TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Appeal of Traffic Commission Denial of Disabled Blue Curb Parking Request at 2241 Strong Avenue MEETING DATE: July 13, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council will consider upholding the Traffic Commission’s action to deny blue curb parking request at 2241 Strong Avenue based on parking concerns in the City and the following circumstances: (1) Applicants’ driveway can be used for access by the physically challenged resident’s vehicle and (2) Applicant has a garage of sufficient size to accommodate the physically challenged resident’s vehicle consistent with the Blue Curb Parking Policy approved by City Council on February 2, 2021.
BACKGROUND:
On January 11, 2022, the City received an application from Mr. Ricardo Reyes, resident at 2241 Strong Avenue, a single-family residence, requesting an on-street physically challenged accessible parking space (blue curb) in front of their residence. Mr. Reyes specified that the reason for the blue curb request is because there is only one parking space on-site that is accessible since their driveway narrows to about 8-feet wide which does not allow them to comfortably open the vehicle doors and access their vehicle and there are two handicapped people in the residence, his wife and himself.
Based on a thorough review, staff recommended to the Traffic Commission that the blue curb request be denied consistent with the revised “Policy and Procedures for On-Street Physically Challenged Accessible Parking Space Policy (Blue Curb Parking Policy)” that was adopted by the City Council on February 2, 2021 (see Attachment 1).
Staff presented to the Traffic Commission, during its regularly scheduled meeting on May 11, 2022, a report of the applicants’ reasons requesting approval of their blue curb application and recommended denial (see Attachment 2). The Traffic Commission moved to deny the applicant’s request for a disabled blue curb parking space at 2241 Strong Avenue due to the applicant having parking on-site and because two of the signatures submitted by the applicant were located at the other end of the block and not near the resident’s property, which is not consistent with the adopted policy. The policy requires five signatures of “nearby residents/neighbors” and they “must live on the same block as the applicant” due to impacts of restricting neighboring properties’ access to street parking.
The applicants subsequently submitted their appeal to the City Council to overturn the Traffic Commission’s decision to deny their application. The City Clerk received the signed and dated appeal form on May 17, 2022 (see Attachment 3).
ANALYSIS:
Staff reviewed the existing conditions at 2241 Strong Avenue and the following was determined: (1) Applicants’ driveway can be used for access by the physically challenged person’s vehicle and (2) Applicant has a garage of sufficient size to accommodate the physically challenged resident’s vehicle.
The reason behind the rejection of a disabled blue curb parking space request for applicants that have a driveway, a garage or additional space for a driveway is that accommodations are already available that the applicants can take advantage of. Blue curbs are considered for special hardship circumstances where a disabled person has no other reasonable spaces to park their vehicle (no driveway, no garage, and no other spaces to use as a driveway) to access their residence. The survey of the applicant’s residence indicated that there is a driveway and a garage where the applicant can park their vehicles either in the driveway or the garage. Storage of items within the driveway or inside the garage is not considered a valid reason for granting a disabled blue curb parking space.
Per the adopted Blue Curb Parking Policy, it is the objective of this policy to accommodate request for on-street physically challenged accessible parking spaces on residential streets/areas when no off-street or onsite parking option is available.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact if the City Council approves staff recommendation. If the City Council approves the installation, the cost of painting the curb blue and installing the disabled person sign next to the blue curb is approximately $800 which is budgeted in Account No. 10-5140-56070 Sidewalk/Curb Maintenance and Repair.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Reject recommendation; if the City Council grants the appeal, authorize staff to prepare a resolution indicating such and allowing the Mayor to sign it.
Provide staff with further direction
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan:
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle 4, Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Approved and recommended by: Gina Nila, Acting Director of Public Works Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted by: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Blue Curb Policy
Traffic Commission Agenda Report
Request to Appeal to the City Council the Traffic Commission Decision to Reject the Disabled Blue Curb Parking Space at 2241 Strong Avenue
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.