ITEM: 12.1 ADMINISTRATION - Jean M. Keely, City Engineer
Title
APPROVE REVISED PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON BALTIMORE STREET SOUTH OF 93RD LANE
Background
On-street parking has been prohibited by Resolution No. 84-128 since May 3, 1984, in all industrial park areas throughout the city. Recently Council inquired about allowing parking on Baltimore Street south of 93rd Lane adjacent to the strip mall where the Old Piper Inn is located.
The reconstruction of Baltimore Street in the fall of 2013 was designed and constructed based on the current prohibition of on-street parking in this location. Baltimore Street from 93rd Lane to 92nd Lane was reconstructed to a 24-foot wide road with 2-foot wide shoulders. This was discussed with Council prior to construction and staff was not directed to change the design to provide for on-street parking. As a result, the constructed road does not have provisions for on-street parking to occur without blocking significant portions of the drive lanes.
Prior to the reconstruction, vehicles were parking off of the pavement on expanded gravel shoulders that were generally 8 to 12 feet wide. The expanded gravel shoulder areas where vehicles were parking illegally were removed and the ditch side slopes were regraded to re-establish proper drainage.
The Police Department bagged the no parking signs on the west side of Baltimore Street in this area for two weekends and reported that it did not cause any problems with traffic.
If Council changes the no parking resolution to allow on-street parking in this location, staff recommends that 8 foot wide paved shoulders be installed at the locations where parking would be allowed as shown on the enclosed location map. This would require regrading the ditches and creating flat areas where the paved shoulders could be installed. The estimated cost for the shoulders to be installed as shown in the attached map would be approximately $13,000 to $15,000 and a funding source would have to be identified.
Council should also be aware that if parking is allowed in this particular location, other businesses in this area may request the same treatment.
On January 2, 2014, Council considered this background information at their Council Workshop meeting and directed staff to bring back a resolution to approve revised parking restrictions on Baltimore Street south of 93rd Lane from 24 hour parking restrictions to parking restrictions from 2 AM to 6 PM weekdays in the location shown on the attached parking restriction map. Council also directed staff to place this item on a future Workshop agenda for discussion on the funding source for construction in 2014 of shoulder parking stalls as shown on the attached drawing. Council asked the Public Safety Department to continue to bag the existing no parking signs on weekends until this resolution is approved and the new parking restriction signs can be installed.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the City Council is cognizant of providing regulation of vehicular traffic in a safe and responsible manner; and
WHEREAS, City Ordinance requires a Council Resolution specifying the placement of regulatory signs; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 84-128 adopted on May 3, 1984 established parking restrictions on both sides of all streets within Industrial Areas, both existing and future/proposed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Blaine as follows:
1. Parking restrictions are hereby amended from 24 hour parking restrictions to parking restrictions from 2 AM to 6 PM on weekdays on both sides of Baltimore Street in the area immediately south of 93rd Lane as shown on the attached parking restriction map.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 16th day January, 2014.