HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 15, 1981 (40)REQUEST FOR
Council was apprised that the City had earlier
2 -HOUR LIMIT
received a petition from 14 owners of business
PARKING ZONES ON
establishments in the 300, 400, and 5013 blocks
EAST LODI
of East Lodi Avenue (Washington Street to
AVENUE
Cherokee Lane) requesting 2 -hour limited parking
zones in front of their businesses. The zones,
3 to 5 spaces each, would be placed directly
in front of the businesses with the remainder
of the street remaining as is.
Staff reported that to determine the need for
these zones, the Public Works Department
determined the number of available on -street
spaces per block face and the parking demand
for these spaces; interviewed business owners;
and reviewed foreseeable signing and enforce-
ment problems.
rur-finer " reported sixteen observations
made in the field during the study showed that
although there was an ample number of vacant
parking spaces within each block face at all. times,
at some times vacant stalls were not directly
in front of the business establishments. At
no time was there a vacant space more than 150
feet from any busi:.?zs, and at no time was
there more than 751 occupancy in any block
face.
Parking study exhibits were presented for
Council's perusal.
The petitioners have indicated the requested
zones would be established only in front of
businesses and not adjacent to existing
residences. The City of Lodi Code dues not
specify a curb color for 2 -hour parking and,
therefore, the limits of each zone would neces-
sarily be controlled by signing.
The petition further states the "problem of
enforcement of these zones would be carried
out by the City police working in conjunction
with the merchants". This method would involve
the merchant contacting the Police Department
after a vehicle has been parked longer than
urs; the Police Deptthen dispatching a
patrol car to the area to mark the tires and
returning to the area two hours later to ticket
the vehicle if it J:% still there. This
could cause some problems regarding "unequal
enforcement". Robert. Baysinger of the Traffic
Court was contacted. While he would not
be prejudiced, he agrees that mixed parking
might be a problem, but each case would be
judged on its merits. The Police Dept. has
been contacted and their comments were presented
for Council's perusal.
C
I
11
r
The Engineering Division recommends against the
special zoning for the following reasons:
1. East Lodi Avenue is zoned as commer-
cial through the entire length of
the study area. The 2 -hour limits
would need to be extended or elimi-
nated upon any changes in usage from `
residential to cir ercial or from
commercial to residential.
2. The majority of the businesses along
the Avenue do not appear to have
sufficient parking problems to warrant
the time limit restrictions. Although,
at times, parking is not available di-
rectly in front of a business, it is
available a short distance away.
3. Signing of the 3 to 5 space zones will
be difficult and costly to the City;
confusing to motorists; and create
enforcement problems.
4.•,Zn effect, the proposed method of
• enforcement (merchant and police)
1 creates a 4 -hour plus time limit and
may not serve the intended purpose.
5. East Lodi Avenue is not too different
from West Lodi Avenue, Cherokee Lane,
or West Lockeford St. The establish-
ment of 2 -hour parking on East Lodi
Avenue may encourage requests from
other areas.
Following a lengthy discussion with questions
being directed to Staff, Council, on motion
of Councilman Katnich, Hughes second, denied
the request for 2 -hour limit parking zones
on East Lodi Avenue. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen - Hughes, Katnich, and McCarty
Noes: Councilmen - Murphy and Pinkerton
Mayor McCarty concluded the discussion regard-
ing this item with the statement that the City
will continue to monitor this situation and
assist both the commercial and residential
community in this area.
CITY OF LODI
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
DATE: April 10, 1981
___ - __. __ . ._..__...__....:.-4
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
SUBJECT: Request for 2 -hour Limit Parking Zones on East Lodi Avenue
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council deny a request for 2 -hour limit
parking zones on East Lodi Avenue.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City has received the attached petition from 14
owners of business establishments in the 300, 400, and 500 blocks of East Lodi
Avenue (Washington Street to Cherokee Lane) requesting 2 -hour limited parking
zones in front of their businesses. "The zones, 3 to 5 spaces each, would
be placed directly in front of the businesses with the remainder of the street
remaining as is." EXHIBIT A shows the combination of businesses and residences
along the street and locations of owners who signed the petition.
To determine the need for these zones, this department determined the number
of available on -street spaces per block face and the parking demand for these
spaces; interviewed business owners; and reviewed foreseeable signing and
enforcement problems.
Available Parking b Demand: Sixteen observations made in the field during the
study showed that although there was an ample number of vacant parking spaces
within each block face at all times, at some times vacant stalls were not
directly in front of the business establishments. At no time was there a
vacant space more than 150 feet from any business, and at no time was there
more than 75% occupancy in any block face. EXHIBIT B shows the results of
the parking study conducted Tuesday, March 31, through Friday, April 3, 1981.
Interviews: There are 36 businesses located on East Lodi Avenue between
Stockton Street and Cherokee Lane. Of this number, we felt eight did not
have problems and were not contacted... (Safeway, A 6 W, 3 service stations,
and others that provided ample off-street parking).
Of the remaining 28, we contacted 22, i3 who signed the petition and 9 who
did not. Thirteen of the 22 contacted indicated they really did not have any
parking problems. (Even though some had signed the petition). The remaining
nine complained mostly of experiencing vehicles being parked in spaces directly
In front of their businesses for long periods of time. These stores, for the
most part, were in the vicinity of either Ings Lunch Service or City Cab Co.
where employees have no cff-street parking available.
APPROVED:
. GLAVES. City Manacer
FILE 40.
City Council Communication
April 10, 1981
Page 2
Si in : The petitioners have indicated the requested zones would be established
only In -front of businesses and not adjacent to existing residences. The City
of Lodi Code does not specify a curb color for 2 -hour parking and, therefore,
the limits of each zone would necessarily be controlled by signing. EXHIBIT A
shows the exi�stinl businesses along the street and EXHIBIT C an enlargement of
a specific area, Indicating some of the problems with signing.
Enforcement: The petition states the "problem of enforcement of these zones
would be carried out by the City police working in conjunction with the
merchants." This method would involve the merchant contacting the Police
Department after a vehicle has been parked longer than 2 hours; the Police
Dept. then dispatching a patrol car to the area to mark the tires and returning
to the area two hours later to ticket the vehicle if it is still there. This
could cause some problems regarding "unequal enforcement." Robert Baysinger
of the Traffic Court was contacted. While he would not be prejudiced, he agrees
that mixed parking might be a problem, but each case would be judged on its merits.
The Police Dept. has been contacted and their comments are attached as EXHIBIT D.
CONCLUSIONS: The Engineering Division recorfeends against the special zoning
for th-e TTowing reasons:
I. East Lodi Avenue is zoned as comnnercial through the entire length of
the study area. The 2 -hour limits would need to be extended or
eliminated upon any changes in usage from residential to commercial
or from commercial to residential.
2. The majority of the businesses along the Avenue do not appear to have
sufficient parking problems to warrant the time limit restrictions.
Although, at times, parking is not available directly in front of a
business, it is available a short distance away.
3. Signing cf the 3 to 5 space zones will be difficult and costly to the
City; confusing to motorists; and create enforcement problems.
4. In effect, the proposed method of enforcement (merchant + police)
creates a 4 -hour plus time lirmit and may not serve the Intended purpose.
5. East Lodi Avenue is not too different from West Lodi Avenue, Cherokee
Lane, or West Lockeford St. The establishment of 2 -hour parking
on East Lodi Avenue may encourage requests from other areas.
A copy of thi communication has been sent to Roy J. Roberts, circulator of the
petition.
Jac L. Ronsko
i Publ c Works Director
1 JLR/ eh
\ Attachments
PETITI0M
I the: Traffic Lnciineer
City Manager
And members of the Lodi City Council
The undersigned merchants, currently enguaged in business alone East Lodi Avenue
do hereby petition for relief of the parking problems encountered daily in the
operation of their establishments.
To solve the problem, we strongly recommend that the city move to establish 2 hour
limited parking zones along this avenue. These zones (:i to 5 spaces each) would
be placed directly in front cf the businesses with the remainder of the avenue
remaining as is. Since the avenue is intermixed (business and residential) we wish
to state, that we have no desire to inconvience any of the residents who maintain
homes alonq the avenue. However, parking for our customers is absolutely essential,
if we are to remain in business during these hard times.
The problem of enforcement of these zones would be carried out by the city police
working in conjunction with the merchants. It would not be necessary, in our op-
inion to have meter maids patrol these zones on a regular basis. The merchant
could inform the police of violations which affe,:t his trade. It is not our wish
to punish the occasional offender but it is to protect our business interests from
the individuals who Dark all day longi, every day, directly in front of operating
establishments and distrupt commerce.
In conclusion, we strongly recommend that the city officials act immediatel to
resolve this problem. We the merchants suffer directly from loss o sa es each
day that the current condition exists. And the city suffers indirectly from loss
of tax revenue which would be generated by these sales.
Respectfully,
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L0DQ POLICE DEPART!_7NT
Memorandum
To: Jack L. RDnsko, Public Works Director
Date: April 10, 1981
Subject: Your Memorandum - Restricted Parking on East Lodi Avenue
We find the placing of limited parking spaces in front of business estabiish-
ments on East Lodi Avenue would be inconsistent with acceptable traffic
administration procedure. Such a selective method will be difficult to en-
force, giving preferential treatment to some commercial enterprises and
Individuals.
Failure to consistently enforce the parking areas will generate concern on
behalf of the merchants. They could not be celigated to inform the Police
Department of every violation.
It appears from the formal petition that each merchant is only concerned with
parking directly in front of his/her business. if traffic engineering evalua-
tion determines a need for restrictive or limited parking in the area, it
should be for the'entire effected area, not Yor the selected business estabiIsh-
ments.
At this time the south side of East Lodi Avenue, between Washington Street and
Cherokee Lane, should receive the primary consideration as it is predominantly
commercial. The north side of the street is still primarily residential and
changes should not occur in that area until such time as commercial versus
residential relationship changes.
Should It be determined that '-Ited or restrictive parking areas are estab-
lished on East Lodi Avenue, be assured this department will make every effort
to assist in the enforcement as designated by the City Council.
MARC YATES
Chief of Police
By:
Carp n Albert C. Cross
Pa I Division Commander
ACC : j km
EXN15e7' i)
CITY COUNOL
WALTER RT M
KcCA""'rOe CITY O F LO D I
IAMEs A. MccwRTY, ayor Pro Tene
RICiiARD L HUGHES CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET
ROBERT C. MURINY
JAMES W. PINKERTON, Jr. LODI, CALIFORNIA 95240
(209) 334-S634
April 17, 1981
HENRY A. GLAVES, Jr
aqr MW"W
ALICE M. REIMCHE
cky a"k
RONALD M. STEIN
COV ARM"
Mr. Roy J. Roberts
3016 E. Lodi Avenue
Lodi, CA 95240
Dear Mr. Roberts:
Please be advised that the Lodi City Council, in
action tsken at a regular meeting held April 15, 1981,
denied your request for a two hour limit parking zone
on East Lodi Avenue with the direction that the City
will continue to monitor the situation and will
assist both the corAmercial and residential community
in this area.
Should you have any questions regarding this action,
please feel free to call this office at any time.
Very truly yours,
AliceM. R cre
City Clerk
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