REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 12, 2017
FROM: Councilmember Caprioglio
Councilmember Brandau
Jennifer K. Clark, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: Kelli Furtado, Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: Del Estabrooke, Parking Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
***BILL NO. B-62 - (Intro. 12/15/ 2016) (For adoption) - Amending Section 14-1006 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the Prohibited Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of Section 14-1006 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the Prohibited Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City of Fresno (City) residents have ongoing issues regarding the parking and storage of oversized vehicles in residential streets through the city. This ordinance will allow recreational vehicles over eighteen feet in length to park on any street for no more than twenty-four hours during a seven day period. Violation of this section will authorize Parking Services or the Police Department to remove the vehicle from the street in the manner and subject to the requirements of the Vehicle Code. This amendment will also prohibit inoperative, wrecked, dismantled or abandoned vehicles from parking on public property or a public right of way.
BACKGROUND
Citizens regularly call Council District offices and the Parking Services Department regarding oversized vehicles parked in their neighborhoods. These vehicles include: trucks, recreational vehicles, trailers, campers, farm machinery, boats, and construction equipment. Complaints range from recreational vehicles and unhinged watercraft parked on the street blocking views to construction equipment, work and recreational type vehicles, and trailers left on the streets for extended periods of time. The City also receives complaints from residents who are unable to safely back out of their driveways due to oversized vehicles. Many residents believe these oversized vehicles are hazardous distractions, create safety concerns, and are eyesores detracting from the aesthetic value of the community. City Divisions are also negatively impacted when repairing street lights, sweeping streets, and picking up trash due to oversized vehicles on residential streets.
This amendment will allow recreational vehicles exceeding eighteen feet in length to park on any street for a twenty-four hour period of time without restriction. However, the recreational vehicle may not remain in the same location for more than twenty-four hours within a seven day period and will be in violation of this ordinance if left parked or standing on a street or alley within one thousand feet of the same location after twenty-four hours. Under this ordinance, equipment, non-vehicular property, and non-motorized vehicles unattached to motor vehicles shall not be parked or stored on any residential street without a permit issued by the City. Bona fide guests of a resident may park a recreational vehicle or trailer on the street in front of the host’s residence for a period of seven days upon notification of the Parking Services Department.
This amendment also prohibits inoperative, wrecked, dismantled or abandoned vehicles from parking on public property or a public right of way. A vehicle is deemed inoperative under this section if the vehicle is mechanically incapable of being driven, does not have a valid and current license plate or other visible indication of valid and current vehicle registration, or is prohibited from being operated on a public street or highway pursuant to the Vehicle Code. A vehicle which is temporarily broken down for a time not to exceed four hours is not considered inoperative under this section.
The amendment authorizes Parking Services Department or the Police Department to remove vehicles in violation of this section subject to the requirements of the Vehicle Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3), has determined with certainty there is no possibility that this project may have a significant effect on the environment. This is an ordinance change altering the time of day when oversized vehicles may park on residential streets. Therefore, this project is not subject to CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this ordinance does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no measurable fiscal impact. The approval of this ordinance does not increase staffing.
Attachment: Section 14-1006 of the Fresno Municipal Code