sr-062309-11aCity Council Meeting: June 23, 12009
Agenda Item: 11®
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Director, Planning and Community Development
subject: Amendment of Preferential Parking Zone K
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Amend Zone K to change the restrictions on five blocks to: "No vehicle shall be
parked adjacent to any curb in Preferential Parking Zone K for more than two hours
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, and no vehicle shall be parked
between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. daily, except by permit." The five affected
blocks are:
14th, 15th and 16th Streets between Wilshire Boulevard and California Avenue
(three blocks), and
• California Avenue between 14th and 16th Streets (two blocks).
The current restrictions on these blocks are: "No vehicle shall be parked adjacent to
any curb in Preferential Parking Zone K for more than two hours between the hours
of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except by permit."
2. Approve the attached Resolution amending Preferential Parking Zone K and
amending Resolution 9344 CCS (Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa
Monica Re-Establishing Various Preferential Parking Zones) by replacing Exhibit A.
Executive Summary
Residents of four blocks in the WilMont neighborhood have petitioned for stricter
preferential parking restrictions due to recent changes along Wilshire Boulevard,
including the opening of a popular sports bar and the renovation of the Santa Monica-
UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital. Patrons of the sports bar park in the
residential neighborhood and residents report that late-night disturbances are frequent,
while employees and visitors of the hospital and other area businesses park on the
residential streets during the day. Staff is recommending the above restrictions as
determined by the residents of the area at a community meeting and a subsequent
survey. Ordering new signage will cost an estimated $750.
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Background
This area is located just north of Wilshire Boulevard and is zoned R2 (Low Density
Multiple Family Residential): Most of the buildings are older and were not designed with
today's auto-dependent lifestyle in mind, leaving many residents reliant on on-street
parking. Competing with residents for on-street parking are the patrons and employees
of the commercial businesses along Wilshire Boulevard, which include a sports bar,
retail stores, and the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital.
Lincoln Middle School is located directly north of this area. In addition to parking issues,
residents contend that the patrons of the sports bar, The Parlor, are loud at all hours of
the night and behave inappropriately as they walk to and from their vehicles.
The current preferential parking regulations for this area, which were most recently
amended by Council in 2003, state: "Two hour parking between the hours of 9 a.m. and
8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except by permit." The surrounding blocks in this
neighborhood have a variety of preferential parking restrictions, ranging from the
aforementioned regulations to the more stringent regulations on the 1200 block of 14th
Street: "No parking 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday and No parking 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sundays, except by permit." The blocks to the north, between Idaho and California
Avenues are unrestricted between Lincoln Boulevard and 15th Street.
Discussion
Residents of four blocks-in Zone K ,have submitted qualifying petitions to change their
existing regulations:
• 1100 block of 15th St. between Wilshire BI. and California Ave. (April 2008)
1100 block of 16th St. between Wilshire BI. and California Ave. (May 2008)
• 1400 block of California Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets (April 2008)
• 1500 block of California Ave. between 15th and 16th Streets (March 2008)
At this time, no petitions have been submitted to implement preferential parking
restrictions on the 1100 block of 14th Street between Wilshire Boulevard and California
Avenue. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the preapproved hours for this block be
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changed to match the .petitioning blocks, to spare this block the pressure of being
bookended by zones with overnight restrictions.
Current Situation
The following map shows the current preferential parking restrictions in the
neighborhood.
Current Preferential Parking in Neighborhood
ym.-9 pm Mon-Fn
& 3 pm -tam Su n
A list of the preferential parking restrictions on adjacent streets is included as
Attachment B.
Parking occupancy counts were conducted in the summer of 2008. The counts were
conducted in the evening, as this time was specifically identified by residents as being
the worst for parking, due in large part to the popularity of the sports bar. The counts
indicate that on-street parking in the study area is difficult to find in the evening.
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Average occupancies for the area range between 75 and 96 percent. Peak
occupancies of over 100% were observed on the 1100 block of 16th Street, meaning
that vehicles were illegally parking at red curbs or blocking driveways. Full study results
are included as Attachment C.
Public Outreach
Residents, businesses and others in the area were invited to a community meeting on
September 25, 2008. Twenty people attended and spoke about:
• the difficulties they have finding parking, especially since the creation of the drop-
off and pick-up zones along the north side of California Avenue at Lincoln Middle
School, which prohibit parking from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday;
• their fear that new preferential parking restrictions on some blocks will simply
move the parking problem to neighboring streets;
• Wilshire Boulevard patrons and employees, especially hospital employees and
bar goers parking on these streets; and
• the inconsiderate and unsafe behavior of bar patrons.
Residents also raised concerns that the valet operator for The Parlor uses their streets
to park customers' vehicles. The valet operation has been referred to the appropriate
City staff for follow up.
Some residents were concerned that changes to the zone will make it harder for parents
to park near Lincoln Middle School when there are events. Currently, John Adams
Middle School is located in an area with strict preferential .parking restrictions.
Whenever the school has an event, the admihistration requests that the Santa Monica
Police Department suspend enforcement for a specified duration. A similar
arrangement could easily be made for Lincoln Middle School. Additionally, a
representative for the hospital indicated that it would be possible to allow parents to use
their parking structure located on 15th Street and Arizona Avenue whenever Lincoln
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Middle School has events. Staff has provided the Assistant Principal with contact
information for the hospital and informed him of their offer.
Complete comments are included. as Attachment D.
Survev
No consensus was reached at the community meeting regarding the specific hours or
days that restrictions should be in effect. Subsequently, staff sent a survey to residents
to determine the best. restrictions for this neighborhood. A response rate of just over
12% was achieved. Residents were presented with three options that restricted parking
at night to residents only, while allowing for two hour parking during the day without a
permit. The only difference between these three options was the hours of the daytime
and evening restrictions. Additional options incltded "No parking anytime, except by
permit," "Unsure," and "Opposed to changing regulations." A copy of the survey is
included as Attachment E.
The following table summarizes the survey results:
Weekdays Saturdays Sundays
2 hr daytime, No parking nighttime 44% 38% 36%
No parking anytime 26% 32% 30%
Opposed to changing regulations 26% 27% 29%
Unsure 4% 4% 5%
'UOes not equal 1UU% due to rounding.
The survey results indicate that a plurality of the respondents favor allowing two hour
parking during the day and restricting parking to residents only at night. Staff is
recommending the most popular of the three variations on this theme presented to
residents: Two hour parking from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. and no parking 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.,
except by permit.
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Over a quarter of the respondents were opposed to changing the current regulations on
these blocks. The majority of these respondents do not live on the blocks in question
and are likely concerned about the parking problem being pushed to their streets. Staff
is confident that the extra parking capacity in the area afforded by the unregulated curb
along Lincoln Middle School will continue to prevent this situation, especially in the
evenings when the school is closed. Creating a preferential parking zone along the
frontage of Lincoln Middle School in the evenings is not recommended because
residents from nearby blocks rely on this parking, especially in the evenings. If this area
were to become a preferential parking zone, it is conceivable that the remaining blocks
in this neighborhood would be forced to petition in order to regain the ability to park
there.
See Attachment F for full survey results.
Alternatives
The Council could choose not to modify this zone and the current restrictions of "two
hour parking 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through. Saturday, except by permit" would be
retained. They could also choose different hours and types of restrictions than are
recommended in this report.
Environmental Analysis
The proposed project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Article 19,
Section 15301 (c) which was recently amended to define Class 1 exempt projects in the
following way: "Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting,
leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities,
mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving little or no expansion of use
beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination..." This exemption
lists as an example of "existing facilities:" "(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks,
gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities." Preferential parking zones.
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involve only the issuance of permits for the use of an existing public street and include
negligible or no expansion of this existing use.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
No change in revenue is anticipated as residents on affected blocks are already eligible
to purchase permits. Ordering new signage will cost an estimated $750, which is
available in account 544010 (Special Department Supplies).
Prepared by: Jason Kligier, Transportation Planning Assistant
Approved:
Eileen Fogarty
Director, Pla in d Community
Development
Attachments: A Resolution Establishing Preferential Parking, Exhibit A -
Preferential Parking Zones
B Current Preferential Parking Restrictions on Adjacent Streets
C Parking Occupancy Study Results
D Comments from Community Meeting
E Preferential Parking Survey
F Survey Results
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Fnnu~rr7nr7 4n Rnn nril•
Attachment B
Current Preferential Parking Restrictions on Adjacent Streets
Street Boundaries: Hours Status
Euclid Montana/Idaho 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
Euclid CaliforniaM/ilshire 2 hr gam-6pm; Mon-Sat Pre-approved :
& No parking 6pm-tam'
r Daily
Euclid Wilshire/Arizona No parking lam-tam Implemented
Daily
14t" Montana/Idaho 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
14t" California/Wilshire 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
14f" Wilshire/Arizona No parking gam-tam, Implemented
Mon-Sat & 3pm-tam Sun
15t" Montana/Idaho 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
15t" Calfornia/Wlshire 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Implementetl
15t" Wilshire/Arizona No parking gam-tam, Implemented
Mon-Sat & 3pm-tam Sun
16t" Montana/Idaho '', 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
16~" Washington/California 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mori-Sat Implemented
16t" Calfornia/Wilshire 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
17t" Montana/Idaho 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
17t" WashingtonlCalifornia 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
17t" CaliforniaM/ilshire 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
17t" Wilshire/Arizona '! No parking gam-tam, Implemented
i Mon-Sat & 3pm-tam Sun
Idaho 12t"/Euclid 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
Idaho Euclid/14t" ' 2 hr 9arn - 9pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
Idaho 14t"/15t" 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
Idaho 15t"/16t" 2 hr gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approvetl s
Idaho 16t"/17t" 2 hr .gam - 9pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
California 12th1Euclid ' 2 hr gam-6pm; Mon-Sat Implemented
& No parking 6pm-tam'
Daily
California Euclid/14'" 2 hr gam-6pm, Mon-Sat Pre-approved
& No parking 6pm-tam
Daily
California. 14th/15t" 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
California 15~"/16t" 2 hr gam - 8pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
California 16t~'/17t" 2 hr gam -8pm, Mon-Sat Implemented
Attachment C
Parking Occupancy Study Results
Neighborhood Parking Counts Thursday, May 1, 2008 Friday, May
9, 2008 Friday, May
30, 2008 Saturday, June
7, 2008
Total Spaces .Average
7:20 PM 8:45 PM 1.1:00 PM
7:30 PM
11:40 PM
10:00 PM Occupancy
California b/w 14th/15th
Attachment D
Comments from Community Meeting
General Comments
16th and Washington is a hard place to park
• Will new restrictions near Wilshire push the problem to-other blocks?
• Cab drivers park in the neighborhood
• Paint markings on the street to help people park
• Is there potential for angled parking?
• Enforcement is lacking
• The situation is dangerous for the many children in the area
Permits should only be issued if there is no on-site parking
• Should residents on the surrounding streets be pre-approved?
• The whole city should be pre-approved and everyone given permits
Parking is rarely a challenge. Do not create a PP zone.
• Opposed to more PP, it would make it difficult for visitors and friends.
• Finding. parking at night is very difficult.
• Restrict parking to residents at all times.
Lincoln Middle School
• LMS should let people park on blacktop more often during events
• People who recreate at the school on weekends and evenings
• Residents park at the school at night
• The school should open more parking to the residents at night
• LMS drop-off and pick-up is chaos
• Parking around. LMS should be for residents only at night
• Wants PP around LMS but allow for pick up and drop off.
• What is the liability for LMS if they allow parking at night?
• LMS functions make parking hard, but not a big problem.
• Can we change the drop-off and pick-up hours at LMS?
The drop-off and pick-up hours at LMS overlap with street cleaning,
making parking very difficult
Residents should be exempt from the drop-off and pick-up hours
• The drop-off and pick up zones created the parking problem
Wilshire Boulevard employees, patrons and visitors
• No parking lam to tam daily, so to exclude hospital and bar patrons
• Bar patrons park at 6 pm and don't leave until 2 am
• Hospital employees park overnight
• Construction workers for the hospital park in the neighborhood and will be
replaced by patients and employees
• Parlor bar, UCLA construction crew and UCLA employees park here.
Worse during street cleaning.
• UCLA employees on weekdays and bar patrons on nights & weekends.
If you allow 2 hour parking between 12 midnight and 2 am, the bar patrons
will park there for those 2 hours
• The Parlor supports the neighborhood.
Attachment E
Preferential Parking Survey
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey by the City of Santa tdonica regarding changes to the preferential parking
restrictions in your neighborhood. Your feedback is Important to us.
This survey should take less than 5 minutes of your time.
please note that preferential parking wn only he implemented on blocks that have submitted completed petitions and on blocks
which the Qty Council has approved to have preferential parkiny restrictions. This is not a petition, only a survey. OnIY residents can
purchase permits, which cast $15 each per Vear.
If you have enV yuestlons, please contact jasoakllgieKasmgov,net or call 330!456-8280
Only one survey per household please:
Name: ..'.1
Address A Unit #:
Email Address: ',
Phone Number:
What do you think are the best types of regulations for the following streets:
•SSth and 16th Streets between Wilshire Boulevard and California Avenue and
eCalifornia Avenue between 14th and 16th Streets?
Rvo hour parking Two hour parking Two hour parkiny
gam-6pm, No gam-opnt, No ]am-IDpm, No I am opposed to
parking lOpm ro parkiny 6pm to parkiny other No parkiny anytime, Unsure. changing the
tam, except by tam, except by times, except by except by permit current regulations.
permit, permit. permit.
f4onday-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday .
Other (please specify)
Comments:
i
i
Attachment F
Survey Results
Weekdays Saturdays Sundays
*2 hr gam-6pm, No parking 10pm-tam 9% 6% 7%
*2 hr gam-6pm, No parking 6pm-tam 28% 24% 21
~2 hr lam-10pm, No parking other times 7% 8% 8%
No parking anytime 26% 32% 30%
Unsure. 4% 4% 5%
Opposed to changing regulations. 26% 27% 29%
These options are equivalent as they all provide 2 hour parking during the day,
while restricting parking overnight. They were combined in the Staff Report to
capture the intent of the residents who voted for one of these options.
Question #2 -Comments about which hours regulations should be in effect.
^ This zone will only move the problem. x3
^ All residential streets north of Wilshire should have restricted parking. x2
• Bar noise.
• Opposed to PP and paying $15 per permit. x2
^ Hospital employees park on our streets. x2
^ 2 hour parking gam-6pm, No parking other times except by permit.
^ Weekends should be unrestricted
^ There should be unrestricted parking except for street cleaning times.
^ I want no parking anytime Mon-Fri but my second choice is Two hour
parking gam-6pm no parking 6pm to tam except by permit.
^ When a game is on during weekend, bar patrons take up our parking.
^ Two hour parking lam-6pm; No parking 6pm to tam, except by permit
^ These options do not take into account parents that need to pick up
students. There should be a grace period if parents need to go to school.
^ "There is a parking problem on Washington Ave between 14th and 16th.
Cars park for 6 days in the same place and only move for street cleaning.
^ I think the area has too many permit parking zones already, but I
understand that people who live here can't park at night.
^ Limit taxis to allow only two or three at a time
Question #3 -Open-ended comments
^ Employees (esp. hospital workers) park on our streets x12
• Noise from bar patrons at night is a disturbance. X10
^ This zone will only push the problem to our street. X7
• I do not think there is a problem with street parking in this area. X4
t of 2
Attachment F
Survey Results
^ I think limiting the parking for two hours during business hours and
restricting parking to permit holders overnight is a good compromise. X3
^ Speeding in the area x2
^ It would be unfair to local businesses and visitors to residents to allow
permit parking only x2
^ It's very hard to find parking after work. X2
^ This zone is important for safety reasons after dark. X2
• Valet services use our street for their overflow. X2
^ Parlor patrons park at LMS x2
^ During any Lincoln middle school activity it is almost impossible to park
^ Weekends are difficult for parking
• Two-hour parking beginning at lam, rather than gam, would be more
effective
• Enforcement does not work
^ Parking is now extremely limited on the west side of 16th between
California and Washington for pick up and drop off zones. (The school is
being overly accommodated in my view.)
• I can never find parking on my street no matter what time of day or night.
2of2
Reference Resolution No.
10413 (CCS).