DATE: JUNE 20, 2023
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
THROUGH: ADRIANA ROBLES, CITY ENGINEER
BY: ANDREW EASTERLING, TRAFFIC ENGINEER
TITLE: SALINAS BLUE CURB MARKING POLICY UPDATE
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution implementing the Salinas Blue Curb Marking Policy and to adopt an Ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 20 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) of the Salinas Municipal Code.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On March 21, 2023, the Salinas City Council approved a Resolution for a residential blue accessible zone (blue curb) request and requested staff to review the blue curb marking policy to establish criteria that would allow for approval of requests in residential areas to better accommodate disabled residents. City staff surveyed other City policies and compiled relevant data for the Council’s consideration. Staff recommends the approval the Proposed Salinas Blue Curb Marking Policy and the adoption of an ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 20 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) (Amendment).
BACKGROUND:
At its March 21, 2023, meeting, the City Council reviewed a request for a one accessible blue curb marking at 1224 Hawaii Place. The request did not meet the City’s existing policy, and therefor was recommended to be denied. The City Council deliberated the item and resolved to approve the request for one blue accessible zone designation at 1224 Hawaii Place and request staff to review the blue curb marking policy to establish criteria that would allow for approval of similar requests to better accommodate disabled residents (Attachment 1).
Survey of Blue Curb Regulations
City staff researched the blue curb marking policies in other cities to help inform the policy update. In total the City was able to compile blue curb marking policies from sixteen (16) other cities for comparison. A comparison table (Attachment 2) was created to juxtapose the policy requirements of each agency.
In summary, most cities required an application, proof of disabled placard, and included criteria for a garage, a driveway and on-street parking. Also, most did not have require a path of travel nor did they require a fee for the service.
The City’s existing policy for the consideration of blue curb markings (Attachment 3), was adopted August 15, 2006. Blue curb markings prohibit stopping, standing, or parking except for disabled persons as permitted by the California Vehicle Code. The City’s existing policy established the following criteria:
Off-street parking facilities for the residential property do not exist. The property does not have a garage, driveway, or other on-site parking space that can be provided for the disabled member of the household; or On-street parking is unavailable. This criterion requires that the site be located adjacent to a school, apartment, and/or other businesses that consume on-street residential parking supply; and The path of travel from the proposed on-street parking stall to the home meets ADA/Title 2 path of travel requirements.
Proof that the disabled resident has a permanent disabled placard on file; and Signed statement acknowledging applicant understands that the on-street disabled parking requested can be used by other residents in the community that have a disabled placard.
Proposed Policy & Ordinance Update
After receiving feedback from the Council at its March 21, 2023, meeting and conducting a survey of other city policies, staff recommends a Salinas Blue Curb Marking Policy and an ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 20 (Stopping, Standing and Parking). The revised policy (Attachment 4) will require the following criteria:
A Complete Signed Application and Waiver Liability Form: An applicant must submit a complete Special Parking Restrictions Requests Form with a signed liability waiver. Incomplete, applications will be returned to the applicant with notes for correction. If an applicant fails to complete the application the request will be denied.
Proof of a permanent disabled placard: Applicant must possess a valid State issued permanent disable plate or placard. Proof can be provided by submitting a copy of supporting documentation issued by the DMV. Temporary disability placards are not eligible for the installation of a blue curb markings.
Proof of Residence: This criterion requires that the applicant demonstrate they are a resident of the requested address. The address must be a single-family residence. Proof can be provided by submitting a copy a utility bill, state issued ID, or rental agreement.
Description of the situation that validates the need. This criterion requires that the applicant describe the situation. The applicant will demonstrate that all other options for off-street parking have been exhausted.
To improve operational efficiencies and reduce program costs, the policy proposes delegating the authority to approve or deny the request for blue curb markings to the City Engineer. Notifications of the approval will be provided to neighboring properties. Residents will have twenty-eight (28) calendar days to appeal the decision to the Traffic and Transportation Commission following mailing of the notification. Submitted appeals shall: 1) be in writing and addressed to the City of Salinas Traffic and Transportation Commission; 2) provide grounds for the appeal specifying how the decision is not in alignment with this policy; and 3) include a recommended alternative action. The Traffic and Transportation Commission will have the authority to approve or deny the appeal and overturn staff’s decision.
With this new policy, the City Engineer at their discretion, may remove any disabled (blue) parking marking if they determine it is no longer needed. The Traffic and Transportation Commission recommended that an appeals process be included to allow for a resident to protest any decision to remove curb markings. The proposed policy was amended to include an appeal process for curb marking removals.
The proposed Amendment would change the procedures for installing parking signs and curb markings to prohibit the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle in public right of ways. The Amendment would allow the City Engineer to approve or deny requests for special curb markings, which includes green, blue, white, yellow and red curb marking requests, with an appeals process that would be reviewed the Traffic and Transportation Commission if there a protest. The Amendment allows for the City to be more efficient and responsive to requests and continues to leave the ultimate decision-making authority with the City Council should there be a protest.
In evaluating options to update the Special Curb Marking Policy, staff analyzed other city policies and identified opportunities for efficient procedures. The goal was to update the blue curb marking policy to better accommodate disabled residents. The proposed policy achieves this along with reducing operational inefficiencies and program costs.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:
At its June 8, 2023, meeting the Traffic and Transportation Commission voted (3-2) recommending City Council approve a Resolution to approve a modified Special Curb Marking Policy and to adopt an Ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 20 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) of the Salinas Municipal Code. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the proposed policy with modifications waiving the fee for blue curb marking applications and with modifications to allow for an appeal process to curb marking removals. Commissioners Cox, Howell and Canseco voted in support of the motion, and Commissioners Quigly and Gonzalez Reyes voted against the motion.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the Council’s initiative of “Youth and Seniors” and “Effective and Culturally Responsive Government”.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
If the City Council approves the policy as recommended by the Traffic and Transportation Commission, there would be an estimated supplemented cost of $800 for each blue curb marking request implemented. Depending on the number of requests, this cost may be absorbed by the Transportation’s division operating budget for a limited number of requests but may require additional budget allocation. Funding for other curb marking requests are paid by the applicant and do not impact general funds.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Ch 20 Article VI Ordinance Update
Attachment 1: Resolution 22616
Attachment 2: Blue Curb Marking Policy Comparison Table Attachment 3: Existing Salinas Blue Zone Policy
Attachment 4: Proposed Salinas Blue Curb Marking Policy
CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
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