Loading...
SR-120208-3BCity Council Meeting: ®ecember 2, 2008 Agenda Item: To: Mayor and City Council From: Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works Subject: Neighborhood Impacts of Group Exercise on 4th Street Median at Adelaide Drive Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council review and comment on the staff report and provide further direction, as required. Executive Summary Although there has been an ordinance prohibiting the use of medians for anything other than walking or running since 1970, the 4th Street median south of Adelaide Drive is regularly used for exercising, stretching, group fitness classes and pick-up gyms. Nearby residents have expressed serious concerns about this use and the associated noise, traffic, and litter. In spite of many attempts to use proactive methods to secure compliance including education, new signs, intermittent enforcement, etc., the 4t" St. median at Adelaide Dr. has attracted increasing numbers of people utilizing the area for exercise and other activities that are not permitted by the ordinance. A Park Ranger has been assigned to oversee the area as part of a regular rotation which has minimized non-permitted use of the median. Staff conducted a 1,000 foot survey of residents to gauge community concerns, held a community neighborhood meeting and has begun discussion of potential options and solutions. There is no fiscal impact to continue with the current periodic enforcement of the city ordinance with Park Rangers as already established. If Council proposes. other actions that have fiscal impacts, funds vvill be identified in the current adopted budget. Background Staff has received complaints from neighbors over the last year and a half requesting assistance to stem the increase in commercial and group exercise activities on the median at 4th Street and Adelaide. Ordinance 4.20.010, adopted. in 1970, prohibits the use of medians for any use other than jogging or walking. Recently there has been a noticeable increase in organized group exercise activities including "pickup gyms". 1 Neighborhood impacts include street and sidewalk congestion from group classes, stationing gym or massage equipment in the median; increased traffic, litter and noise. Discussion Residents proximate to 4~" Street and Adelaide drive have become increasingly frustrated with impacts of the use of the median. Although the 4th Street median has had signs posted for years prohibiting its use and new ground level signs recently installed, these have been widely ignored by group exercisers. In spite of the prohibition, the use of the median for other uses has been increasing. The median has become a gathering spot for groups, paid fitness coaches and individual exercisers, many of whom create noise, trash and human waste issues. The noise starts as early as 4:00 a.m. and often continues well into the evening. Recently, a Park Ranger has been assigned to oversee the area as part of a regular rotation. This rotation activity is different from the oversight duties of permanent Park Rangers stationed at eight (8) city parks: Airport, Clover, Douglas, Marine, Memorial, Palisades, Reed and Virginia. In spite of many attempts to use the proactive methods to secure compliance including education, new signs, intermittent enforcement, etc., the 4~" St. median at Adelaide Dr. has attracted increasing numbers of people utilizing the area for exercise, etc. Staff has worked with neighbors from adjacent residences on a number of short term interventions to disrupt negative impacts and behaviors. In addition, staff conducted a 1,000 foot survey of residents to gauge community concerns, held a community neighborhood meeting and has begun discussion of potential options and solutions. Public Outreach Staff began a series of steps to gather community input ranging from surveying neighbors to gauge community concern about the activities. Attachment 1 is a summary of the results received from the survey sent to nearby residents. Attachment 2 is a sampling of residents' response to the open space survey. 2 In addition, a community meeting was held at the Main Library on October 30, 2008 with about fifty (50) concerned residents attending. The goal has been to understand all perspectives, capture areas of agreement and potential areas for further action and potential solutions. The staff presentation provided at the community meeting (included as Attachment 3) included a summary of the survey results. Attachment 4 is a summary of community suggestions provided at the meeting. Staff will evaluate additional measures that can be taken to address the neighbors concerns, present recommendations to the City Manager, and return to City Council for further direction, if required. A second community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, .January 8, 2009 to present to-the community any decisions for further action on the part of the City. Financial Impacts & Budget Actions There is no fiscal impact to continue with the current periodic enforcement of the city ordinance with Park Rangers as already established. Prepared by: Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works Approved: Forwarded~to Council: Lee E. Swain P. L ont Eti Director, Public Works Ci Manager Attachment 1 -Results of Resident Survey of Median & Parkway Usage Near 4th Street and Adelaide Drive Attachment 2 -Sampling of Residents' Response to Open Space Survey Question Attachment 3 -Staff Presentation at October 30, 2008 Community Meeting Attachment 4 - Summary of Community Suggestions 3 Attachment 1 ~' RESULTS OF RESIDENT SURVEY OF MEDIAN & PARKWAY USAGE NEAR 4T" STREET AND ADELAIDE DRIVE The "Resident Survey of Median & Parkway Usage" was distributed by the City of Santa Monica to the 4th St. and Adelaide Dr. neighborhood to obtain feedback from the impacted community concerning the increased usage of medians and parkways for exercise-related activities other than walking orjogging. Approximately three hundred (300) residents responded to the survey. 30% Genearal Reaction to Use of Medians for Activities other than Walking or Jogging 25°/ zo^r o t s°i to% s% o°i - Strongly Somewhat Don't Care Not Sure Somewhat Strongly Support Support Oppose Oppose Most residents (277 or 97%) reported that they have observed people using the medians and parkways in their immediate neighborhood for exercise-related activities otherthan walking orjogging. Of the residents who reported this, approximately half support the use of medians and parkways for exercise- related activities and half oppose it. The exact breakdown of residents' levels of support is shown in the graph at left. Those residents that either somewhat oppose or strongly oppose median and parkway use were asked to identify the cause(s) of their opposition. Causes of opposition included: use by large croups (38%l. traffic (31%1. litter 129%1. wear and tear on landscaping (28%), blocking streets and walkways (26%l. noise 125%1. and loss of privacy (21%l. The figures are shown in the graph below in decreasing order of what disturbs respondents the most about median and parkway use. In terms of a remedy to discourage median and parkway use by individuals and groups for exercising, 21% of respondents would support the removal of Brass and the replanting of affected medians with trees, bushes and/or ground cover. However, of those who support the conversion of the medians to exercise-unfriendly terrain, only 9% said they would support a new local property assessment in the immediate area to cover the cost of rep lanting affected medians. Respondents were given the opportunity to write in suggestions of alternative actions or recommendations. Comments representative of recurring themes are printed on the back of this page. Other comments and questions can be directed to public.works@smgov.net or 310/458- 8221 (TDD/TTY 310/917-6266). Please plan to attend a second community meeting on January 8. 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Santa Monica Main Library for a report on any further action to betaken by the city. What Bothers You? 40% 35% 30 25% __ __ ___ _ _- 75% ~o°r° 5% - % o large Traffic Litter Wear& Street Noise Loss of groups tear blockage privacy Attachment 2 SAMPLING OF RESIDENTS' RESPONSE TO OPEN SURVEY QUESTION "What other actions could be taken to prevent the exercise use of public open space?" Permit Parking "Parking Permits for the residents to discourage people driving to our neighborhood." "The permits have been a great help on 4th Street-thank you!" "Extend restricted/priority parking hours.' Signage "Putting signs up prohibiting commercial use and noting that medians are not public parks." "Post signs prohibiting exercise classes/limiting use to walking jogging only." "Post signs asking for courtesy to neighbors/limiting noise." "More visible signs" "Put upsigns - No Exercise area:' "Signs reminding people that this is a residential area..:' "The yellow small signs ... suffice:' Park Ranger & Police Patrols "Extra patrols at random times." "Signage and enforcement" "Penalties/citations" "Once the police presence is gone, people/trainers etc. will return." "We can't patrol it 24/7." "Having the police presence at 4t" & San Vicente near stairs has helped -please continue:' "The Park Rangers have helped but you probably can't afford them forever!" "Fines" "Police enforcement" "Enforce no littering:' "Constant monitoring by police" "I don't think it's a good use of the time of Park Rangers:' Alternative Public Areas "Identify public areas that can be used for exercise that do not impact residential areas." "Take away access to stairs:' Public Space for Public Benefit "No action is required" "None!" "Why not find ways to make the area MORE accessible?" "All public open spaces should be available for exercise, as Tong as it is safe and lawful." "It's open public space which should be for the use and benefit of aII citizens." "I love the exercise that I see along the medians, makes me feel like I live in a small town and not a faceless city." "The City should encourage, not discourage exercise:' "I think it's wonderful our residents (and visitors) have the freedom and access to the various grass areas. It encourages clean, fun, social activities and provides for a safer neighborhood..." "These grass areas are for rich, poor and all as long as they are lawful in action and behavior." "Please -let the folks use the beautiful landscaped areas for self-improvement & physical enjoyment:' "This ordinance should be immediately repealed:' "There is so little park space north of Montana, that use of the median on 4`h makes good sense." License Fee for Groups "...fitness instructors who are conducting business should pay license fees & business taxes..:' "License fee for groups of 4 or more" "Some days there are 5-10 group classes going on:' "Inspections to make sure instructors are properly licensed to do business in Santa Monica." Replanting "I wouldn't go thru the cost of replanting." "NO new taxes:' "It's a waste of taxpayer's money & loss of green space to replace the grass medians just because some groups are exercising there." Attachment 3 ~ Welcome Residents! Community Meeting regarding 4T Street Metlians October 30, 2008 630-830 p.m. se:~. xom..• Santa MOnlCa Main Library MUlGpuryose ROOm ~ City Team • Elaine Polachek, Deputy City Manager • Kate Vernez, Assistant to the Cily Manager ' • Tim Jackman, Chief of Police • Barbara StinchGelq Direccr of Community and Cultural Services • Joan Akins, Acting Director cf Ccmmunity Maintenanra • Lee Swain, Director cf Public Works • Ken Kirby, Facilitator ~ Purpose of Meeting fnv~a Xaoien {A. h • Invite neighbors to describe their concerns to gauge impacts • Hear suggestions for potential strategies to best address major community concerns Adelaide Stairs The City of Santa Monica has no jurisdiction over the Adelaide Stairs. The stairs are within the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles. Attachment 3 City Municipal Code 4.20.010 Use of median PLE ASE` planting strips. . It shall he unlawful to use the median planting strips far anything but jogging or w'It°"o ~~JS^9 walking. All other activities ~ r are strictly prohibited. (Prior code § 4500; added by Ord. No. 842CCS, adopted 9/22/70) ~ Survey Results ~:;..oo...• 1. Have you observed people using the medians and parkways (the grass areas in the center and sides of the roadway) in your immediate neighborhood for exercise activities other than walking or Jo99in9~ Yes-97% No-3% Attachment 3 ~ Survey Results ]nets Xonien` 2. If yes, what is your general reaction to this activity? Strongly support this use 28% Somewhat support this use 14% I don't rare t5% I'm not sure hcw I feel 1 Somewhat oppose this use 77% Strongly oppose this use 25% TOTAL 100% ~ Survey Results 5nerv Noeien` 3. Do you support the removal of grass and the replanting of affected medians with trees, bushes and/or ground cover to discourage their use by individuals and groups for exercising? Yes-21% No-72% NR-7% ~ Next Steps B.oY Nwlef • City staff will analyze all information provided and make recommendations to City Manager • City Manager will make a decision on any furtherffuture city action • City staff will report decision back to the community at a second meeting, January 8, 2009 at 6:30 in the Multipurpose Room of the Santa Monica Main Library. ~ Survey Results 2a. If ycu answeretl "somewhat opposed or strongly oppaseQ please answer the s..~. a..:d follawing: What in'paNwlar bothersyou about this activity?(Please check all that apply.} Privacy 21% Noise 25% Blocking streets and walkways 26% wearana rear °a tart 2°% ' Ldter 29% Traffic 31% Large groups 38% ~ Survey Results 3a' Would you support a new local property assessment in the immediate area to cover the cost of replanting. affected medians? Yes-9°/p No-25°/p NR-66% Attachment 4 SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY SUGGESTIONS General: Take quick action for interim solution Survey stair users Notify stair' users and public of next meeting. Maintenance: Pick up trash on weekends Add trash cans Budget more for frequent maintenance Projects: Add restrooms Additional signs Build stairs on bluffs Provide drinking fountain(s) Fence stairs (to limit use to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Build alternate stairs Connect stairs with sidewalk Stripe street for pedestrian walkway Convert median to community garden Install security cameras Install walkway on hillside Add signs to bathrooms at Palisades Park & LA. City beach Add parking signs to Ocean Ave. Turn median into community garden rather than replanting median Install metered parking Enforcement: More aggressive enforcement Periodic enforcement (staff suggests continuing the same enforcement with park rangers) Site pedestrians using street Use volunteers to monitor use of median Self police Regulatory: Revise or reverse Ordinance Implement 24-hour parking restrictions Permit use by trainers Close stairs Restrict time usage Convert Adelaide Dr. to one-way between Ocean Ave. & 4t" St Close 4'" St. area to pedestrians only Make the median a city park Community: Distribute flyers with code of ethics Start community discussion group Staff suggests encouraging L.A. to install signs on stairs (for those going down)