CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
September 17, 2024 {{section.number}}d
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONADO, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING A BLUE CURB ZONE IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE AT 800
A AVENUE
RECOMMENDATION:
Find the blue curb designation categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines (Section 15301 - Existing Facilities); adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, designating a blue curb zone in front of the residence at 800 A Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Robert Swales and Mrs. Erin Swales, guardians for Gianluca Swales, requested the installation of a residential blue curb zone in front of the residence at 800 A Avenue. Mr. and Mrs.
Swales have provided appropriate documentation of a condition that impacts the mobility of Gianluca Swales.
On August 22, 2024, the Traffic Operations Committee voted 5-0 in favor of installing a blue curb zone at this location (See Attachment 2 and 4).
ANALYSIS:
The City of Coronado has a blue curb policy (Attachment 3) that attempts to balance residents’ needs for disabled parking zones with the high demand for on-street parking. Relevant portions of the City’s Blue Curb warrant criteria and additional analysis conducted related to this specific request is as follows:
The preservation of parking for all City residents is a priority. While the installation of blue curb zones in residential areas limits the availability of certain parking locations, blue curb zoners are sometimes warranted. The following criteria should be used to evaluate requests for blue curb zones within residential areas on a case-by-case basis. Blue curb zones in residential areas will be considered warranted if the following conditions are met:
a. The applicant can demonstrate their “primary residence” is the address where the blue curb zone is being requested.
Mr. and Mrs. Swales provided a copy of the lease agreement demonstrating 800 A Avenue is their primary residence. Therefore, this condition IS met; b. The applicant (or guardian) is in possession of a vehicle with valid disabled plates, placard, or sticker. In an effort to maintain parking for neighborhood residents, applicants (or guardians) that do not own a vehicle or have a valid driver’s license, but are in possession of disabled plates, placards, or stickers, do not satisfy this requirement. A photocopy of the applicant/guardian’s driver’s license, current vehicle registration, and current disabled parking registration must be submitted to the City.
Mr. and Mrs. Swales provided a copy of their current vehicle registration as well as proof of issuance of a disabled parking placard from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, this condition IS met;
c. The residential property does not have space which could be reasonably converted to disabled parking. Improvements such as doorway widening, handrails, or ramp installations are considered reasonable for residents to install prior to requesting blue curb zones. Expansion of an existing garage or other significant structural improvements needed to convert space or access-ways to accommodate disabled parking is not considered reasonable to ask of residents.
The property has a carport fronting Eighth Street; however, at only 9 feet wide it is narrower than an accessible van space (14 feet). Considering the dimensions of the carport and that the structure cannot reasonably be converted to disabled parking, this condition IS met; d. A physician certifies that the disabled person is unable (even with the aid of crutches, wheelchair of walker) to travel more than 50 feet between his or her home and automobile without the assistance of a second person. Disabilities such as a broken foot or leg that only temporarily limit mobility do not satisfy this requirement.
Mr. and Mrs. Swales have submitted a letter from Gianluca Swales’ physician stating he has medical conditions that make him unable to travel more than 50 feet without assistance.
Therefore, this condition IS met;
If approved as recommended the blue curb zone is required to be renewed on an annual basis in accordance with City policy. If/when the blue curb zone is no longer needed it will be removed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to install a blue curb zone with associated pavement markings is $225 and will be paid by the requestor.
ALTERNATIVE:
The Council could elect not to install a blue curb zone at this location.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Installation, modification, or removal of relatively small amount of red, blue, white, yellow, and green curb zones is categorically exempt pursuant to Article 19, Section 15301 – Existing Facilities – Operation and minor alterations of public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 2024-54
2. Location Map & Property Frontage
3. Blue Curb Warrant Policy
4. Proposed Blue Curb Location
Submitted By: Public Services and Engineering Department / Katie Odiorne