5 - Proposal to create a University Heights Neighborhood Permit Parking (NPP) Zone
C I T Y O F B O U L D E R
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: August 30, 2004
AGENDA TITLE: Briefing on the proposal to create a University Heights
Neighborhood Permit Parking (NPP) Zone.
PRESENTER/S:
Tracy Winfree, Director of Public Works/Transportation
Michael J. Gardner-Sweeney, Public Works/Transportation Planning & Operations
Molly Winter, Director of the Downtown and University Hill Management Division
Kate Patterson, Downtown and University Hill Management Division/ Parking Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this item is to brief the Board on the proposal to create a University
Heights Neighborhood Permit Parking (NPP) zone. A public hearing on this issue is
scheduled for October 11, 2004 at which time the Board will be asked to make a
recommendation to Council.
Residents of the University Heights neighborhood contacted staff seeking a remedy to the
neighborhoods parking difficulties. The residents expressed three areas of concern:
1.)The residents see the neighborhood parking situation as unique due to a
combination of conditions;
A.The proximity to the University and in particular to the football stadium,
athletic fields and the Events Center which attract a large number of
attendees.
B. The unpredictable nature of the parking demand, which occurs not only
during the school day, but, in the evenings and on weekends as well.
C. The lack of parking alternatives for residents. The street is surrounded
by restricted parking, high density residential zones and commercial
property.
2.)The residents perception of The Neighborhood Permit Parking (NPP) program
was that is would further constrain residents and/or provide little or not relief.
3.)Without some “resident only” element, parking restrictions would leave
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residents without substantial relief and in some cases may accentuate the
residential parking problem
The neighborhood currently has on street parking restrictions intended to address the
parking impacts, however these restrictions are no longer seen as effective by residents.
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Parking on the north side of University Heights and the east side of 26 Street is
restricted Monday – Friday with no parking permitted between 8 am and 5 pm. Parking
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on the south side of University Heights and the west side of 26 Street is restricted to two
hours from 8 am to 5 pm Monday – Friday.Even with these restrictions in place, the
average parking occupancy on University Heights is 80% (the average parking
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occupancy on 26 Street is 89%). The minimum occupancy required to be considered for
an NPP zone is 75%.
(ATTACHMENT A: NPP Ordinance and Regulation)
(ATTACHMENT B: University Heights Neighborhood Permit Parking Study)
Staff met frequently with representatives of the neighborhood to identify the parking
impact and create a proposal for a University Heights NPP zone which is within the
parameters of the NPP ordinance and would be supported by the majority of residents of
the proposed zone.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
A parking study and informational mailing have been completed at a cost of
$2,118. Average sign costs per block face in an NPP zone is $650. The
proposal includes 4 block faces. Staff time and permit costs would be included in
the normal work plan and existing program budget. Total estimated
implementation cost $4,718.
OTHER IMPACTS/Issues:
1.) Why are we considering creating a new NPP zone at a time when the
program is on hold due to budgetary issues?
The NPP program is on hold in 2004, meaning that no new zones or expansions of
existing zones have been considered due to budget constraints.
In making the determination to move forward the following was taken into consideration:
This is a relatively small area.
The residents would do the majority of the public process.
The proposed zone is already signed (poles are already in place).
The area is already enforced on a regular basis.
The severity of the parking situation and lack of adjacent parking supply.
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2.) What is the difference between the current two hour parking restrictions and a two
hour NPP zone?
In addition to limiting public parking to a maximum of two hours, the NPP further
restricts public parking to one time only per day. This means once a vehicle has parked
in the zone (and has been logged by a Parking Control Officer), that same vehicles cannot
be parked in the zone beyond the two hours. Under the current restrictions a vehicle may
park for up to two hours, move and repark on the block for another two hours. It is
estimated that approximately 9 vehicles (11% of the vehicles parking on University
Heights) are leaving and returning. Under the NPP restrictions, only those vehicles with
a permit will be able to parking in the zone beyond the two hour limit.
Based on the unique nature of the parking impacts on this neighborhood, residents
requested staff explore some form of “resident only” parking in this area.
Staff was unable to support this proposal for two reasons: 1.) The NPP program does not
provide any provisions for “resident only” parking and 2.)There is no evidence that the
NPP program would not be effective in relieving the parking impact on the
neighborhood.
3.) How will the NPP be enforced?
Parking enforcement hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm with
some limited Saturday and evening enforcement. The existing University Heights
parking restrictions are enforced an average of two times per week. Neighborhood
Permit Parking (NPP) zones are enforced an average of two days per week, Monday
through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
The proposed parking restrictions extend beyond the typical NPP zone to after 5 pm and
on Saturdays in an effort to address the residents concerns about the public parking
demand that occurs sporadically on evening and weekends. These extended hours are
beyond those that can be covered within the current enforcement resources and thus will
not be enforced. Residents were made aware of this limitation and have been informed
that the program will only act as a deterrent to public parking during these times.
PUBLIC FEEDBACK:
Resident representative worked closely with staff to develop this proposal for the
zone. The proposal was then taken “door to door” and residents were asked to
sign a “Notification of NPP Approval” to indicate their support. Ninety percent of
the residential homes in the proposed zone were in support of this proposal.
(ATTACHMENT C: Notification of NPP Proposal Approval)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the implementation of the University Heights Neighborhood Permit
Parking zone with the following features:
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Time limits for public parking
The proposed University Heights NPP zone restrictions on public parking would be in
effect Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a two hour, one time only per day
restriction on public parking.
Permit holders
Individuals who reside within the zone boundaries and can provide proof of residency
(current lease, recent utility bill, or vehicles registrations) and a current vehicle
registration may purchase up to two Resident permits for vehicles in their possession.
When properly displayed these permits exempt the vehicle from the posted parking
restrictions.
With the purchase of a resident permit, each household may receive two Visitor Permits
(hang tags). These permits are intended for visitor and/or service providers who will be
on the premises beyond the posted parking restriction. These permits may not be used
beyond 24 consecutive hours.
Guest permits are available to residents on a limited basis and may be used for up to two
week periods.
NPP permits only exempt vehicles from the NPP restrictions. If the existing parking
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restrictions on the north side of University Height and the East side of 26 street remain
the same, NPP permits will not be valid in these areas.
Businesses
Businesses located within a zone may purchase up to three permits for use by its
employees for $75 per permit. Large businesses located in an NPP zone may apply for
additional employee parking permits.
Zone boundaries
The proposed boundaries include the following blocks the 2400 through the 2700 blocks
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of University Heights and the 1200 block of 26 street. (Addresses on these blocks
would be eligible to purchase Resident permits). The proposed parking restrictions
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would be implemented on the south side of University Heights and the west side of 26
street only. There is no recommendation at this time to change the existing parking
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restrictions on the north side of University Height and the East side of 26 street.
(ATTACHMENT D: Zone Map)
Implementation schedule
Implementation as soon as possible.
White space requirements and commuter permit issuance
Commuter permits will be made available in the zone in accordance with the guidelines
in the NPP program regulation with a maximum of four Commuter permits per block face
on those blocks with more than 25% white space.
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Additional Signage
Signs will be posted at the entrance to the neighborhood identifying notifying the public
that they are entering a restricted parking area.
ANALYSIS:
A public hearing on this issue is scheduled for October 11, 2004 at which time the Board
will be asked to make a recommendation on the proposed zone.
The manager shall provide the city council with the manager’s proposal to the board, the
board’s recommendation and related comments, the manager’s final plan, and the reason
for any difference between the recommendation and the final plan. If the city council
does not call up the manager’s final plan within 30 days, the manager may establish the
zone. If the city council calls up the manager’s final plan, it shall hold a public hearing on
the plan and, by motion, direct the manager not to establish the zone, or to establish the
zone with any modifications which are within the manager’s authority, or to establish the
zone in accordance with the manager’s final plan. The manager shall establish the zone
approved by regulation, but if the zone is established after a city council call-up, the
manager shall not call for public comment in the notice of proposed regulation.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT A: NPP Ordinance
ATTACHMENT B: NPP Regulation
ATTACHMENT C: University Heights Neighborhood Permit Parking Study
ATTACHMENT D: Notice of NPP Proposal Approval
ATTACHMENT E: Zone Map
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ATTACHMENT A
Ordinance Nos. 4936 (1985); 5716 (1995).
Neighborhood Permit Parking Zones
2-2-15.
(a) Restricting parking on streets in certain areas zoned for residential uses primarily to
persons residing within such areas will reduce hazardous traffic conditions, promote
traffic safety, and preserve the safety of children and other pedestrians in those areas;
protect those areas from polluted air, excessive noise, trash, and refuse; protect residents
of those areas from unreasonable burdens in gaining access to their residences; preserve
the character of those areas as residential; promote efficiency in the maintenance of those
streets in a clean and safe condition; preserve the value of the property in those areas; and
protect the peace, good order, comfort, convenience, and welfare of the inhabitants of the
city. The city council also finds that, in some cases, residential streets serve an important
parking function for non-residents in the public and commercial life of the city. Some
accommodation for parking by others may be appropriate in these cases.
(b) Upon receipt of a request by twenty-five adult residents of a neighborhood proposing
a neighborhood permit parking zone, the city manager will conduct studies to determine
if a neighborhood permit parking permit zone should be established in that neighborhood,
and what its boundaries should be. The manager may, if the manager concludes it is in
the public interest to do so, initiate this process without any request. The manager may
consider, without limitation, the extent to which parking spaces are occupied during
working or other hours, the extent to which parked vehicles are registered to persons not
apparently residing within the neighborhood, the impact that businesses and facilities
located within or without the neighborhood have upon neighborhood parking within the
neighborhood, such other factors as the manager deems relevant to determine whether
parking by non-residents of the neighborhood substantially impacts the ability of
residents of the proposed parking permit zone to park their vehicles on the streets of the
proposed zone with reasonable convenience, and the extent to which a neighborhood
permit parking zone would significantly reduce this impact. The manager shall also
determine the need for reasonable public access to parking in the area, and the manner
and extent that it should be provided, along with the hours and days on which parking
restrictions should apply. No such parking restrictions shall apply on Sundays or
holidays.
(c) If the manager determines that establishing a neighborhood permit parking zone is in
the public interest, or that altering a residential parking zone in existence on January 1,
1997, or created thereafter, is in the public interest, the manager shall prepare a proposal
for the zone, specifying the boundaries, the hours and days on which parking restrictions
will apply, and the provisions, if any, for non-resident permit parking. The manager may
hold such public meetings as deemed advisable to assist the manager in formulating such
proposal. The manager shall present this proposal for the zone to the Transportation
Advisory Board. The board, after including in its normal public notice these features of
the manager’s plan, shall hold a public hearing on the manager’s proposal, and shall
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recommend to the manager that the zone be established, that it be established with certain
modifications which are within the manager’s authority under this code and any adopted
regulations, or that it not be established. The manager shall, within thirty days of the
board’s recommendation, provide the city council with the manager’s proposal to the
board, the board’s recommendation and related comments, the manager’s final plan, and
the reason for any difference between the recommendation and the final plan. If the city
council does not call up the manager’s final plan within thirty days, the manager may
establish the zone. If the city council calls up the manager’s final plan, it shall hold a
public hearing on the plan and, by motion, direct the manager not to establish the zone, or
to establish the zone with any modifications which are within the manager’s authority, or
to establish the zone in accordance with the manager’s final plan. The manager shall
establish the zone approved by regulation, but if the zone is established after a city
council call-up, the manager shall not call for public comment in the notice of proposed
regulation.
(d) Upon establishment of a zone, the manager shall, subject to the availability of funds
appropriated for the purpose, install the necessary traffic control devices within the zone
and issue neighborhood parking zone permits pursuant to Chapter 4-23, “Neighborhood
Parking Zone Permits,” B.R.C. 1981.
(e) The manager may by regulation prescribe additional standards, not inconsistent with
those set out in this section, which must be met before the manager designates a
neighborhood permit parking zone, or adds or deletes territory from an established zone.
The manager may issue regulations governing the issuance and use of neighborhood
parking permits not inconsistent with Chapter 4-23, “Neighborhood Parking Zone
Permits,” B.R.C. 1981.
(f) The city manager shall monitor the program on a regular basis and annually provide
the city council with a report on the neighborhood permit parking program generally,
including its relationship to parking supply and demand in adjacent areas of the city and
the status of zone block faces under Subsection 4-23-2(j), B.R.C. 1981. The details of the
monitoring effort shall be contained in administrative regulations promulgated by the city
manager pursuant to Chapter 1-4, “Rulemaking,” B.R.C. 1981.
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