HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4118
City of Palo Alto (ID # 4118)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 9/23/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Crescent Park - No Overnight Parking Program Update
Title: Approval of Crescent Park - No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) Trial
Program Resident Permit Application and Program Expansion
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution (Attachment D) to establish a fee structure
for resident permits for use through the Crescent Park – No Overnight Parking (2AM – 5AM)
Trial Program and allow for expansion of the program.
Executive Summary
The Crescent Park – No Overnight Parking (2AM – 5AM) Trial Program was approved for staff
implementation at August 12, 2013 City Council meeting. A detailed history of the resident
interest and involvement leading up to this ban is covered in the August 12th staff report
(attached). This parking ban precludes overnight parking (2am-5am) on certain streets in the
Crescent Park neighborhood.
Following the Council approval, staff and a number of Councilmembers received a large number
of emails with concerns about implementation details, potential “spill-over” parking, and the
price of single-use overnight guest permits. Per the adopted resolution, single-use guest
permits would cost up to $5 per night. Based on those concerns, staff and the Mayor scheduled
a neighborhood meeting. The meeting was attended by approximately 50 residents, and
consensus was reached on all the primary issues. Specifically, it was agreed that each
household within the approved no overnight parking area could purchase two (2) overnight
resident guest permits. Each permit would cost $100 and would allow overnight parking in the
impacted area for the length of the pilot program. The pilot program could last a year, with a
review at six months to determine if it should continue. Furthermore, staff agreed to expedite
the schedule for inclusion of additional blocks into the program if requested by residents.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Both of those items are the subject of this report. Council review and approval is being sought.
Background
Since Council approval of the parking restrictions on August 12th, staff has been working on
implementation of the program, including placement of temporary a-frame “no parking” signs,
installation of similar permanent signage, and additional outreach to the community. The
Police Department has also increased patrols in the area, and has been issuing warning fliers.
Since then, parking has decreased significantly in the trial program area, however there has
been some amount of “spill over” parking into nearby streets.
During approval of the program in August Council directed staff to develop a fee schedule for
the distribution of resident permits through the trial period. The maximum cost of each permit
would be up to $5.00 per night. These would be single-use (one night only) guest permits that
could be purchased at City Hall. This raised a lot of concern with residents in the area,
especially those with multiple drivers in the family. Staff and the Mayor met with residents on
September 10th to listen to concerns and solicit input on adjustments that could be made to the
program to alleviate neighbor concerns and objections.
In addition to the fee structure of resident permits, residents from several near-by street blocks
near the trial program have expressed interest in participating in the program. Interest has
further increased due to “spillover” parking associated with the ban. This issue was brought up
during the neighborhood meeting. Attachment A provides a map highlighting the streets
currently being signed for no parking restrictions, streets previously approved by Council but
for which no petitions have been yet received, and the additional streets where staff has
received participation interest.
Since Council’s initial approval, staff has also continued to work with East Palo Alto staff and the
owners of the nearby apartment complexes. The meetings have focused on long-term parking
solutions for East Palo Alto residents. Equity Residential, the company who owns a majority of
the nearby units, has further explained their parking policies and timeline for bringing 88 new
parking spaces online. More than 40 of these spaces are near the impacted area. Furthermore,
East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Transportation staff continue to meet to potentially identify
additional on-street parking opportunities in East Palo Alto.
Discussion
Based on public input during the September 10th community meeting with the Crescent Park
Neighborhood, staff is recommending that a prepaid parking permit be made available for use
City of Palo Alto Page 3
by residents and their guests at a cost of $100 per permit. The permits would be available on
“hang tags” that can be easily removed from the rear-view mirror of one vehicle and
transferred to another vehicle. Staff recommends making up to two (2) permits available per
household. Additional single-use permits at a cost of $5.00 each would still be available to meet
additional guest parking demands of residents. Residents participating in the September 10th
community meeting were supportive of the fee structure. The proposed Crescent Park Resident
Permit – Permit Instructions and Application are provided in Attachment B.
Enforcement would be intense at first, followed by episodic patrol and an on a complaint basis.
Staff has made it clear to residents that other police calls for service in the 2am-5am period
could take precedence. Staff is urging residents to only utilize permitted street parking when
absolute necessary, as enforcing the ban becomes increasingly difficult with additional cars
parked on-street.
Although the Crescent Park – No Overnight Parking (2AM – 5AM) Trial Program is still in the
implementation phase, several residents from street blocks nearby to the trial area requesting
the opportunity to be able to participating in the program at a future time. The following
additional street blocks are included in the attached resolution because of resident requests or
in anticipation of resident requests in the future:
Newell Road (Dana Avenue to Pitman Avenue-Louisa Court)
Dana Avenue (North of Newell Road to Center Drive)
Dana Avenue (South of Newell Road to Alester Avenue)
Pitman Avenue (Newell Road to Center Drive)
Southwood Drive (Center Drive to East End)
Kings Lane
Crescent Drive
East Crescent Drive
Center Drive (University Avenue to Southwood Drive)
West Crescent Drive
Hamilton Avenue (W Crescent Drive to Center Drive)
Inclusion of these streets will allow residents to submit petitions to the City. Following the
receipt of the petitions staff can then initiate postal surveys to validate petition signatures.
Pending a 70% positive response to the postal surveys from surveys received, the City may then
sign the streets and allow for the distribution of permits to those streets under the proposed
fee structure above. With Council approval of inclusion of the additional streets (potential)
staff will be able to respond to their addition through the petition and survey process. Typically
will send out these surveys within one week of receiving petition, and allow 2 weeks for
resident response. Program implemetation will begin immediately thereafter.
City of Palo Alto Page 4
Timeline
Implementation of the Crescent Park – No Overnight (2AM – 5AM) Trial Program is currently
underway (sign installation and warning fliers) and scheduled for completion on October 1,
2013. Beginning in October the Palo Alto Police Department will begin the issuance of parking
citations to vehicles without permits that are parked on the Phase 1 streets shown on the map
in Attachment A. The trial could continue through September 31, 2014 with monitoring
through parking occupancy counts and monitoring of adjacent streets, with a six month review.
Permit sales will begin on September 26, 2013 and will be available for purchase in Revenue
Collections on the 1st floor of City Hall. Staff will send out additional details to the Crescent Park
email list and via US Mail.
Resource Impact
The cost of implementing the Crescent Park – No Overnight Parking (2AM – 5AM) Trial Program
is estimated at $25,000 including new signs that will be installed in the field and the cost of
permits. The up front cost of the program is being made through the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) PL-12000, Parking & Transportation Improvements. As part of the trial program,
the revenues from permits will go to the General Fund. Staff will track and will analyze the
amount of permit revenue and associated cost to establish and maintain the trial program. As
part of the midyear budget adjustment, process a recommendation will be brought forward to
reimburse the Capital Program from the General Fund. It is important to note that the current
funding sources for the Transportation and Parking Improvements CIP are the Gas Tax Fund and
the Infrastructure Reserve, should the trial become permanent, staff will establish proper
budgeting and accounting to support the district.
The trial program will have an impact on City staffing such as in the processing of permit
requests. While the additional volume of permits generated by Crescent Park appear to be
manageable and will be covered by Trial Program revenues, future Residential Parking
programs will likely require additional staffing whose costs would be ideally covered via permit
fees.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Project Limits Map (PDF)
Attachment B: NOP Application (PDF)
Attachment C: City Manager's Report of August 5, 2013 (w/o attachments) (PDF)
Attachment D: Resolution (PDF)
Attachment E: Excerpt of City Council Minutes of August 12, 2013 (PDF)
Crescent Park
No Overnight Parking (2AM – 5AM) Trial Program
Project Limits
Legend:
SCALE: NONE
•••••••
Channing Av
Crescent Park
No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM)
Survey Findings
Phase 1 -Implementation in September 2013
Phase 2 -Approved Pending Resident Petition/Survey
Resident Interest in Petition for Future Phases
Last Update: 9-16-13
DRAFT
RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS
City of Palo Alto, Revenue Collections – Parking Permit Program
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, Ca 94301
Phone (650) 329 – 2317 Fax (650) 617 – 3122
Office Hours: Mon – Thurs, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
1. PROPER DISPLAY OF PERMIT: Your Crescent Park permit is to hang from the REAR VIEW MIRROR. Failure to properly
display the permit could result in a citation being issued.
2. ONE DAY SCRATCHERS: One day scratcher permits are to hang from the REAR VIEW MIRROR and are valid from 2:00 a.m.-
5:00 a.m. on the date scratched off. The month, day, and year MUST be completely scratched off for the permits to be VALID. Failure
to properly display the permits could result in a citation being issued.
3. REPLACEMENT FEE: There is a permit replacement fee of $100.00 for LOST permits that need to be reissued so that the
previous permit can be voided. If a permit is LOST an affidavit must be completed at Revenue Collections prior to replacement. If a
permit is DAMAGED it can be returned for a replacement permit and will be made available at a cost of $10.00.
4. PERMIT USE: Permits are for the use of residents of Crescent Park only. Permits cannot be transferred to another person and
cannot be resold. Your permit cannot be loaned to another individual, damaged or altered in any way. Any misrepresentation of the
information or misuse will result in revocation of the permit.
5. STORAGE OF VEHICLE: Parking a vehicle (unmoved) longer than 72 consecutive hours on a city street is in violation of PAMC 10.60.07 (d). The vehicle will be considered stored, cited and towed.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 650-329-2317 or e-mail Revenue Collections at RevColl@CityofPaloAlto.org.
Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________
Permit No._________________________________________
DRAFT
CRESCENT PARK
APPLICATION FOR PARKING PERMITS
ADDRESS: __________________________________ PHONE# ____________________________
PERMIT(S) # _________________________________ DATE ISSUED_______________________
FIRST NAME _________________________ LAST NAME ________________________
CHECK LIST
Proof of Residency
(Must have 1 of 3 listed below)
Current driver’s license with Crescent Park address. __________
Recent utility bill with Crescent Park address and photo I.D. __________
Current rental agreement and photo I.D. __________
Permit Fees
Residential Permits ($100.00 Each) Quantity _________ __________
Replacement Fee ($100.00) __________
Replacement Fee with Old Permit ($10.00) __________
TOTAL __________
NAME: _____________________________________________ ______________
Signature Date
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3969)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 8/5/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Crescent Park No Overnight Parking Resolution
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Allowing the Implementation of a One-Year
Trial No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) Program on Streets within the
Crescent Park Neighborhood
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution authorizing staff to implement a one-year
trial for No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) program within certain street blocks of the Crescent
Park Neighborhood.
Background
Citizens from the Crescent Park Neighborhood reached out to the City earlier this year
requesting that the City implement parking restrictions within their neighborhood in order to
limit parking intrusion from outside the neighborhood. This request was based on complaints
involving overcrowded streets, blocking of driveways, noise and litter caused by overnight
street parking. Following the initial request, the City implemented full-time, “No Parking”
restrictions along Newell Road between Edgewood Drive and the Newell Road Bridge. Traffic
calming improvements to improve pedestrian safety at Newell Road and Edgewood Drive and
Newell Road and Hamilton Avenue were also implemented. These improvements included
crosswalk improvements and all-way stop intersection controls.
The Crescent Park citizens requested additional parking restrictions, initially along Edgewood
Drive and worked with staff to develop and circulate petitions for No Overnight Parking (2AM-
5AM) for the following roadway segments, to manage the expected limits of parking intrusion:
Edgewood Drive: Southwood Drive to Jefferson Drive
Phillips Road: Edgewood Drive to Madison Way
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Hamilton Avenue: Island Drive to Madison Way
Dana Avenue: Half-Block sections north and south of Newell Road
Newell Road: Dana Avenue to Edgewood Drive
Following receipt of the petitions in June, staff released a follow-up post card survey to validate
resident interest from each separate street block. These surveys were released throughout the
month of July. Please note that the additional street block segments of Edgewood Drive
between Southwood Drive and Island Drive were added to the post card survey following a
petition received after the release of the initial post card surveys. The following additional
street blocks have requested or submitted petitions for the No Overnight Parking restrictions
but postal surveys have not yet been administered:
Edgewood Drive: Jefferson Drive to Patricia Lane
Hamilton Avenue: Center Drive-Southwood Drive to Island Drive
Hamilton Avenue: Madison Way to Alester Avenue
Madison Way: Hamilton Avenue to Jefferson Drive
Jefferson Drive: Hamilton Avenue to Edgewood Drive
City staff required a minimum 70% support response from each street block to forward the
restrictions to the Council for consideration. 70% has been the standard positive response rate
used in Palo Alto for traffic calming programs. These restrictions would apply to resident
vehicles, not just non-residents, and would be enforced by the Police Department. Overnight
guest permits will be made available for residents that require parking for their guests at a cost
of $5.00 per permit per night. Even with the guest permits, standard parking restrictions
governed by the California Vehicle Code and Palo Alto Municipal Code continue to apply
including a 72-hour parking restriction to avoid the storage of vehicles within the public right-
of-way.
The City has continued to accept responses to the post card survey through the month of July
leading to the council meeting where this resolution will be considered. Table 1 below provides
the findings of the post card survey through July 30th:
Table 1
Crescent Park Neighborhood Post Card Survey Response
No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) Considerations
City of Palo Alto Page 3
No. Street Block Segment No. of
Households
No. of Survey
Responses
(Yes and No)
% Positive
Support from
Responses
1 Edgewood
Drive
Southwood Dr
to Island Dr
7 5 100%
2 Edgewood
Drive
Island Dr to
Newell Rd
20 18 94%
3 Edgewood
Drive
Newell Rd to
Jefferson Dr
18 15 80%
4 Phillips
Road
Edgewood Rd
to Madison Wy
9 9 89%
5 Hamilton
Avenue
Island Dr to
Newell Rd
28 20 70%
6 Hamilton
Avenue
Newell Rd to
Madison Wy
14 10 70%
7 Dana
Avenue
North of Newell
Rd
14 10 30%
8 Dana
Avenue
South of Newell
Road
16 13 54%
9 Newell
Road
Edgewood Dr
to Hamilton Av
3 3 100%
10 Newell
Road
Hamilton Av to
Dana Av
4 4 100%
The post card survey shows that a majority of residents living on street blocks along Newell
Road and towards the easterly limits of Crescent Park are in support of the No Overnight
Parking Restrictions with only both blocks of Dana Avenue not currently in support of the
restrictions.
Staff recommends implementation of the No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) for the streets that
have positive support (70%+) for the restrictions to be implemented as a Phase 1 deployment
City of Palo Alto Page 4
by September. Streets that opt to add in later can be deployed immediately upon receipt of a
new petition and administration of another post card survey as a Phase 2 deployment.
Under the current proposal, street blocks that did not have strong support for immediate
implementation of the No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) restrictions could opt in later. This
recommendation is consistent with the conversations staff has had with neighborhood leaders.
Therefore, staff requests authorization to implement additional restrictions in the future as part
of this resolution including the blocks of: Edgewood Drive between Jefferson Drive and Patricia
Lane; Hamilton Avenue: Center Drive-Southwood Drive to Island Drive; Hamilton Avenue
between Madison Way and Alester Avenue; Madison Way: Hamilton Avenue to Jefferson Drive;
and Jefferson Drive: Hamilton Avenue to Edgewood Drive, if supported by residents, for which a
post card survey will be released following approval of the proposed resolution. Attachment A
includes the Resolution. Attachment B describes the proposed Phase 1 and Phase 2 No Parking
(2AM-5AM) considerations. Attachment C includes a sample of the post card survey released
by the City.
It is important to note that this is a proposed as a one-year pilot program. Staff will continue to
work with neighborhood residents, as well as adjacent neighborhoods and communities to
ensure that the program is being implemented as effectively as possible. Furthermore, staff will
evaluate the ultimate request from many neighborhood residents for a Residential Permit
Parking (RPP) program. Finally, staff will continue to work with City of East Palo Alto staff and
nearby apartment owners on addressing the parking supply issue that is resulting in the need
for this parking restriction trial.
The City held a community meeting July 30th to present the above findings to residents.
Residents noted that the proposed No Overnight Parking restrictions were not an ideal solution
and that Residential Parking Permit (RPP) was a preferred alternative but that the proposal was
a good step forward while solutions for RPP options are discussed further with the community.
Residents from streets on Hamilton Avenue near Center Drive-Southwood Drive and on
Madison Way and Jefferson Drive requested inclusion in the future Phase 2 program.
Policy Implications
The Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 10.44.010 – Restrictions Established – Signs Designating
allows the installation of parking restrictions by time-of-day following a city council ordinance
or resolution. Vehicles that are cited for parking in areas where time restrictions have been
established are cited by the Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 10.40.020 (b) – Signs or Curb
Markings to Indicated No Stopping and Parking Regulations.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22507.5 – Local Regulations allows the issuance of
City of Palo Alto Page 5
Day Permits for parking through parking restricted periods of the day for residents and their
guests.
Resource Impact
The design and construction of the No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) are estimated to cost
approximateyl $12,000 and will be funded through the existing Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) – PL12000 (Parking & Transportation Improvements) project. The Revenue Collections
Department will make available for purchase Overnight Guest Permits for specific use by the
Crescent Park Neighborhood on a limited basis at a cost of $5.00 per permit. Permits are good
one night only and a limited amount of permits will be available.
Timeline
The City recommends implementation of the signage restrictions through the remainder of
August followed by a 2-week warning period for vehicles that continue to park during the new
No Overnight Parking (2AM-5AM) period with citations being issued on an as-needed basis by
mid-September.
City staff expects to meet with neighborhood residents at the six-month mark and again near
the end of the one-year trial to assess te effectiveness of the program and at the year end to
coniser recommendation for continuation or discontinuation of the program.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Resolution for Crescent Park No Overnight Parking (PDF)
Attachment B: Crescent Park - No Overnight Parking Survey Findings (PDF)
Attachment C: Sample Crescent Park Postal Survey (PDF)
*Not Yet Approved*
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Resolution No. ________
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expanding No Overnight Parking
Restrictions around the Crescent Park Neighborhood as a One Year Trial Program
and Adding Pre-Paid Parking Permit
R E C I T A L S
A. On August 12, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution 9367establishing a trial
program prohibiting overnight parking from 2AM to 5AM on certain blocks in Crescent Park. In
addition the resolution established a process for implementing this parking restriction on
additional blocks in the Crescent Park neighborhood to avoid parking spillover impacts.
B. Since adoption of the Resolution neighbors and staff have identified additional
blocks that should be included in this trial program. These blocks are listed below:
No. Street Street Block Segment
No Parking
Restriction
Period
Post Card
Survey
Support
16 Newell Road Dana Avenue to Pitman Avenue-Louisa Court 2AM – 5AM Pending
17 Dana Avenue North of Newell Road to Center Drive 2AM – 5AM Pending
18 Dana Avenue South of Newell Road to Alester Avenue 2AM – 5AM Pending
19 Pitman Avenue Newell Road to Center Drive 2AM – 5AM Pending
20 Southwood Drive Center Drive to East End 2AM – 5AM Pending
21 Kings Lane 2AM – 5AM Pending
22 Crescent Drive 2AM – 5AM Pending
23 East Crescent Drive 2AM – 5AM Pending
24 Center Drive (University Avenue to Southwood Drive) 2AM – 5AM Pending
25 West Crescent Dr. 2AM – 5AM Pending
26 Hamilton Avenue West Crescent Drive to Center Drive 2AM – 5 AM Pending
C. The City Council finds that there is a parking intrusion problem in parts of the
Crescent Park neighborhood and desires to implement a pilot one year program to attempt to
mitigate this problem.
D. Staff will expedite the schedule for including of additional blocks into the program if
requested by residents.
*Not Yet Approved*
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E. The California Vehicle Code Section 22507.5 authorizes the City to enact, by
ordinance or resolution, parking restrictions on public streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and
6 a.m. and further authorizes the City to provide for a system of permits for the purpose of
exempting from the prohibition or restriction of the ordinance or resolution, disabled persons,
residents, and guests of residents of residential areas.
F. The Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 10.44.010 allows for the implementation of
parking restrictions.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1: The City Council authorizes staff to implement No Overnight Parking
Restrictions on all of the street block segments identified in Recital B as petitions by residents
are received in accordance with this Resolution. No Overnight (2AM – 5AM) Parking
restrictions shall be posted in each eligible block upon receipt and verification of a minimum
70% support from surveys received.
SECTION 2: The City shall provide overnight guest permits for residents that require
parking for their guests at a cost not to exceed $5.00 per permit per night. A prepaid parking
permit will be made available for use by residents and their guests at a cost of $100 per permit.
Two (2) pre-paid permits will be available per household.
SECTION 3: Vehicles displaying overnight residential parking permits for the designated
streets shall be exempt from the posted parking restriction.
SECTION 4: The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not meet the
definition of a project under Section 21065 of the California Environmental Quality Act and,
therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
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*Not Yet Approved*
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SECTION 5: This program shall be reviewed in six (6) months to determine if it should
continue and expire within one year of adoption unless extended by City Council.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
Senior Assistant City Attorney City Manager
_____________________________
Director of Administrative
Services
_____________________________
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
EXCERPT MINUTES
Page 1 of 11
Special Meeting
August 12, 2013
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 6:08 P.M.
Present: Berman, Burt, Holman, Klein, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Schmid,
Shepherd
Library Advisory Commissioners: Chin, Hochberg, Landauer, Moss, Train
Absent:
ACTION ITEMS
3. Resolution 9367 entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Allowing the Implementation of a One-Year Trial No Overnight
Parking (2:00 A.M.-5:00 A.M.) Program on Streets within the Crescent
Park Neighborhood” (Continued from August 5, 2013).
Jaime Rodriguez, Chief Transportation Official, reported several residents of
the Crescent Park neighborhood approached the City approximately one year
ago regarding overcrowding of streets, blocked driveways, and litter. Over
the last year, Staff worked with the neighborhood to implement a series of
traffic calming measures. The main concern was overcrowding of parking.
Staff provided residents with options focusing on an overnight parking
restriction, and made it clear that neighborhood residents would have to
lead efforts to initiate parking restrictions. Staff asked residents to circulate
petitions, notified surrounding residents about petitions, and provided a
process for implementing restrictions. The restrictions focused on a ten-
block buffer area around the eastern portion of Crescent Park neighborhood.
Following receipt of the petitions, the City administered a postcard survey to
validate signatures on the petitions and to gauge community support for the
specific project. There was strong support within the neighborhood on the
blocks surveyed. Residents on streets not part of the original petition
requested to participate in the survey. The one-year trial would affect
anyone parking in the neighborhood. An overnight parking permit could be
MINUTES
Page 2 of 11
City Council Meeting
Final Minutes: 8/12/13
sold at a cost of $5, the same cost as permits sold in the College Terrace
neighborhood. Permits could be made available at City Hall and would
expire after two years. Residents of the neighborhood could purchase as
many permits as they wanted. Staff recommended the Council adopt a
Resolution authorizing Staff to implement a one-year trial program for no
overnight parking between 2:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. within the select blocks
of Crescent Park with the addition of Island Drive.
Norma Jean Kelly supported the parking restriction and permits.
Richard Yankowich supported the trial program. The problem was spillover
parking from apartments located in East Palo Alto.
Leo Ware concurred with Mr. Yankowich's comments. Cars were parked
bumper-to-bumper along streets, blocking driveways and lines of sight.
Frank Branson supported the trial parking program. He and his wife were
concerned that drivers parking along the street would burglarize their home.
Chris Goumas felt the character of the neighborhood changed due to
extrinsic forces. The high-density apartment complexes did not provide
adequate parking for their residents. He encouraged the Council to approve
the trial program as soon as possible.
Herb Borock provided a history of overnight parking within Palo Alto. An
overnight parking restriction was the solution for the Crescent Park
neighborhood.
Jason White stated the problems were litter and lack of street sweeping.
Ben Ball reported more than 90 non-resident vehicles parked along
Edgewood Drive and Newell Road nightly. Neighborhood residents worked
with City Staff to understand the issues of the problem and identified five
objectives. The temporary overnight parking ban accomplished those
objectives.
Daniel Hanson supported the trial program. Cars parked along the streets
and left trash. The City of East Palo Alto closed on-street parking along
Woodland Avenue, resulting in more on-street parking in Palo Alto.
David Dorosin also supported the overnight parking ban.
MINUTES
Page 3 of 11
City Council Meeting
Final Minutes: 8/12/13
Bhusan Gupta felt the inconvenience of the ban was a small price to pay to
eliminate overcrowded parking. He suggested the City begin work on a
Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program for Crescent Park.
Trish Mulvey requested the City delay action to obtain additional information
from the City of East Palo Alto.
Bruce Nixon supported implementation of the trial program; however, he
had no room to park five cars off the street. He favored an RPP program or
a long-term mitigated fee.
Andrew Vought wanted to implement the program and requested the Council
adopt the trial program.
Vanessa Belland requested the Council implement the trial program as it
would assist the neighborhood residents.
Glenn R. Campbell indicated the people parking in Crescent Park could not
afford to park elsewhere. The owners of the apartment complexes should be
required to provide adequate parking.
Rob Zucker suggested the City stripe the streets for parking and add parking
to a portion of Woodland Drive. This would allow more cars to park along
the streets. Charging for overnight parking permits was not right.
Gioia Zucchero stated many of the people parking on neighborhood streets
worked in Palo Alto. She requested the Council work with the City of East
Palo Alto to find a better solution.
Jane Kershner encouraged the Council to approve the trial parking program.
Neighborhood residents needed relief now.
Stephanie Munoz related a parking program utilized by the City of San
Francisco. She suggested photographs of license plates be collected for use
in investigating crimes. Shuttles could be used for Crescent Park residents
to park in East Palo Alto.
Sarah Sans supported the trial program, but hoped it would not push
parking to her home.
Jeff Levinsky objected to the requirement of 70 percent of residents on a
block support the program. A better requirement would be 51 percent of
residents.
MINUTES
Page 4 of 11
City Council Meeting
Final Minutes: 8/12/13
Council Member Klein inquired whether Staff fully understood the reasons for
the increase in the number of vehicles parked on the street in Crescent Park.
Mr. Rodriquez reported that Equity Partners' purchase of the apartment
complexes and subsequent increased rental of apartments resulted in the
parking congestion in Crescent Park.
Council Member Klein asked if the number of rental units increased.
Aaron Aknin, Interim Director Planning and Community Environment, replied
no. Equity Partners leased more units and separated the cost of parking
from the rental of the unit.
Council Member Klein inquired whether the parking spaces at the apartment
complexes were fully occupied.
Mr. Aknin understood most of the parking areas were fully occupied.
Parking at complexes undergoing remodeling was not being used.
Council Member Klein asked if the City had talked with the owners of the
apartment complexes.
Mr. Aknin indicated Staff had not talked with the owners. The City Manager
and he talked with the East Palo Alto City Manager who talked with the
property owners regarding short-term and long-term plans for parking. In
the short term, the property owners wanted to utilize two offsite parking lots
containing 42 and 46 spaces. He understood the owners would charge
renters for use of those parking lots.
Council Member Klein inquired about the cost to the renters for those
parking spaces.
Mr. Aknin did not know.
Council Member Klein asked if the intentions were mere proposals or official
actions.
Mr. Aknin understood the property owners obtained some type of use permit
for offsite parking.
Council Member Klein asked if the apartment complexes originally provided
adequate parking.
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Mr. Aknin reported the complexes provided one parking space per rental
unit. The overcrowded parking resulted from more people living in each
unit.
Council Member Klein inquired whether the two offsite parking lots would
solve the parking problem.
Mr. Aknin did not know if the additional parking spaces would solve the
entire problem.
Mr. Rodriguez estimated 80 cars parked in Crescent Park. One of the
parking lots was closer to the Newell Street Bridge and the other was closer
to Bayshore Road.
Council Member Klein inquired whether Staff proposed a one-year trial
program because of the impending utilization of the two parking lots.
Mr. Aknin wanted to try the program for one year to determine how it
worked and to develop policies for possible RPP programs for neighborhoods
in Palo Alto.
Council Member Klein inquired about a timeframe for a discussion of an RPP
program.
Mr. Aknin felt Staff could provide an overall policy to the Planning and
Transportation Commission (P&TC) and the Council in the next few months.
Staff discussed such a program with the Crescent Park and Downtown
neighborhoods.
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss
to adopt a Resolution authorizing Staff to implement a one-year trial
program for No Overnight Parking (2:00 A.M.-5:00 A.M.) within certain
street blocks of the Crescent Park Neighborhood.
Council Member Klein indicated the trial program would provide relief for the
neighborhood and send a message to the property owners of the apartment
complexes. Staff should observe the situation to determine whether the
parking problem moved to another neighborhood.
Council Member Kniss requested Staff comment on the cost of the overnight
parking permit. She noted other neighborhoods continued to suffer from
parking problems. It was important for the City of East Palo Alto to know
that Palo Alto was coping with the parking problem. She inquired whether
the $5 cost of a permit was included in the Motion.
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Council Member Klein responded that his intent was for it to be included. He
inquired whether the purchase could be made online.
Mr. Aknin reported $5 was the same cost as a guest permit provided in other
programs. If the Council wanted to lower the cost, then the permit cost
should be sufficiently high to pay for administrative and printing costs. He
would determine whether the City had the capability to sell the permits
online.
Council Member Kniss asked about the procedure to obtain an overnight
parking permit.
Mr. Rodriguez indicated a permit cost of $1 would pay for administrative and
printing costs. A resident could purchase several permits at one time. He
needed to determine whether overnight permits could be purchased online.
Council Member Kniss requested Staff return with additional information
regarding online purchases.
Council Member Price inquired whether Staff would communicate with Equity
Partners and the City Manager and Mayor of East Palo Alto.
Mr. Aknin replied yes.
Council Member Price requested a schedule to address an RPP program.
Mr. Aknin noted Staff held several outreach meetings primarily for
Downtown residents and commercial property owners. In September, Staff
would present a proposal for an RPP program for Downtown to the P&TC and
then to the Council. Once Staff developed the parameters for a program in
the Downtown area, then they could utilize those guidelines for other
neighborhoods.
Council Member Price asked if the $5 cost for a permit included costs for
enforcement.
Mr. Rodriguez understood enforcement would result from residents'
complaints.
Council Member Price inquired whether people without an overnight permit
would be warned or receive a citation.
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Mr. Rodriguez explained warnings would be issued during the first two weeks
of the trial period. After that the Police Department would issue citations.
Council Member Price asked if Staff's analysis of the program would include
impacts to adjacent streets.
Mr. Rodriguez reported Staff would return to the area to count cars.
Council Member Holman asked why the 51 percent versus 70 percent
requirement and information about the East Palo Alto parking lots were not
included in the Staff Report.
Mr. Rodriguez explained that Staff viewed the program as traffic calming,
and traffic calming guidelines typically utilized 70 percent. Guidelines for an
RPP program used 51 percent for parking.
Mr. Aknin did not have the information on the parking lots when preparing
the Staff Report.
Council Member Holman inquired whether Staff had asked the City of East
Palo Alto about the legality of charging for a parking space separate from the
unit rental.
Mr. Aknin answered no. Charging separately was a common practice for
rental units located near transit stations. It was a bit unusual for rental
units isolated from transit to charge separately for parking spaces. Staff
could inquire with the East Palo Alto City Manager.
Council Member Holman asked if street sweeping could occur during the
2:00 A.M. to 5:00 A.M. timeframe.
Mr. Rodriguez would inquire about the issue with the Public Works
Department.
Council Member Holman expressed concern about the cost of a parking
permit being too low. If the cost was too low, then residents would simply
purchase permits to park in front of their homes.
Mr. Aknin would monitor that effect during the trial period. Pricing the
permit was difficult to gauge.
Council Member Holman hoped Staff would contact the City of East Palo Alto
as well as the property owners to report the Council's action.
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Vice Mayor Shepherd understood Equity Partners purchased additional rental
units in East Palo Alto. Staff should open a dialog with the City of East Palo
Alto and the property owners. She inquired about parking on Woodland
Drive.
Mr. Rodriguez would talk with the City of East Palo Alto the parking situation.
He understood East Palo Alto restricted parking along Woodland Drive
because of flooding in the area. Portions of Woodland Drive did not meet
federal guidelines for parking.
Vice Mayor Shepherd requested that Staff communicate with the City of East
Palo Alto about parking along Woodland Drive. She was concerned about
the separate charge of parking from the rental cost, and asked about State
prohibitions against that.
Mr. Aknin noted each rental unit received one parking space. The two-
bedroom units formerly received two free parking spaces. Now, the renter
paid for a second space.
Vice Mayor Shepherd asked why the number of parking spaces could deviate
among cities.
Mr. Aknin felt Ordinances had not caught up to the market charges for
parking spaces. Charging for additional parking spaces was feasible when
the rental units were located close to transit and ample free parking was not
available.
Vice Mayor Shepherd inquired about possible legal recourse. She asked if
the two parking lots were lots or garages.
Mr. Aknin stated they were parking lots.
Vice Mayor Shepherd asked if there were plans to build garages on the lots
for a future apartment complex.
Mr. Aknin did not know. There were no long-term plans for anything other
than parking on those lots.
Vice Mayor Shepherd felt the property owners should provide adequate
parking.
Council Member Berman asked if Staff obtained a baseline analysis of the
parking situation outside the proposed restricted area for future comparison.
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Mr. Rodriguez indicated by the end of August 2013 Staff would have an
expanded footprint.
Council Member Berman shared his experience counting cars in the Crescent
Park area in January 2013. He hoped an RPP program was not
implemented. He would reach out to the City of East Palo Alto regarding the
parking problem.
Council Member Schmid noted the approval vote for Hamilton Avenue was
exactly 70 percent. He asked Staff how they would draw the boundaries for
counting residences.
Mr. Aknin explained the 70 percent requirement came from traffic calming
guidelines and was used to inform the Staff recommendation. For an RPP
program, Staff would provide percentages for the P&TC and the Council to
make their own determinations. Because Staff utilized 51 percent for the
College Terrace permit program, they would utilize it again for other RPP
programs.
Council Member Schmid stated the definition of a block was very important,
especially along the periphery of the affected area. Palo Alto had city-wide
parking problems. He inquired whether Staff would utilize the same policies
for permit programs in other neighborhoods.
Mr. Aknin indicated the rules for an RPP program would be slightly different
from the rules for an overnight parking permit program. Staff needed to
develop policies for an RPP program.
Council Member Schmid was referring to the emergency Ordinance of no
overnight parking.
Mr. Aknin reported no other neighborhood had requested an overnight
parking ban. Most requests focused on RPP programs related to commercial
intrusion into residential neighborhoods.
Council Member Schmid asked if parking ratios for dense commercial
development or dense housing development were appropriate. East Palo
Alto apartments were looking more like Palo Alto apartments.
Mr. Aknin explained that parking ratios would be one of the critical points of
the Downtown Development Cap process.
Council Member Schmid inquired if the Downtown Development Cap Study
would be performed soon.
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Mr. Aknin responded yes.
Council Member Burt inquired whether signage would be placed prior to
implementation and enforcement of parking restrictions.
Mr. Rodriguez explained the plan was to place signs on all the streets in the
program over the next two to three weeks.
Council Member Burt asked if Staff was working collaboratively with the City
of East Palo Alto on the parking problem.
Mr. Rodriguez answered yes.
Council Member Burt suggested parking on Woodland Drive could be a
stopgap measure until the new parking lots were ready. It was appropriate
to have super majority support to opt into a parking program. He inquired
whether Staff should be given discretion to grant hardship permits.
Mr. Aknin indicated neighborhood residents had not raised that concern. If
the issue was raised, Staff could return to the Council for guidance.
Council Member Burt supported adding Staff discretion to the Motion to
prevent Staff from returning to the Council for direction.
Mr. Aknin wanted to consider criteria for a hardship.
Council Member Burt wanted to leave hardship criteria to Staff discretion.
Mr. Aknin was agreeable.
Council Member Burt understood there were vacant parking spaces since
Equity Partners began charging for them. However, Staff indicated there
were no vacant spaces. He requested clarification of that issue.
Mr. Aknin was not sure all parking spaces were occupied.
Mayor Scharff inquired whether the parking problem began in 2011 when
Equity Partners bought the apartment complexes.
Mr. Aknin indicated the problem arose in 2012 once Equity Partners
implemented its policies.
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Mayor Scharff recalled the previous owners of the apartment complexes
attempted to raise rental rates. He agreed with Council Member Burt's
suggestion to allow Staff discretion to set criteria for hardships. He
requested the Motion include Staff discretion to extend permits for more
than one night.
Molly Stump, City Attorney, reported State law required the program be
authorized by Resolution or Ordinance. Under those circumstances, allowing
Staff discretion needed to be considered carefully and parameters set.
Mr. Aknin recommended the cost of the overnight permit be decreased to $1
or $2.
Mayor Scharff preferred Staff draft criteria and place the item on the
Consent Calendar. If three Council Members objected to the item, then they
could remove it from the Consent Calendar. The Council wanted the
program to work for the neighborhood.
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER that the residential parking permits shall not
exceed $5 a night and if possible may be purchased online from the City.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0