HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/24/2021 Item 6a, Horn/Fuchs - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: August 20, 2021
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Gaven Hussey, Parking Program Manager
Alexander Fuchs, Parking Services Supervisor
VIA: Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Item 6a - INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL
CODE TO REVISE THE CITY’S PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM
Background and Purpose of Correspondence
Council has received comments and questions regarding Item 6a, the introduction of an
ordinance to revise the City’s parking permit district program to be considered by Council
on August 24th. These questions were prompted by a letter staff sent to all property
owners and residents of the existing parking districts notifying them of the proposed
changes as part of the community outreach for the Council item (See Attachment A).
As a reminder for Council, the intended focus and outcome of these revisions as
recommended, focus primarily on changing the City’s Municipal Code to allow for creation
of parking districts in non-residential areas. Currently, the City’s Municipal Code only
allows for the creation of parking districts in residential areas. The proposed changes will
allow for the creation of parking districts in residential and commercial areas.
Focus of Revisions is on Commercial Areas
Commercial areas are experiencing similar parking impacts as compared to exclusively
or predominately residential areas. Commercial areas’ parking needs differ than
residential areas in that they experience a much higher parking turnover rate. As new
parking districts are formed, especially those in commercial areas, staff is proposing that
parking permits be issued based upon on-street parking space supply. Currently the
Municipal Code requires that two parking permits be issued per each unit or address
without regard to on-street parking supply.
The proposed revisions to the Municipal Code will not change the number of parking
permits issued to existing parking district residents or allow for the inclusion of residential
multi-family properties with 5 or more units. Both elements are detailed within the
Municipal Code language.
Item 6a – Introduce an Ordinance Revising the City’s Parking Permit Program Page 2
The proposed revisions to the Municipal Code will allow for the creation of commercial
parking districts and provide tools to manage those districts. To provide more streamlined
customer service, the proposed revisions will allow for the issuance of parking permits to
residents or occupants of a parking district instead of owners.
One necessary tool to be able to manage commercial parking districts is issuance of
parking permits based upon available on-street parking spaces. This would be
implemented upon creation of new parking districts. In the unlikely event that any existing
parking districts want to change the amount of issued parking permits, 60% or more of
the parking district residents would need to make this request and then be confirmed
appropriate by a parking study analysis performed by the City.
Specific Comments and Responses
Council has received several community correspondences on this matter, so Staff is
providing additional clarification.
Comment 1: The community has expressed concern about allowing more than two
parking permits per parking district unit. This concern is related to the Municipal Code
changes proposed to allow parking district permits to be issued based on on-street
parking availability.
Response: Staff is proposing that issuance of parking permits be based on the total
number of on-street parking spaces within a given district. The number of permits available
would not exceed three times the number of on-street spaces. The primary reason for
this change is to allow commercial properties to participate in the parking permit program.
A two-permit limit would not function effectively in areas that are exclusively or
predominately commercial.
The intent of the proposed revision is the inclusion of commercial properties and to provide
sufficient and adequate parking for their establishments.
Comment 2: The new permit calculation method disproportionately benefits rental
properties versus owner-occupied properties.
Response: Rental properties do not qualify for more permits than owner-occupied
properties. Parking district permits are issued by street address. Additionally, permits not
purchased by one property are not available to other properties.
Comment 3: Applying the new permit calculation method to existing parking districts.
Response: Basing permit issuance on on-street parking space availability, if approved,
would apply to existing districts, however, 60% or greater of those parking district
residents would need to request that an analysis be performed. Staff is not
recommending automatically applying this new method to existing districts especially
without resident support.
Item 6a – Introduce an Ordinance Revising the City’s Parking Permit Program Page 3
Comment 4: Restricting multi-family properties from participating in the district process.
Response: On March 2, 2021, Council considered recommendations made by staff
regarding the Dana Street Parking District including allowing multi-family properties to
participate. Council approved the inclusion of multi-family properties of five to eight units
in the district as a one-time exception based on the unique characteristics of Dana Street.
The proposed changes do not include allowing multi-family properties to participate in the
process because that was an issue specific to the Dana Street Parking District and the
proposed language changes affect all existing and future parking districts. This item is not
meant to address issues specific to any one parking district as the language applies
equally to all existing and future parking districts; however, Council can still make
individual exceptions when considering parking districts in the future.
Comment 5: Issuing permits directly to occupants.
Response: Issuing permits directly to occupants simplifies the process, reduces the
administrative workload, and time to implement the program. Occupants would be
required to provide proof of residency either with a lease agreement, utility bill, or driver’s
license before permits can be obtained.
Residents have expressed concern that occupants will not transfer permits to new tenants
which will result in more permits being available to renters. The current process for lost or
stolen permits is to “hot list” those permits and issue new permits. Vehi cles displaying a
“hot list” permit are immediately subject to citation. The same process would be applied if
occupants do not transfer permits to new tenants.
Currently, property owners are responsible for notifying Parking Services when a new
tenant becomes eligible for parking privileges and if previously issued permits are no
longer in possession of a current tenant.
Parking Services is transitioning to digital parking permits for all parking programs. Digital
permits link to vehicles’ license plates allowing easier access for tenants, property owners,
and staff to verify proof of residency information and control permit authorization. Digital
permits will be implemented in fall of 2022.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Alex Fuchs, Parking Services
Supervisor, at afuchs@slocity.org.
Parking Services
1260 Chorro Street, Suite B, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.781.7230
slocity.org
August 2, 2021
Dear Resident / Property Owner:
At the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 24th, staff will be presenting
proposing changes to the parking permit district process to modify the following elements:
1. Allow businesses to participate in the parking permit district program.
The current municipal code language governing parking permit districts (SLOMC 10.36.170
et al) restricts participation in the permit program to non-multifamily residential properties of
four or fewer units. This limitation restricts the City’s ability to address parking impacts in areas
that are not predominately residential. Multifamily properties of five or more units would still
not be allowed to participate in the process.
2. Allow the Parking Division to issue parking permits directly to the Occupants
Currently, property owners are issued the annual parking permits even though the occupants
vote in support or opposition of a district’s establishment. Property owners can provide written
authorization for occupants to purchase permits but this process is confusing for both parties
and it creates delays in the permit issuance process. Issuing directly to the occupants would
reduce the administrative workload, streamline the implementation of the program, and
alleviate any impacts of untimely issuance of permits for the occupants.
3. Greater Flexibility with Number of Permits Issued
The issuance of two permits per unit maximum is the most common complaint raised by those
living in parking districts. Some districts have enough on-street spaces to accommodate more
permits, but staff is unable to issue additional permits because of the two-permit limitation.
Staff is recommending the issuance of permits based on the number of on-street parking
space with a not to exceed amount of three times the number of on-street space. Allowing
permit issuance based on this individual district factor provides staff with greater flexibility to
meet the needs of the community while addressing issues at the staff level.
How do these changes affect you?
If the recommended changes are approved by Council, then they will apply to all existing parking
districts throughout the City. This means residents of existing parking districts can request an
analysis be performed to determine if additional permits can be issued to those living in a given
parking district. It also means that businesses adjacent to existing districts can request to
participate in the parking district and to receive permits. You are welcome to attend the Council
meeting on Tuesday, August 24th, and comment publicly on the recommended changes or you
can write into Council at emailcouncil@slocity.org.
If you have any questions about these specific changes or general parking permit district
questions, then please contact Alexander Fuchs at afuchs@slocity.org.
Sincerely,
Alexander Fuchs
Parking Services Supervisor