Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-7265 Meeting Date: 12/19/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE IN THE SOUTHERLY PORTION OF THE 500 BLOCK OF N. GERTRUDA AVENUE ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2312-134, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CREATING A PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE FOR THE RESIDENCES ABUTTING THE SOUTHERN 400 FEET OF THE 500
BLOCK OF N GERTRUDA AVENUE, SUBJECT TO OBTAINING A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT; AND ESTABLISHING THE TIME LIMITS OF THE PREFERNTIAL PARKING ZONE AS FROM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE
PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
FOR CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to a resident petition and the subsequent Public Works & Sustainability Commission (PWSC) recommendation, staff is bringing forward a discussion to consider the establishment of a preferential parking zone (PPZ) for the southerly portion of the 500 block of N. Gertruda Avenue. A preferential parking program would allow only vehicles registered to residents of the block displaying a valid parking permit to park on City streets in the zone during certain hours of the day, proposed to be Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Preferential parking zones are addressed in the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) and allow the City Council to establish preferential parking zones on residential streets (or portions thereof) for the benefit of residents adjacent thereto.
The required findings and procedures are outlined in RBMC §3-7.1701 to 1706 <https://library.qcode.us/lib/redondo_beach_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_3-chapter_7- article_17?view=all>. The RBMC requires that the specific thresholds be met to establish a preferential parking zone, including receiving sufficient signatures of petitioned residents in the zone, completion of a parking study asking whether there is an excessive impact of commuter vehicles on residential streets, and determination of certain findings by staff. These steps have been completed and the thresholds have been met. The RBMC then requires the PWSC to hold a public hearing and determine if a basis exists to establish the PPZ according to criteria in the Ordinance. The PWSC held a hearing on August 28, 2023 and determined that a basis exists and has recommended the matter be advanced to the City Council. A summary of the requirements and procedure can be found
N.1., File # 23-7265 Meeting Date: 12/19/2023
in the PWSC’s Administrative report of this item presented on August 28, 2023.
City Council approval to implement a PPZ requires the passage of a resolution, as per the RBMC.
The 500 block of N Gertruda Avenue is within the Coastal Zone so establishing a PPZ at this location also requires a Coastal Development Permit. Establishment of a PPZ is not within the City’s Local Coastal Permit authorization, so the matter will need to be forwarded to the Coastal Commission.
Recognizing this requirement, staff contacted the Coastal Commission following PWSC approval on August 28, 2023, to gauge how the PPZ would be received. Coastal Commission staff have indicated that PPZs are not generally supported by the Commission.
BACKGROUND
Preferential Parking Zones
Public street parking is, unless otherwise restricted by signage or curb markings, available to the public. The RBMC, however, does make provision for preferential parking zones by resolution of the City Council under certain conditions. These conditions are intended to “enhance or protect that quality of life…threatened by noise, traffic hazards or environmental pollution resulting from commuter vehicle traffic,” as per RBMC § 3-7.1701(a). When the required findings are made, a preferential parking zone may be established through a permit parking system. The decision must be considered in a public hearing that allows properly permitted vehicles of the fronting residences to be exempt from restrictions otherwise posted. The City has established a number of preferential parking zones within the City.
Redondo Beach Municipal Code Section 3, Article 17 defines the process for establishing preferential parking zones. Preferential parking zones can be considered when a parking survey shows that street parking is excessively impacted by commuter vehicles. To initiate the parking survey, 66% of the residents on the block (or portion of the block) must sign for and submit a petition in support of preferential permit parking.
A resident at 515 N. Gertruda Avenue submitted a petition of support for a preferential parking zone on the southerly half of the 500 block of N. Gertruda Avenue. It was signed by 75% of the residences on the designated portion of the block (southeasterly of and not impacting 531 N. Gertruda Ave. - the Public Works Operations and Administration Facility), satisfying the requirement. The residents’ requested a parking restriction for non-permit holders to prohibit parking from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days per week. The PWSC recommended PPZ parking restrictions be modified to be effective Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Neighborhood Setting
The 500 block of N. Gertruda Avenue is classified as a local street and is located within the Coastal Zone defined by the RBMC. Development along the block is mixed between residential, commercial, and institutional use. The City Public Works Yard, and several City owned parcels occupied by storage facilities, are located on both sides of the street, north of the proposed preferred parking zone.
N. Gertruda Avenue runs northwesterly to southeasterly and has a 25-mph local street prima facie speed limit. It is approximately 44 feet wide with one travel lane in each direction. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street, although it is prohibited for two hours on Thursday mornings along the east (inland) side and two hours on Friday mornings along the west (coastal) side for street sweeping. In addition, some of the commercial parking area, covering approximately the southerly
N.1., File # 23-7265 Meeting Date: 12/19/2023
sweeping. In addition, some of the commercial parking area, covering approximately the southerly 200 feet on each side of the 500 block of N Gertruda Avenue, is limited to four hours between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM every day of the week.
Parcels with addresses on this block (and south of the City owned parcels) along the westerly side of N. Gertruda are predominantly residential. On the east side, there are both residential and commercial parcels. There is a total of nine residential parcels in the proposed preferential parking zone, containing 28 residences.
In addition to these multi-family residential parcels, there are two commercial parcels on the east side of the street, with addresses on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), that abut and are comingled with residential properties along this portion of N. Gertruda Avenue. One of these, occupied by three automotive repair businesses, has driveway access to both N. Gertruda Avenue and PCH. The other parcel, sharing a small takeout restaurant and an acupuncture office has a parking lot accessed via a driveway apron on PCH. Another parcel on the southernmost portion of the west side of the street is a commercial property (financial services) with driveway access to a small garage structure from N.
Gertruda Avenue.
Residents along the 500 block of N Gertruda Avenue approached the City with concerns surrounding the lack of available public street parking along the block due to usage by businesses and their customers. The residents proceeded with obtaining signatures from neighbors, which reached the two-thirds threshold per the City’s PPZ policy. It was unknown at the time whether or not residents had contacted businesses about their concerns. Subsequent to receiving the PPZ petition signatures, City staff proceeded with a parking and technical study.
The PWSC report provides a detailed discussion of the parking survey performed after the petition threshold was met. The survey found that during the midday time period, more than 75% of the legal public on-street parking spaces within the subject segment of N Gertruda were occupied, and more than 25% of those occupied spaces housed vehicles not registered to a residential address on the street. The findings were presented to the PWSC at a public hearing held on August 28, 2023. The PWSC report details existing conditions, conditional use permit (CUP) considerations, and legitimate parking needs for the businesses along N Gertruda Avenue. Due to the constrained parking conditions only lasting a few hours during weekdays and the potential impacts on businesses, staff did not fully recommend approval of the PPZ for the locations and hours requested.
At the August 28 meeting, the PWSC recommended staff advance consideration of a PPZ covering the hours between 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Monday through Friday to the City Council for consideration of approval. Notice for the PWSC was provided to all addresses with driveways and frontage along the block. The PWSC also recommended that staff inquire about the potential to get a PPZ approved by the Coastal Commission, and to partake in outreach with the local businesses to inform them of their residential neighbors’ concerns. Staff has also considered what other municipal ordinances might be enforced to limit the use of on-street parking for business purposes. Unless street parked vehicles, such as vehicles towed to the site, are inoperative or actual repair work is being performed on the street, use of the street for business related parking is legal under the City’s Code.
Subsequent to the PWSC meeting, staff sent out letters to businesses asking them to work with local residents on sharing the space within the public right-of-way. Additionally, personnel in the Public Works Engineering Division and Community Development Planning Division initiated conversations
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Works Engineering Division and Community Development Planning Division initiated conversations with Coastal Commission staff regarding the feasibility of PPZ approval in the Coastal Zone. Coastal Commission staff indicated their general opposition to PPZs and were not optimistic the City’s request would be approved by the Coastal Commission if submitted.
If the City Council chooses to adopt the attached resolution to approve the PPZ, staff will develop an application for a Coastal Development Permit and submit it to the Coastal Commission for consideration of approval. It is unclear at this time how long the process will take. If the Coastal Development Permit is approved, staff will proceed with implementation of the PPZ in accordance with the adopted Resolution.
COORDINATION
The parking survey was coordinated between the Public Works Department and the Police Department. Staff in the Community Development Department, City Attorney’s Office, and the California Coastal Commission were also consulted.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. If a PPZ is approved by the City and the CA Coastal Commission, the cost of PPZ implementation will be recovered through the preferential parking permitting process, which is administered by the Police Department.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Reso - No. 2312-134 Creating a Preferential Parking Zone · Administrative Report - Public Works and Sustainability Commission, August 28, 2023