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November ~2, 1992
THE JlONORABLE CITli COUNCIL
Falo Alto, California
P9YDtowp TWo-HOur Parking L!ait-Statu, '.port
:&.eport 10 Btl.,
On July 13~ 1992 .. the city Council direct:~d sta.ft to prepare 11
report regarding the feasibility of two-h~ur parking limits in the
downtown area during lunch hours. This informational report
provides an update on the work that has been completed to date. No
council action is required at this time.
Pi'qus!lioll
There. are approximately 5,300 available parking spaces in the
Qowntown area. About 1, COO of these are on-street unmetered spaces
with a one-hour time limit. Members of the public and business
co~unity have expressed concerns that the one-hour limit does not
provide enouqh time durinq lunchtime to eat and sho~. As a result~
Council directed statf to look into the feasibility of extending
the one-hour limit to two hours during the lunchtime period.
Since receiving the assignment~ Police, Transpo=tation and Finance
staff have been assessing factors associated with parking limits
includinq siqnage, traffic flow and conqestion". parldnq space
turnover ~ neighborhood intrusion, pOtential cost.s and revenue
losses, methods of controlling sleeper pa~king, and implementation
requirements. Additionally, other possible altl!rnative resolut:i..ons
to the problem such as ·Parkulatcrs" and vouchsr programs are b~ing
researched ana reviewed.
In attempts to meet the needs of the downtown business c01munity,
staff has also »et with the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce parking
subcommittee ana the Downtown Marketing Committee to discuss ideas
and alternatives and to obtain tt.eir input. staff anticipates
returning to council in late DecemlJer or early January .... ith
recommendations based upon t.he information obtained from these
discussions and our research.
In preparation for the approaching holiday season, a decision has
once again been made to provide an additional hour's grace period
for parkinq in the downtown area. The time limit extension pro
vides for two-hour on-street parking all day. For many years,
grace periods were provided only during the days just preceding
Thanksgiving and Christmas. I,.ast year, the grace period was
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extended through the entire holiday season. This year, t.he
extended time limits \Will be permitted trom November 25, ~992
throuqh J8.n':J~ry 2:, 1993. Downtown :cuslnesses have been informed
and staff will ensure that me~rs of the public .are notified.
'l'he additional hour of parkir.g during the holidar season vill
only provide additional time for visitors t.o the dovntown area,
will also provide staff with more information to deter-mine
imr10t of changes in time limits.
R'.pectfU~lyr;U.bmitte~,
I \.
Police Chief
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