REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 14, 2018
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: DEL ESTABROOKE, Parking Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the creation of Residential Permit Parking District #10 in District 7 by Fresno Veteran’s Hospital:
1. HEARING - to consider designation of Residential Permit parking District #10
2. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act
3. ***RESOLUTION - Creating Residential Permit Parking District #10 (Subject to Mayor Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution to create Residential Parking District #10, encompassing neighborhood around the Fresno Veteran’s Hospital
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The residents of the proposed parking district, which is located in Council District #7, have requested the area be set aside for a residential parking district due to ongoing parking concerns from Fresno Veteran’s Hospital visitors and employees parking in this area and limiting the parking for residents. This area near Veteran’s Hospital has limited driveways and most residents must park on the street. A neighborhood meeting was held with a number of residents who reside in this area. The residents of this area completed a petition requesting the creation of a residential district. Staff from Parking Services conducted several reviews of the area and determined there is a daily issue with Veteran’s Hospital visitors reducing the parking for residents.
The primary Residential Parking District #10 boundaries are between Highway 41 to First Street, and between Clinton Avenue and Simpson Avenue. The additional Residential Parking District #10 would include the area south of Clinton Avenue to Weldon Avenue, and from Highway 41 to Fresno Street. Parking District #10 is shown as Exhibit “A” of the attached Resolution. All provisions of the Fresno Municipal Code have been met. Funds to purchase and install the necessary signage are available in the District #7 budget.
BACKGROUND
A Residential Permit Parking District is a designated area wherein motor vehicles displaying a valid permit are exempt from parking restrictions in the District. There are nine other Parking Districts established in the City of Fresno. These districts are typically located near facilities that attract a large number of commuter vehicles, such as hospitals, universities and sports arenas.
Generally, when a residential district is formed they are formed in single family neighborhoods and one to two permits are issued per household. In this particular area one can expect approximately 300 parking permits be distributed. Daily, there are between 700 to 900 vehicles parked on the residential streets taking up all available residential parking.
Residential Parking District #10 would not allow parking on the street between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, seven days a week. These parking rules would apply to all vehicles except those motor vehicles displaying a valid permit. In Parking District #10, one permit per residence would be issued free of charge, with the possibility of purchasing up to three additional permits at a cost of $19 each, pursuant to the Master Fee Schedule.
Pursuant to Article 20, the following has occurred:
• On January 19, 2018, Council District #7 staff held a neighborhood meeting with residents within the boundaries of the proposed areas to discuss the issue. Development and Resource Management (DARM) staff attended this meeting.
• Residents gathered signatures for a petition supporting the proposed district and submitted the petition to DARM. The petition was verified as official and contained signatures by at least 50% of the living units in the area proposed for designation.
• Upon verifying the petition, DARM staff conducted a field survey and determined the proposed district is in fact impacted by commuter vehicles being drawn into the area by Fresno Veteran’s Hospital. The required criteria established in Article 20 of the Code has been met which includes the following:
o Commuter vehicles from visitors and employees parking in the residential area during various hours of the day.
o Residents’ vehicles are impacted by the number of spaces taken by commuter vehicles using available space.
o Residents have indicated their willingness to pay for additional parking permits above those issued for free. The Councilmember for District #7 has provided funding for the creation and installation of signs.
o The on-street parking spaces are impacted, in large part due to commuter vehicles, during the hours proposed for this residential parking district.
• DARM staff filed this Staff Report with the City Clerk and set this matter for public hearing before the Council. Notices of the public hearing were published in the Fresno Bee on May 30 and June 1, 2018, and were posted throughout the proposed area on May 30, 2018.
The above-listed criteria must be established prior to designating a Residential Permit Parking District.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that the proposed Residential Parking District #10 is exempt under CEQA Guideline 15301 Class 1, which provides exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or other minor alteration of existing public structures and facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The proposed Residential Parking District #10 is within the Class 1 exemption because it involves negligible or no expansion of use. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Offenses under this resolution will be cited at $43 for each citation.
ATTACHMENT:
Resolution Residential Permit Parking District 10