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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/07/2009 03C Parking Commission Report RE: Parking Near Chestnut Manor Apartments f L � OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 5 ( `` 0 129 North Second Street !U i �, f ,�w' CITY HALL, Yakima, Washington 98901 , ;` 4A �, k , < 1 R f Phone (509) 575 -6040 Pic o '.e �� MEMORANDUM July 2, 2009 TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Dick Zais, City Manager FROM: Dave Zabell, Assistant City Manager RE: Parking near Chestnut Manor Apartments Concerns from residents living in the Chestnut Manor Apartment building regarding a pending change in hours allowed for on- street parking in the vicinity of 4 Street and Chestnut Avenue were brought to the City Council's attention at the June 2, 2009 meeting. The change in parking hours within the Downtown core were previously recommended by the Downtown Parking Commission and subsequently adopted by the City Council. The major concerns expressed were that Chestnut Manor apartments has no off - street parking, private or public parking would be overly burdensome to residents, and the distance to other parking opportunities could also be a burden. The City Council remanded the matter to the Downtown Parking Commission for a recommendation. The Downtown Parking Commission met on June 30 to consider these concerns and develop a recommendation to the City Council. Public Works Director Chris Waarvick was in attendance at the Commission's meeting. The Parking Commission considered the concerns raised, and along with the other factors leading to their initial recommendation and specific to the Chestnut Manor Apartments ultimately determining to maintain their original recommendation to Council. In reaching their conclusion, the Commissioners visited the site and considered the following: • The current and soon to be implemented Parking Ordinance does not allow moving to a new space each time the limited interval runs out within the area covered by the ordinance. Hence, concerns that moving a car every two or three hours as opposed to doing so on an hourly basis as being burdensome was not considered valid. • The Commission expressed concern that an allowance here would potentially lead to more allowances and defeat the purpose of the parking ordinance, that being to promote turnover. Yakima roman 'ijV! 1994 • There are private and public lots available for long -term parking needs. Federally subsidized housing such as Chestnut Manor is eligible to include parking costs within the subsidy payment. • The development regulations relating to downtown residential development should require that residential projects provide for parking. During audience participation, the City Council heard that some of the residents may have difficulty walking to and from an offsite parking facility due to the distance involved. There are two on- street disabled spaces near the Chestnut - Manor Apartments; one on 4 Street to the North of the property, and one on Chestnut across the street from the property. City Legal has determined that at present, unless other provisions are made, time limits for on- street disabled spaces would be as signed for adjacent on- street spaces. Also, at this time there has been no assessment made as to whether the number of existing disabled spaces is adequate to meet the needs of the residents, businesses, and patrons utilizing on- street parking in this area. There appears to be some flexibility with respect to the disabled parking spaces that may address some concerns specific to on- street parking users possessing a valid disabled parking placard. Staff will be prepared to discuss options.