TO: Traffic Commission
SUBJECT: 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
MEETING DATE: July 12, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended to deny the applicant’s request for a blue curb due to the applicant not meeting the criteria set by the Blue Curb Policy as the property has existing parking onsite. If the Blue Curb request is denied by the Traffic Commission, the request may be appealed by the applicant to the City Council by submitting their request for appeal in writing to the City Clerk's Office within 14 calendar days from date of denial BACKGROUND:
The City of Commerce received an application from a resident at 7158 Watcher Street, a multi-family residence, requesting an on-street physically challenged accessible parking space (blue curb) to be installed in front of their residence. The resident Omar Muñoz requests that City staff look at existing on-street parking conditions to see if his request for a blue curb could be granted. The application was evaluated following the Screening Criteria, which the property did not meet, and a letter denying the resident’s request was sent on June 7, 2023 due to the resident’s property having a driveway and garage on-site with parking available. The applicant mailed in a Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission, which can be seen in Attachment 3, stating that the parking on-site is reserved solely for the property at the back, and he does not have permission to park on-site. The applicant was informed that since the location is on a public street that if the City were to install a blue curb it would be available to anyone who has a placard and is not a designated parking space for the applicant. Mr. Muñoz submitted the required blue curb request application along with the required signatures of the neighboring residents, which can be seen in Attachment 1.
Property Facts Explanation
Request Address Location 7158 Watcher Street
Property Type per LA County Assessor Map Multi-Family Residential Number of Units per LA County Assessor Map 2 units (combined with 7160 Watcher St)
Land Use Medium Multiple Residential
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. 3
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Speed Limit 25 mph
Street Width 40’ (feet)
Driveway (Width/Length) The Driveway is approximately 35’x16’ + 64’x10’
Lane Geometrics 1 lane in each direction
Alley No
Number of Vehicles in Household 1
Number of available parking spaces on property Approximately 8 parking spaces available on site
Can the driveway be used for access by the
disabled person’s vehicle?
Yes
Street Parking Availability Parking on both sides of the street On-site Parking Availability Yes
Garage 2 car garage available
Reason for Request The applicant is requesting a blue curb space because he has a medical
condition that makes it difficult for him to
walk long distances and he states that
he is not allowed to use the parking
available on-site.
Figure 1: Vicinity Map
ANALYSIS:
To process an application for blue curbs, an applicant must complete and submit a “Resident On-Street Blue Curb Request From” application available at the City, please refer to Attachment 1 for the application. Each application will be reviewed following the screening criteria on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the Traffic Commission in a two-step process as follows:
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Applicants are required to fill out and submit the “Resident On-Street Blue Curb Request Form” application available at the City, please refer to Attachment 1 for the application.
This serves as an initial screening tool for applicants based on 9 criteria, if YES is answered to any of the questions listed below (questions 1 through 9 in the application) the request for a blue curb will be denied and not brought before the Traffic Commission, except for Question 9 where it meets the exceptions outlined in the section “Exceptions” of the Policy. The applicant may dispute the decision by submitting a “Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission” form.
Screening Criteria Questions 1 through 9:
1. Does the request property have a driveway? (Yes)
2. Can at least one vehicle park in the driveway? (Yes)
3. Does the request property have a garage or carport? (Yes)
4. Does the request property have access to a back alley where a car can park inside the property or along the alley? (No)
5. Is there an existing blue curb within 1 block that can be used? (No)
6. Is this request for an apartment with 5 or more units? (No)
7. Does the request property have on-site parking? (Yes)
8. Is this request for bus or van pick up use? (No)
9. Is this request for a business or commercial property? (No) The applicant does not meet the criteria set forth by the Blue Curb Policy as the property has existing parking on-site. Although the property does have a parking on site, the resident has stated that the parking on-site is reserved solely for the property at the back, and he does not have permission to park on-site.
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Figure 2: View of the front area of the applicant’s residence.
Figure 3. Map of Properties Where Signatures Were Collected.
The applicant collected signatures from neighboring properties as indicated by a red dot above. Applicant’s residence is indicated by a red star.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve staff recommendation
2. Reject staff recommendation
3. Provide staff with further direction
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact if the Traffic Commission does not approve the installation of the disabled blue curb parking space. If the Traffic Commission 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Gina Nila,
Director of Public Works
Recommended & prepared by:
Traffic Engineering
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 27158 Watcher St Blue Curb Request Completed Application
2. Valid Disabled Person Placard Identification Receipt and Driver’s License
3. Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 1: Completed Application (1 of 4)
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 1: Completed Application (2 of 4)
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 1: Completed Application (3 of 4)
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 1: Completed Application (4 of 4)
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 2: Valid Disabled Person Placard Identification Card and Driver’s License
Traffic Commission Agenda Report – Meeting of 07/12/2023 7158 Watcher Street Blue Curb Request
Attachment 3: Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission