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.