APPROVED BY
REVISED CITY MANAGEE�''
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER, P.E., DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS/ CITY ENGINEER
DATE: MAY 23, 2023
SUBJECT: FEASIBILITY OF CREATING PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONES
WITHIN THE CITY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss the establishment of preferential parking zones in addition to individual districts within the City to potentially address on -street parking impacts experienced by residents located on contiguous streets outside of the boundaries of previous -established preferential parking districts.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Consider the feasibility of establishing preferential parking zones within the city and, following discussion, provide direction to staff on the matter.
BACKGROUND
Preferential parking districts are established within the City of Downey as permitted under Section 3199.6 of the Downey Municipal Code on individual street blocks when certain criteria are met, including percentage of parking occupancy, non-resident parking, and level -of -support among the residents within the proposed preferential parking district boundaries by petition. There are currently seven preferential parking districts in the City, not including the preferential parking district on a portion of Buckles Street under consideration at the May 23, 2023 City Council meeting.
At the April 11, 2023 City Council meeting, staff was asked to to evaluate the feasibility of creating preferential parking zones within the City in addition to individual districts. By establishing preferential parking "zones", the boundaries of qualifying preferential parking districts would be expanded to include contiguous streets which otherwise would be located outside of the preferential parking district boundaries. As such, residents located within the expanded district boundaries, or zone, on the contiguous streets will be
Preferential Parking Zone Concept Discussion
May 23, 2023
provided on -street parking relief by becoming eligible to purchase preferential parking permits as they also reside within the district.
For purposes of this evaluation, the area bound by Vultee Avenue, Bellflower Boulevard, Stewart & Gray Road and Buckles Street will be used as a "test" case for the preferential parking zone concept. It is pertinent to mention that on -street parking is currently prohibited at all times on the contiguous streets of Stewart & Gray Road (north side) and Bellflower Boulevard (west side).
This evaluation includes the following two alternatives:
Option 1 — Maintain Existing Preferential Parking Districts Option 2 — Implement Preferential Parking Zone
ANALYSIS
In order to evaluate the feasibility of creating a preferential parking zone within the aforementioned "test" area, the following alternatives were considered:
Option 1 — Maintain Existing Preferential Parking Districts This option focuses on the status quo of maintaining the existing preferential parking districts within the subject area located on the 11700-11800 block of Vultee Avenue and Corrigan Avenue, the 9040-9070 block of Raebert Street. It should be noted that a public hearing is being held at the May 23, 2023 City Council meeting to consider creating a preferential parking district for a portion of the 9010-9060 block of Buckles Street. The existing and proposed preferential parking districts are shown in Attachment A. These preferential parking districts restrict the time between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Vehicles may not be parked on these street blocks unless a valid residential permit is displayed on the vehicle.
These preferential parking districts were created to provide on -street parking relief for the residents on these street blocks, who would otherwise be adversely impacted by the overflow of on -street parking as well as late night disturbances due to noise and other nuisances (i.e., vehicles being parked too close to driveways, trash left behind, etc.) from nearby multi -family residential uses located on Buckles Street, Bellflower Boulevard, and Lakewood Boulevard, which lack sufficient on -site parking.
The disadvantage of the current system is that residents located on contiguous streets (i.e., Bellflower Boulevard) outside of the boundaries of the existing preferential parking districts within this area are adversely impacted in terms of on -street parking due to lack of on -site parking availability.
Option 2 — Implement Preferential Parking Zone in the "Test" Area
Preferential Parking Zone Concept Discussion
May 23, 2023
This option involves the implementation of a preferential parking zone within the subject area as illustrated in Attachment B. The concept with the establishment of a preferential parking zone within this area is to allow the single-family residents who reside on the contiguous portion of Bellflower Boulevard to park within the existing preferential parking districts located on Raebert Street, Vultee Avenue, Corrigan Avenue, and a portion of Buckles Street (if approved by City Council) with the purchase of permits to provide on - street parking relief for these residents. On -street parking is currently restricted along the section of Bellflower that is contiguous with the existing district on Corrigan Avenue and the proposed district on Buckles Street. Complaints have been received from one of the seven single-family residents that they wish to be added to a preferential parking zone since they are unable to park in front of their properties.
The implementation of the preferential parking zone would require an amendment to Section 3199.6 of the Downey Municipal Code to allow non-residents of the currently established preferential districts who reside on the aforementioned contiguous street to park on the permitted streets unrestricted just as they were allowed prior to the establishment of the existing preferential parking districts.
Under this option, the existing permittees of the existing preferential parking districts may object to the inclusion of the seven single-family residents on the contiguous portion of Bellflower Boulevard to being permitted to park on their streets as the action could reduce the benefit of having the preferential parking districts. As such, they may no longer desire to purchase permits, which may ultimately lead to the repealing of the districts.
However, under this option, the residents of the contiguous portion of Bellflower Boulevard would no longer be impacted in terms of on -street parking since they would be included within the expanded preferential parking zone and, therefore, would also be eligible to purchase permits to park on the streets located within the existing preferential parking districts.
If this option is selected, staff will notify affected residents and conduct a public hearing at a future City Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
None to receive and file the report.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Option 1 — Existing Preferential Parking Districts Attachment B: Option 2 — Preferential Parking Zone
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PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE CONSISTS OF THE 11700-11800 BLOCK OF LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD, VULTEE AVENUE, AND CORRIGAN AVENUE; THE 11700 BLOCK OF BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD; THE 9040-9070 RAEBERT STREET AND THE 9010-9060 BUCKLES STREET (COMPRISED OF SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNITS ONLY)