Workshop Item: ___ - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
DISCUSSION ON EXISTING PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON BALTIMORE STREET ADJACENT TO OLE PIPER INN
Background
On-street parking has been prohibited by resolution since 1984 in all industrial park areas throughout the city. Recently Council inquired about parking on Baltimore Street south of 93rd Lane adjacent to the strip mall where the Old Piper restaurant is located.
The reconstruction of Baltimore Street, completed this fall, 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 any provisions for on-street parking to occur without blocking significant portions of the drive lanes.
Prior to the project, vehicles were parking off of the pavement on the 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 remove these shoulder areas and re-establish proper drainage.
The Police Department has 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.
See the attached report and photographs for further detail.
Recommendation
If Council were to change the no parking resolution to allow on-street parking in this location, staff would recommend that 8 foot wide paved shoulders be installed at the locations where parking would be allowed. 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 report 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.