TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Appeal to Traffic Commission Denial of Disabled Blue Curb Parking Request at 2305 Connor Avenue MEETING DATE: October 24, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council will consider upholding the Traffic Commission’s action to deny blue curb parking request at 2305 Connor Avenue based on parking concerns in the City and the following circumstances consistent with the Blue Curb Parking Policy approved by City Council on October 11, 2022: (1) There are two existing blue curb spaces within a block of the property.
BACKGROUND:
The City received an application from Mrs. Saldana, a resident at 2305 Connor Ave., a single-family residence, requesting an on-street physically challenged accessible parking space (blue curb) in front of their residence. The application was evaluated following the Screening Criteria, which the property did not meet.
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 (see Attachment 1).
The Traffic Commission during its regularly scheduled meeting on September 13, 2023, heard staff report recommending denial and the applicants’ reasons requesting approval of their blue curb application (see Attachment 2). The Traffic Commission moved to deny the applicant’s request for a disabled blue curb parking space at 2305 Connor Ave due to there being two existing blue curb spaces within a block of the property. One of the blue curb spaces is located on Connor Avenue approximately 230-feet west of the property and the second is located on Leonis Street approximately 30-feet north of the property. A blue curb space is available to anyone who has a placard and is not a designated parking space for the applicant so the applicant may use the existing blue curb spaces.
The property does have a driveway and garage on-site, although the garage is not of sufficient length x width x height (20-feet x 12-feet x 8-feet) and the driveway is not of sufficient length x width (20-feet x 14-feet) to accommodate a handicapped vehicle.
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 October 2, 2023 (see Attachment 3). The applicant on the appeal letter stated that they need the handicap space to be installed on Connor Ave due to the walkway to the entrance of the property being accessible from Connor Ave. The applicant also stated that the existing handicap space on 2325 Connor Ave is not being used.
ANALYSIS:
Staff reviewed the existing conditions at 2305 Connor Ave and the following was determined: (1) There are two existing blue curb spaces within a block of the property.
The reason behind the rejection of a disabled blue curb parking space request for applicants is that there are existing blue curb spaces in the near proximity of the residence meaning that accommodations are already available that the applicants can take advantage of. A blue curb space is available to anyone who has a placard and is not a designated parking space for the applicant so the applicant may also use the existing blue curb spaces. Adding a third blue curb space would remove available street parking for other residents in the area.
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 or where there are no existing blue curb spaces 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 which will come from 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:
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 2305 Connor Ave
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.