CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: September 17, 2024
Subject
Designation of Residential Permit Parking (RPP) on the north side of Lauretta Drive between Ann Arbor Avenue to 200 feet east of Ann Arbor Avenue, the south side of Lauretta Drive between Ann Arbor Avenue and a point 150 feet east of Ann Arbor Avenue, and on Ann Arbor Avenue between Lauretta Drive and Hazelbrook Drive.
Recommended Action
Conduct the first reading of Ordinance 24-XXX, designating a Residential Permit Parking Zone on Lauretta Drive between Ann Arbor Avenue to 200 feet east of Ann Arbor Avenue (north side), Lauretta Drive between Ann Arbor Avenue to 150 feet east of Ann Arbor Avenue (south side), and on Ann Arbor Avenue between Lauretta Drive and Hazelbrook Drive, daily between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Reasons for Recommendation
Established under the authority of California Vehicle Code Section 22507, Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 11.27 was established to allow designation of preferential parking zones in Cupertino. Preferential parking zones, also known as permit parking zones, involve a parking restriction on designated streets from which residents are exempt if a valid permit is displayed on their vehicle. These areas are generally areas permitted to prevent overflow parking from outside the neighborhood from encroaching on residential streets from within a neighborhood. Residential neighborhoods located near schools or large parks can be especially susceptible to the impacts of overflow parking, often to the extent that the residents themselves have difficulty finding on-street parking near their home. The establishment of preferential permit parking zones, through the process outlined below, is a means of addressing this issue.
The process for a resident to request a preferential parking zone includes:
Staff review of the request to ensure that the establishment of a permit parking zone will not negatively impact adjacent streets that may not have permit parking.
Resident circulation of a petition in support of establishing permit parking is needed.
Requirement that two-thirds of residents that front the proposed permit parking zone support the change to proceed with the request.
Confirmation by staff that residents received the petition, and the results are valid.
Payment of fee per the City authorized Fee Schedule.
Consideration by City Council and enactment of ordinance revisions.
In this instance, each of the process steps listed above has been completed except for the City Council adoption and enactment of the ordinance.
Ann Arbor Avenue and Lauretta Drive are residential streets in the Garden Gate neighborhood of the City (see Attachment B for map of area). These streets are very close to and within walking distance of Memorial Park. Due to the proximity of these streets to park amenities, some park visitors use these streets for parking rather than park in one of Memorial Park's two parking lots. Due to the recent increased use of park amenities at Memorial Park, Ann Arbor Avenue and Lauretta Drive have become impacted by overflow parking from park users. A contributing factor is that Christensen Drive and Ann Arbor Court, which are immediately adjacent to the northern edge of Memorial Park, are currently designated permit parking areas (these streets were designated a permit parking area in 1996) and therefore are unavailable for parking by the general public. A petition has been received from residents on Ann Arbor Avenue and Lauretta Drive requesting permit parking be established daily between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to coincide with the restriction on the neighboring permit parking zones along Christensen Drive and Ann Arbor Court.
The petition has been signed by 81 percent (9 out of 11) of the neighborhood's property owners, and all steps of the process as outlined above have been completed, with the final step of City Council consideration being addressed with the proposed recommended action. The 11 residents understand that they will be subject to enforcement during the posted times and that permits will need to be displayed on their vehicles when parking on the street. All 11 residents, as well as nearby residents in the neighborhood, have been notified that this item will be considered by the City Council on September 17.
City Council is not obligated to approve an application for a preferential parking zone. If Council believes the creation of a preferential parking zone would significantly inconvenience or incommode the general public, the application for preferential parking zone may be denied. If the application is denied, no further action is necessary. Initial application fees paid by the applicant for the administrative work performed to date would be forfeit, and no additional fees would be collected for implementation.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
A fee of $1,411 has been paid by the neighborhood for administrative costs related to review of the petition per the City’s fee schedule. Upon approval of the second reading of the ordinance, an additional fee of $1,149 will be paid by the neighborhood for costs related to fabrication and installation of signs. The ongoing costs for establishing this permit parking zone are paid for by the City (approximately $240 annually), as the City does not charge residents for ongoing renewal of permits.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
This action is not subject to environmental review because it is not a project, or alternatively, it is exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines section 15301(c) minor alteration of existing street. Additionally, the project is exempt from environmental review per CEQA section 15061(b)(3) due to there being no possibility of significant effect on the environment because of the parking restrictions on Ann Arbor Avenue and Lauretta Drive. _____________________________________
Prepared by: David Stillman, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Ordinance
B – Permit Parking Map