HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-10 City Council (3)TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
City Pallo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER
MARCH 10, 2003
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION
ZONES ON THE
FRONTAGE ROAD
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
CMR:177:03
ESTABLISHING NO PARKING
1500 AND 1600 BLOCKS OF EL CAMINO
2
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A)
prohibiting parking along the 1500 and 1600 blocks of E1 Camino Real frontage road
between the hours of 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Thursdays.
BACKGROUND
The 1500 and 1600 blocks of E1 Camino frontage road betaveen Park and Churchill
Boulevards have a single, one-way lane with a median strip separating the two blocks of
residential homes from the traffic flow of northbound E1 Camino Real (Attachment B).
The median strip and the cars from nearby businesses that park along the street during the
day create a very narrow passage for large refuse mad recycling collection trucks to drive
through and service the homes in the area. The street measures fifteen feet eight inches
wide, yet the average width of the parked cars is seven feet and the width of the refuse
and recycling vehicles is ten feet, mirror to mirror (Attachment C).
In June 2002, a refuse collection truck was involved in an accident and an investigation
discovered that the collection vehicles had been practicing unsafe maneuvering in order
to service the homes on these two blocks. The unsafe practices included driving on the
curb of the median, folding vehicle mirrors to avoid the parked vehicles, and servicing
the homes from northbound E1 Camino Real. Due to these unsafe practices and the
parked cars creating the narrow passageway, the recycling and refuse collector requested
help from the City in resolving the safety hazard.
Staff considered several options to improve the unsafe location. The Parks Division of
the Community Selwices Department trimmed the overgown shrubs on the median and
Public Works trimmed the trees on the median and on the residential strip. The refuse
and recycling collection vehicles were rerouted to service the homes on these two street
blocks at different times of the day with the objective to avoid the cars parking along the
CMR:177:03 Page 1 of 3
narrow street. However, the parked cars from nearby businesses continued to make the
!ocation narrow and created a safety hazard for the large collection vehicles. Staff
determined that the best solution would be to restrict parking along the ta¥o affected street
blocks on the day of the refuse and recycling collection services, which is from 6:00 AM
to 2:00 PM on Thursdays (see Attachment B for map of affected properties).
DISCUSSION
On August 5, 2002, the local neighborhood association was contacted by letter regarding
an experiment to restrict parking. Staff received one telephone call from the association’s
representative with questions regarding the restricted parking.
On August 29, 2002, a letter was mailed to the property owners and managers of each of
the properties that would be directly affected by the restricted parking on the 1500 and
1600 blocks of E1 Camino Real. Attachment D lists the residential and commercial
properties that were contacted and includes the letter sent. The letter described the safety
concern, the options considered by staff., the reason for restricting parking, and an
estimated date of when the no parking signs would be installed. A phone number and
e-mail address was provided on the letter for property owners and managers to contact
the Public Works Operations Division with questions or concerns. Staff received four
telephone calls from the local commercial property managers and tenants with questions
regarding the restriction. The telephone calls were from three business representatives
who wanted to make sure staff had considered alternate options to the restrictive parking.
They also had general questions about how the parking restriction would work. Staff did
not receive telephone calls or letters from residential property owners.
The no parking signs were posted in November 2002 and to this date staff in Public
Works/Operations and Plam~ing/Transportation has not received any telephone calls or
letters related to the restricted parking.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The costs to make and install the si~as were provided in the Refuse Fund FY 2002-03
operating budget. No new or additional costs will be required to make the signs
permanent.
ATTACHMENTS
- Attachment A:Resolution
Attachment B:Map of no parking zone and affected properties
Attachment C:Pictures of narrow section of ECR as trucks drive through
Attachment D:List of impacted properties and letters sent
PREPARED BY:Michael Jackson, Deputy Director, PW/Operations
Paula Borges, Executive Assistant, PW/Refuse
David Stillman, Engineer, Planning/Transportation
CMR:177:03 Page 2 of 3
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:’ .......... ~
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:177:03 Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO APPROVING AND ADOPTING NO PARKING ZONES ON
THE 1500 AND 1600 BLOCKS OF EL C~INO REAL
FRONTAGE ROAD
WHEREAS, the 1500 and !600 blocks of E1 Camino Real
Frontage Roaa between Park ana Churchil!Bouleva_as have a
single, one-way lane with a median stripseparating the two
blocks of residential homes from the traffic f!ow of northbound
E1 Camino Real; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish new zon÷s where
parking shall__ be mrohibited__ ._ on Thursdays between the hours of
6:00 ~iJ and 2:00 PM, ~n order to maintain the safe, orderly flow
of traffic in the City of Pa!o Alto; and
WHEREAS, Palo Alto Municima! Code section 10.44.010
’~ ~ h=d designating) enables the City(Restrictions es~a~__s..~ -Signs -
Council to establish by resolution such parking restrictions or
prohibitions as may be necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council o{ the City of Pa!o Alto
does RESOLVE as fol!ows:
SECTION !. The Council hereby establishes a "no parking
on Thursdays from 6:00 _~ to 2:00 PM" zone on the 1500 and 1600
b!ocks of E! Camino Real Frontage Road.
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030224 sm 0053199
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SECTION 2.
categorically exempt
Act under Class !
facilities)and no
necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
The Counci! finds that this project is
from the California Environmental Quality
(minor alterations to existing public
further environmental assessment is
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
Director of Public Works
Chief Transportation Official
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
030224 sm 0053199
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ATTACHMENT B
No Parking Zones on
1500 & 1600 Blocks
of E1 Camino Real
Frontage Road
ATTACHMENT C
Pictures taken on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of E1 Camino Real frontage road show the
narrow area that the refuse and recycling collection vehicles have to drive through to
service the residents. The street measures fifteen feet, eight inches wide, yet the average
width of the parked cars is seven feet and the width of the refuse and recycling vehicles is
ten feet, mirror to mirror.
ATTACHMENT C
One side of the !500 and 1600 blocks of the frontage road has parked cars from people
working at nearby businesses.
ATTACHMENT C
On the West side of the two blocks, the collection vehicles collide with the brushes and
trees ~owing from the median strip separating the frontage road from northbound E1
Camino Real.
ATTACHMENT D
List of residential and commercial properties affected by the no parking zones, and letters
sent explaining restriction.
Residential Properties:
1525 E1 Cmnino Real
1531 E1 Camino Real
1541 E1 Camino Real
1551 E1 Camino Real
1557 E1 Camino Real
1563 E1 Camino Real
101 Miramonte Avenue
1601 E1 Camino Real
1611 E1 Camino Real
1621 E1 Camino Real
1635 E1 Camino Real
1641 E1 Camino Real
1655 E1 Camino Real
1671 E1 Camino Real
Con~a~ercial Properties:
1515 E1 Camino Real, Plastic Surgery Center
1681 El Camino Real, Nova
1691 E1 Camino Real, Suite 100, Palo Alto Chiropractic Offices
1691 E1 Camino Real, Suite 200, Prosthodontics
!691 E1 Camino Real, Suite 300, McKe~ma Family Dentist~’
ATTACHMENT D
August 29, 2002
Resident
1671 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Dear Resident:
The City of Palo Alto received complaints that a narrow section of El Camino Real within
your neighborhood is a safety hazard for vehicular traffic and we need your assistance.
The 1500 and 1600 blocks of El Camino Real have a median strip separating the
residential homes from the traffic flow of northbound El Camino Real. The median strip
and the parked cars create a very narrow area making it difficult for large city vehicles
including refuse and recycling collection trucks to drive through and service the homes
in this area.
The City has considered several options to improve this unsafe situation. The Parks
division trimmed the overgrown shrubs on the median, and Public Works will soon be
trimming the trees on the median and the residential strip. ]:n addition, the City has
determined that the best long-term solution is to restrict parking in this area on the day
of the refuse and recycling collection services, which is on Thursdays from 6AM to 2PM.
Consequently, restricted parking on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of El Camino Real may
start as early as Monday, October 14, 2002.
The City of Palo Alto appreciates your comments and cooperation. ]:f you have any
questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact me at (650) 565-8734 or
through email at paula_borges@city.palo-alto.ca.us by September 12, 2002.
Sincerely,
Paula Borges
City of Palo AILo
Public Works Operations Division
Cc Michael 3ackson, Public Works Operations Director
Russ Reiserer, Solid Waste Manager
David Stillman, Transportation
Alfredo Romo, PASCO
_Jim McFall, Southgate Association
ATTACHMENT D
August 29, 2002
Dr. Charles Fulanovich
Palo Alto Chiropractic Offices
1691 El Camino Real, Suite :[00
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Dear Mr. Fulanovich:
The City of Palo Alto received complaints that a narrow section of El Camino Real near
your business is a safety hazard for vehicular traffic and we need your assistance.
The 1500 and :[600 blocks of El Camino Real has a median strip separating the
residential homes from the traffic flow of northbound El Camino Real. The median strip
and the parked cars create a very narrow area making it difficult for large city vehicles
including refuse and recycling collection trucks to drive through and service the homes
in this area.
The City has considered several options to improve this unsafe situation. The Parks
division trimmed the overgrown shrubs on the median, and Public Works will soon be
trimming the trees on the median and the residential strip. ]:n addition, the City has
determined that the best long-term solution is to restrict parking in this area on the day
of the refuse and recycling collection services, which is on Thursdays from 6AM to 2PM.
Consequently, restricted parking on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of El Camino Real may
start as early as Monday, October 14, 2002. TL has come to our attention that your
office staff parks vehicles in this area. Please notify them of the upcoming parking
restriction.
The City of Palo Alto appreciates your comments and cooperation. :If you have any
questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact me at (650) 565-8734 or
through email at paula_borges@city.palo-alto.ca.us by September :[2, 2002.
Sincerely,
Paula Borges
City of Palo Alto
Public Works Operations Division
Cc Michael .Jackson, Public Works Operations Director ’
Russ Reiserer, Solid Waste Manager
David Stillman, Transportation
Alfredo Romo, PASCO
_Jim McFall, Southgate Association