DEPARTMENT: Center City Development & Operations Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
Designation of a Temporary Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program Zone for a 14 month period in the Lavaca Neighborhood; temporarily suspending the Event Decal Program for areas in the Lavaca Neighborhood; and waiving certain provisions of Chapter 19 of the City Code.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the designation of a Temporary Residential Permit Parking Zone for a 14 month period along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Barrera Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Camargo Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Callaghan Avenue; 500 and 600 blocks of Labor Street; 500 block of Refugio Street; and, the 400 block of Santa Clara Place. Additionally, this ordinance temporarily suspends the Event Decal Program in the Lavaca neighborhood in order to help determine the effectiveness of the Temporary Residential Permit Parking zone for the Lavaca Neighborhood.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Residential Permit Parking programs (RPPs) exist in several major cities throughout the United States and Texas to help protect residential areas from an influx of commuter parking. RPPs establish permit only parking zones which prohibit non-residents from using on-street parking in neighborhoods near commercial areas during certain hours. During hours when the RPP is not in effect on-street parking is open to the public and a permit is not required.
The City of San Antonio (City) created a pilot Residential Permit Parking Program in April 2014. The program was permanently adopted in April 2015. Since then, three RPP zones have been created in the City.
With increased redevelopment in the urban core, parking pressure has been placed on adjacent neighborhoods. The Lavaca Neighborhood is currently subject to the Event Decal Program, which restricts parking near the Alamodome and Lavaca to residents during special events at the Alamodome, Convention Center, Hemisfair, and La Villita. SAPD and Center City Development and Operations enforcement staff work together during events to enforce parking restrictions.
After learning of additional parking-related issues from various residents of the Lavaca and King William neighborhoods, the City retained a consultant to evaluate existing parking conditions. The study evaluated existing parking restrictions and policies, as well as national best practices to identify a program to replace the Event Decal Program in the Lavaca Neighborhood.
This ordinance authorizes a Temporary Residential Permit Parking Zone for a 14 month period along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Barrera Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Camargo Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Callaghan Avenue; 500 and 600 blocks of Labor Street; 500 block of Refugio Street; and, the 400 block of Santa Clara Place. The temporary time frame will allow City staff and residents to coordinate over the year and make adjustments to the area or hours as needed. As currently proposed, this RPP will allow permit parking on one side of the street and public parking (non-permit) on the opposite side. At least 60% of the residents on the proposed street support the RPP zone as established through a petition submitted to the City. Additionally, a parking study was conducted by Kimley-Horn. Although the parking study is missing minor elements normally required under Chapter 19 of the City Code, the existence of a commuter parking problem was found and City staff recommends moving forward with a temporary program and waiving that requirement of the code in order to provide citizens immediate relief from the commuter parking problem. Based on the initial parking study results, it is recommended the zone operate from 7 am to 2 am, Monday through Sunday.
Public meetings for the establishment of a Temporary Residential Permit Parking Zone were held on April 6, 2017. April 13, 2017 & February 22, 2018. Residents of the Lavaca Neighborhood who were in the proposed Temporary RPP zone boundary were in attendance; 132 residents signed a petition supporting the program. This provided an opportunity for individuals to comment on the proposed boundaries and served as notice of the potential implementation of a Temporary RPP.
As the 14 month period progresses, City staff will review the zone and its effectiveness with residents. Should the RPP continue, renewal permits will be required on an annual basis as long as the zone remains in effect. Residents can purchase up to four parking permits per address annually for parking during the effective hours. Permits are $10 each.
For the first 6 months of the temporary program, the City proposes keeping the barricades that are part of the Event Decal Program in use while conducting traffic studies. After the first 6 months, the Event Decal Program will be suspended and barricades will not be used. Additional traffic studies will be implemented to determine the success of the program. If the traffic studies indicate the RPP program is not working, or if the City and the residents determine that the program is not successful, the City can decide to reinstate the Event Decal Program and again use barricades.
A resident or residents may petition for de-designation of a resident-only permit parking zone at any time by submitting a petition to the Parking Official showing at least 60% of the properties, through owner signature, in the resident-only permit parking zone support de-designation. City Council may choose to de-designate any portion at any time.
ISSUE:
This action creates a Temporary Residential Permit Parking Zone for a 14 month period along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Barrera Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Camargo Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Callaghan Avenue; 500 and 600 blocks of Labor Street; 500 block of Refugio Street; and, the 400 block of Santa Clara Place.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has the option to approve the RPP program with modifications, or to alter the proposed area for the RPP zone. City Council could also postpone or deny the approval. Postponement or failure to approve the RPP zone would allow the on-street parking in the area to remain open to the public.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City will charge $10 per parking permit with a maximum of four permits per address within the RPP zone boundaries. These funds will be deposited into the FY 2018 Parking Fund. The revenue earned from the RPP is not anticipated to completely cover the program’s enforcement. It is anticipated that a minimum of 132 residents will participate in the program and purchase at least one parking permit at $10, for total minimum revenue of $1,320 deposited into the FY 2018 Parking Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends designation of a targeted RPP zone for a 14 month period along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Barrera Street; the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Camargo Street; 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Callaghan Avenue; 500 and 600 blocks of Labor Street; 500 block of Refugio Street and the 400 block of Santa Clara Place.