided as an
attachment.
Survey Results for Street Segments with No Parking Signs
For residents of the segments of Georgia, Donald and Hubbartt that currently have
No Parking 9-10 a.m. signs, 40 survey cards were received out of 64 total househotds,
a 62.5% response rate. A large majority of the respondents support retaining the No
Parking signs:
~grvey Response # Responses
Support retaining signs 30
Support removing signs 8
Wants another sotution 2
Totat responses 40
% responses
75%
2O%
5%
100%
Based on this majority positive response, staff recommends that these signs be
retained. Staff wilt prepare a format Resolution estabtishing the parking restriction
~^~ City r .....;’ approval in [ate,~~-~u, ,~,~~, ,~, ~ November.
2. Survey Response for Street Segments without No Parking Signs
The response rate for the other street segments surveyed was much lower and the
responses much more mixed:
Georgia Avenue -
Hubbartt Avenue -
Wit[mar Drive -
Wattis Court-
Crosby Place -
Donatd Drive-
3 of 11 households responded, 2 supports extending the signs, 1
might tater if parking problem extends further
4 of 9 households responded, 2 wanted signs extended, 2 did not
22 of 36 househo[ds responded, 6 want signs extended, 7 do not,
and 9 might support signs tater if problem extends further
4 of 7 households responded, 3 wanted the signs extended, and 1
did not
2 of 4 households responded, both support extending the signs
3 of 8 househotds responded, at[ support extending the signs
P~nted with soy-based inks on 10~,~ recycled paper processed without chlorine
250 Hamilton Avenue
P.O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.329.2520
650.617.3!08 fax
Green Acres II
September 30, 2003
Page 2
Based on these results, there does not appear to be a majority consensus to extend
the signs to these additional street segments at this time.
During the first few weeks of school, City staff have monitored parking in the
neighborhood. At this point, the student parking problems that existed last spring
have not developed. This turn-around may be due to the efforts of Gunn High Schoo[
administration and PTA to foster alternative commute choices. This year the school
has reduced the cost of a VTA monthly youth transit pass to $10 (a S!7 subsidy), sold
100 bus passes in just one week (that’s 40 more than a[[ of last year), sold 200
student carpoo[ parking permit (100 more than last year). Efforts to increase walking
and bicycling are also moving ahead. Gunn has not sold out of student parking
permits, as they had at this point last year.
On a retated note, Transportation Division and Police Department staff have been
monitoring the changing school commute patterns resulting from the reopening of
Terman Middle School We are aware of the increased use of the wa[kways from
Gunn and Juana Briones schools onto Georgia by middle school students. We wi[[
continue to monitor the safety conditions along theses streets and work with the
school community and neighborhood to address any continuing safety issues.
If you have any questions about the study or survey, please contact me at
gay[e. [ikens@cityofpa[oa[to. orq or 650-329-2136.
Sincerely,
Transportation Projects Manager
Enclosure
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F-Z~J
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Cityof Palo Alto
Department of Planning and
ATTACHMENT C
February 3, 2004
Subject: City Council Approval of No Parking 9-10 a.m. on School Days Zones
Transportation
Division
Dear Resident:
This letter is to notify you that at the February 9, 2004 City Council meeting,
the Council will be asked to approve a resolution formally adopting the
existin9 parking restrictions on school days between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on
segments of the 600 and 4:[00 blocks of Georgia Avenue, the 4:[00 block of
Donald Drive and the 4:[00 block of Hubbartt Drive.
The Transportation Division completed the neighborhood survey of the no
parking zones trial last summer and reported the results of the survey in a
letter to residents in late September. Zn summary, 62.5% of the residents of
Georgia, Hubbartt and Donald responded to the survey. A substantial majority
(75%) of the respondents supported retaining the No Parking signs. The
response rate for the other street segments surveyed was much lower and
the responses more mixed. There appeared to be no majority consensus to
extend the no parking zones to additional street segments at this time and
tII’I~I’~.,I~’---UI’F-., I’IU exp~i]SiOFI 0 I rlF_. rig pUl’lMrl[::j -,’uric-_. i~ FlUl.)u~F_.d Ul Irln~
Based on this positive response, staff recommended that the existing signs
be retained and stated that we would proceed to prepare a formal Resolution
establishing the parking restriction for City Council approval, hue to
scheduling issues, this item has been delayed until February 9th. The Council
meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This item is
on the consent calendar and will be voted on without discussion, unless
removed by a Council Member. The staff report to Council will be available in
the Transportation Division on Friday, ,Tanuary 30th and on the City website at
www.cityofpaloatto.org under City Council agendas.
Printed with soy-based inks on 100% recycled paper processed without chlorine
250 Hamilton Avenue
P.O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.329.2520
650.617.3108 fax
February 3, 2004
Page 2
The report also includes an update on additional actions the City and School
District are taking to address the drop-off congestion near the path to Gunn
on Georgia Avenue. As a result of discussions at the City/School Liaison
Committee, City staff have added new ’~No Stopping 7:30-8:00 a.m.°° signs at
the path entrance and the District has removed the high hedges that were
obstructihg visibility and sight lines at the path entrance. The Gunn High
administration will be sending a note in the monthly newsletter to parents
requesting that they not use Georgia Avenue for drop-offs and informing
them of the danger they pose to student pedestrians and bicyclists. The
Police will continue monitoring and enforcement efforts and additional
measures will be considered as needed in the future.
Zf you have any questions about the no parking signs, please contact me via e-
mail at 9ayle.likens@cityofpaloalto.org or at 650-329-2136.
Sincerely,
S
Transportation Projects Manager