TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Appeal to Traffic Commission Denial of Disabled Blue Curb Parking Request at 7158 Watcher Street MEETING DATE: September 26, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider upholding the Traffic Commission’s action to deny blue curb parking request at 7158 Watcher Street 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 consistent with the Blue Curb Parking Policy approved by City Council on October 11, 2022.
BACKGROUND:
The City received an application from Mr. Muñoz, a resident at 7158 Watcher Street, a 2-unit family residence, requesting an on-street physically challenged accessible parking space (blue curb) in front of their residence. Mr. Muñoz specified that the reason for the blue curb request is because the parking on-site is reserved solely for the property at the back, and he does not have permission to park on-site.
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 October 11, 2022 (Attachment 1).
The Traffic Commission during its regularly scheduled meeting on July 12, 2023, reviewed the staff report recommending denial and the applicants’ reasons requesting approval of their blue curb application (Attachment 2). The Traffic Commission moved to deny the applicant’s request for a disabled blue curb parking space at 7158 Watcher Street due to the applicant’s property having parking on-site. The property’s driveway can accommodate approximately 8 vehicles; the driveway is approximately 35-feet by 16-feet and then narrows to 10-feet in width for 64-feet.
The applicant 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 August 3, 2023 (Attachment 3).
ANALYSIS:
Staff reviewed the existing conditions at 7158 Watcher Street and the following was determined: (1) Applicants’ driveway can be used for access by the physically challenged person’s vehicle; and (2) Applicant’s property 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 residence indicated that there is a driveway and a garage on-site and the applicant can park their vehicle on the driveway.
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 lump sum cost of painting the curb blue and installing the disabled person sign next to the blue curb is approximately $800 and budgeted in the Public Works Operating Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Reject recommendation
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.
Recommended by: Gina Nila, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Traffic Commission Agenda Report
Request to Appeal to the City Council the Traffic Commission Decision to Reject the Disabled Blue Curb Parking Space at 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Policy
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.