1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 23, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director VIA: Simone McFarland, Assistant Community Development Director By: Marcos Gonzalez, Housing Development Manager
SUBJECT: Discussion of a Safe Parking Program for Vehicle Dwellers
RECOMMENDATION
Note and file.
BACKGROUND
At the February 15, 2022 , Council meeting, Vice Mayor Schultz requested a first -step report to analyze the feasibility of creating a safe parking lot at the Hollywood -Burbank Airport for vehicle dwellers.
This request was prompted by former City of Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to open two safe parking programs at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) remote parking lot (owned by Los Angeles World Airports) and at the Van Nuys Flyaway Overflow parking lot.
According to the most recent 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Burbank has approximately 264 total people experiencing homelessness , which is a 9.3% reduction from 2020 .1 The 2022 Homeless Count showed 112 persons living in recreational vehicles (RV), cars, and vans in Burbank; this is a decrease of 24% in vehicle dwellers compared to the 2020 Homeless Count total of 146 vehicle dwellers. The Burbank Police Department separately calculates the number to be 50 vehicles and 15 to 20 RVs, for a total of 65 to 70 vehicle dwellers in Burbank on any given night. The difference between the City’s numbers and the reported numbers by LAHSA may be caused by vehicle dwellers parked in adjacent communities
1 The Homeless Count for 2021 was not conducted due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
2 just outside City limits. Many of Burbank’s vehicle dwellers are parked in isolated locations such as commercial corridors, public parking lots, and occasionally in residential neighborhoods. Staff has received complaints about a few homeless individuals parking in residential neighborhoods. These complaints are primarily from residents adjacent to Ralph Foy Park within the blocks of 3200 W. Victory Blvd, 1700 N. Ontario Street, and 2100 N. Hollywood Way.
General Overview of a Safe Parking Program
Safe parking programs are designed to provide a legal , safe, and stable environment, coupled with supportive services for households experiencing homelessness and living in vehicles. Supportive services typically include restrooms, security, case management, meals, vehicle repairs, and gas cards. Safe parking programs generally operate between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am though may vary in operating times, opening earlier or later , or allowing people to stay for longer periods of time . It is uncommon for a safe parking program to operate 24-hours/7 days a week. Vehicle dwellers must leave by a designated time each morning. Very few safe parking programs allow RV parking.
To participate in a safe parking program, vehicle dwellers typically must be homeless as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.2 While there is no time limit on how long a participant can remain in the program, t he average stay is 72 days. If a vehicle dweller fails to check -in for three consecutive nights without proper adequate notice, they may be removed from a safe parking program. Additionally, to use a safe parking lot, all vehicle dwellers must:
• Abide by the law;
• Possess or waiting to receive a current driver’s license and insurance; • Adhere to good neighbor policies enforced by the program operator; • Register with the Coordinated Entry System for Los Angeles County; • Not use generators and/or run car engines during the evening; • Abide by program curfews that limit noise; and
• Arrive within designated time periods unless other accommodations have been previously approved.
Los Angeles County Safe Parking Programs
The County of Los Angeles has more than 20 safe parking sites monitored or funded by LAHSA that are operated by various service providers . There is a safe parking program in each of the eight Service Planning Areas (SPAs), except for SPA 3. SPA 2, which includes Burbank, has a total of 110 spaces that are limited to cars only.
In 2022, the City of L os Angeles partnered with L os Angeles World Airports to use the following parking lots to allow overnight parking for homeless individuals and families:
1) LAX Lot E located at 6100 W 94th Street
2) Van Nuys FlyAway Overflow Parking Lot located on Gloria Avenue.
2 Final Rule on “Defining Homeless” 24 Code of Federal Regulations parts 91, 576 and 578. 3 The FAA approved the use of the lots and is allowing overnight car and RV parking. All vehicles must be removed during the day and n o permanent structures are allowed.
Additionally, the City of Los Angeles will reimburse Los Angeles World Airports for revenue diversion due to the removal of paid parking within the lots.
DISCUSSION
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Staff reached out to the Hollywood Burbank Airport administration to ask if the Airport had any unutilized lots available that might accommodate a safe parking program. The Airport staff’s response was that all their parking lots are currently being utilized as their traveler numbers have grown above pre-pandemic levels. More importantly, if there were parking lots available, the City would likely need to reimburse the Airport for the loss of revenue from paid parking and would forego revenue from Transient Parking Taxes.
Safe Parking Program Ramifications
Within the 2022-2027 Homelessness Plan, goal 4.3 states the following “Create a Safe Parking Program for vehicle dwellers”. However, there are several items that would need to be considered if a safe parking program were to be implemented . If Council directs staff to prepare a second step report on a safe parking program, staff w ill include an analysis of potential ramifications and possible options, such as:
• Enforcement;
• Location and adjacent areas;
• Funding & services;
• Legal considerations;
• Zoning and land use;
• Operable & non-operable vehicles, towing, repairs; and • Personal property liability
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The initial assessment to consider a safe parking program is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies), this project involves only a first-step request for possible future actions, which the City Council has not yet approved or funded and would require future consideration at a noticed public hearing includ ing potential consideration of discretionary appro val of a C onditional Use Permit or other City approval and any associated environmental assessment pursuant to CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
This first step report on a safe parking program does not have any fiscal impacts and does not take any current action to implement a program. Should Council direct staff to prepare a second step report, staff will include a detailed cost and staffing analysis for review.
4 CONCLUSION
The number of vehicle dwellers in Burbank is estimated to range between 65 to 70 vehicles, mostly cars. This is based on the number of vehicles reported during the 2022 Homeless Count and our homeless outreach observations. While Burbank does not separately t rack complaints regarding vehicle dwellers, there are known hot spots adjacent to parks and residential neighborhoods that vehicle dwellers often prefer.
When considering a safe parking program, it is important to evaluate whether a quick “solution” for vehicle dwellers might only lead to or create other concerns for the City and its vulnerable populations. Implementing a safe parking program will likely have to involve implementing other programs at the same time such as, additional homeless services and parking enforcement and/or restrictions. Additionally, a safe parking program should be fully explored weighing all potential options and outcomes, including positive and negative impacts to the community.
ATTACHMENTS
None