DEPARTMENT: Center City Development & Operations Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
Residential Permit Parking Zone on North Flores
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the designation of a Residential Permit Parking Zone along portions of North Flores in Council District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) programs exist in several major cities throughout the United States and Texas to help protect residential areas from the influx of commuter parking. These programs establish parking zones to discourage non-residents from using on-street parking in neighborhoods nearby commercial areas. The RPP allows for permit parking only between the hours of 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays. During the hours the RPP is not in effect, the on-street parking reverts to public parking.
The City of San Antonio created its first pilot Residential Permit Parking program in April 2014 along portions of Arsenal and City Streets to mitigate potential parking problems in an area of planned improvements. The pilot program was successful in maintaining on-street parking for residents. A total of 94 permits were issued and 77 citations were issued to violators within the first year of implementation. After the one year review period, and based on positive feedback from residents in the area, the program and zone were permanently instated.
This ordinance proposes an RPP zone along the 1700 and 1800 blocks of N. Flores.
The program for the zone will run from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays. Residents from the proposed zone submitted an RPP application to the Center City Development and Operations Department. The application met the requirements of 1) at least 60% of the residents on the street supported the RPP zone through a petition and 2) a parking survey confirmed the existence of a commuter parking problem.
A public meeting for the establishment of an RPP for N. Flores was held on November 30, 2015. All residents and businesses within 200 feet of the proposed RPP zone boundary were invited to attend. This provided an opportunity for individuals to provide comments on the proposed boundaries and served as notice of the City considering moving forward with implementing an RPP for N. Flores.
Per the City of San Antonio City Code, City staff will review zones on an annual basis with the residents. Renewal permits will be required on an annual basis as long as the zones remain in effect. Residents have the opportunity to purchase up to four permits per address annually for parking during the effective hours. Permits are $10.00 each and one day guest passes can also be purchased for $1.00.
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.
ISSUE:
This action creates an RPP zone along the 1700 and 1800 blocks of N. Flores.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has the option to approve the RPP program with modifications, or to alter the proposed area for the first RPP zones. 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 $10.00 per parking permit with a maximum of up to four permits per address within the RPP zone boundaries. These funds will be deposited into the Parking Fund but are not anticipated to completely cover the program’s enforcement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends designation of an RPP zone along the 1700 & 1800 blocks of N. Flores.