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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARKING-OVERNIGHT PERMITS11111111111111111111111111111 PARKING - OVERNIGHT PERMITS ' April 26, 1.971 TO: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FROM: Traffic Engineer SUBJECT: OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMITS In considering the use of overnight parking permits, the first determination should be the legality of requiring permits for parking on dedicated streets during certain hours. I believe that selective reserving, assigning, or renting, of curb spaces on such streets would prove to be illegal. This consideration has guided local usage of the blue meter posts at which per- mittees may park without depositing coins. We have been very careful to establish such usage only on land held in fee by the city, and to consider parking regulations on public streets to be applicable to all, without exception. The essence of the question here is the meaning and legal definition of "dedication." The cost of sign posting, which would probably be necessary, could at approximately $300.00 to $400.00 per mile be considered not significant. I have heard that overnight parking permits have been used by some cities in spite of the legal niceties and apparently without community objection. However, I would guess, in'our sophisticated community, such a casual maneuver would not succeed. Notwithstanding the above comments, I also suggest possible benefits would derive from being able to establish selective permit procedures for street parking. For example, in a crowded terminal area such as the Balboa Peninsula area, an argument might be made in favor of the residents'. privilege or'right to park near their homes. In such a case their ability to make use of the available spaces could be enhanced by limiting the issuance of permits and coding them for use in specific assigned areas only. Outsiders could be issued permits to the degree that excess spaces might exist. However, in certain localized areas of the city the parking space demand might soon match the total supply including both off and on -street spaces due to existing trends toward increased residential density and increased auto ownership. Permit fees should be anticipated to at least cover costs of administration and enforcement, if not for revenue. One idea, already expressed, is that, within limits, the use of private storage areas such as garages and carports might also be correlated with the fee structure for on -street parking permits; increased fees encouraging increased off- street usage. However, the significance of failure to use existing garage space should be determined before assigning this practice great weight. It is not un- reasonable to suggest,the increases in densities and auto ownership far outweigh the effects of converted garages, both full. time and seasonally. The permit fee structure could also serve to meet this need by varying with the seasonal and even hourly shifts in demand, with midday in summer having the highest fees and most restrictive regulations. Prior to attempting any regulation by a permit syttem, the simple prohibition of overnight parking would indicate the nature and degree of need for street parking. Such a regulation, applicable to all, would surely be met with resentment and organized resistance at this time. The permit idea also ties in with another proposition that the overall community could best be served by providing daily visitors a large parking facility removed from the central congested areas and connected with principal destinations be some sort of transport mechanism, probably minibuses in the initial period. When the recreation oriented day visitors determined that curb parking spaces were unavailable in the congested area (due to the permit procedure) they could be expected to use the off -site parking areas. The two -fold result would be reduced pressure on the central area for both parking and traffic movement. L, Page 2 April 26, 1971 Subject: Overnight Parking Permits Although the idea of regulating and limiting the use of dedicated streets by means of selective issuance of permits for vehicular parking appears to be contrary to the principle of public dedication, the potential benefits suggest further inquiry. To permit the street system to be overwhelmed by the sheer weight of short-term visitors will benefit neither the local residents nor the visitors themselves. The Municipal Code now provides for exclusion of vehicular traffic from Balboa Island when evident congestion warrants the control. Perhaps a permit system would be more universally successful - if legally and socially acceptable. The intimation of mutual benefit derived from a properly defined and operated permit system seems to be reason enough to enter the realm of legis- lative change. Continuation of current practices in keeping with existing legal restraints will not be sufficient to guarantee mobility in our city -- particularly within walking distance of the beaches. The evidence is already visible during warm weather. Current ability to close off streets to parking and traffic (as on Balboa Island) derives mainly from considerations of health, -safety and general welfare, and in practice seems to answer the problem unselectively and after the fact. To meet the future demands now evidenced in fair degree during warm weather, cities such as ours need new legal tools governing the use of dedicated streets. In conclusion, my personal observation would be that the problem is not yet so severe that such measures will gain acceptance now. However, it is not too early to consider the needs and to discuss alternatives. Robert L. Jaffe Traffic Engineer RLJ/ldg cc: City Attorney