HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/2005, BUS. 3 - AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.20.260 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGNATION OF TAXICAB PARKING council M ti.WD" June 21,200
j aGEnda REpoin SUS. 3
CITY OF SAN LU 15 O B 1 S P 0
FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Sergeant Rick Crocker
SUBJECT: Amendment of Section 5.20.260 of the Municipal Code to Authorize
the Designation of Taxicab Parking Zones by the Director of Public
Works or His or Her Designee
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an Ordinance amending Section 5.20.260 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code to
grant the Director of Public Works, or his or her designee, authority to designate Taxicab
Parking Zones.
DISCUSSION
Back round
Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 2:00 am, there is a high demand for taxicab pickups in the
downtown core from patrons of the many bars and restaurants. Large groups of patrons
frequently congregate outside downtown bars at closing time to wait for taxis. Parking of
privately-owned vehicles on the streets in the areas of these establishments often makes it
difficult for taxicabs to lawfully park at the pickup points to which they have been dispatched.
As a result, taxicabs often double-park and impede vehicular traffic behind them. This not only
violates the California Vehicle Code, but it creates a hazard when other vehicles are forced to
change lanes and pass. Pedestrians occasionally walk into the roadway between parked vehicles
and in front of double-parked taxicabs which creates another hazardous situation.
Although existing City Municipal Code 5.20.260 A (Taxicab Stands) provides Council the
authority to establish taxicab stands in the City, there are currently no taxicab stands designated
(zones) within the central traffic district (downtown) in the City. Two taxicab companies
presently operate within the City under local licensing requirements. Absent designated taxicab
stands, taxicabs may stop to conduct business at any public parking location where it is lawful
for a commercial vehicle to park. California Vehicle Code section 21112 gives local authorities
the power to adopt by ordinance and regulate the location of stands on streets and highways for
use by taxicabs and other public carriers for hire in their respective jurisdictions.
Proposed Parking Zones
Lack of available parking for taxicabs during late-night hours would be alleviated through the
creation of specific parking zones designated for taxicabs and the Ride-on Bus. These parking
zones would be located near, but not in front of, the downtown bars/restaurants that have a high
3-�
Council Agenda Report—Downtown Taxicab Parking Zones
Page 2
volume of people who come and go during peak bar hours. The zones would be restricted from
use for parking privately-owned vehicles during the hours of 10:00 pm to 3:00 am. Most of
other downtown businesses are closed during these hours and would not be impacted by the
nighttime taxi zones. In addition, the end of the taxicab zone period(3:00 am) coincides with the
3:00 am to 5:00 am "No Parking" ordinance for the entire downtown area to allow for street
sweeping. The hours of operation for the taxicab zone would not conflict with any other parking
regulations.. Sufficient parking for private vehicles exists on adjacent streets so the impact of the
nighttime taxi zones on parking would be very minimal for patrons frequenting the bars and
restaurants after 10:00 pm.
The Municipal Code currently allows Council to designate taxicab stands on public streets for
use by locally licensed taxicab operators. When taxicab stands are designated by Council, the
owner or driver of any taxicab is required to utilize them when picking up fares in the central
traffic district.
Staff is recommending the initial designation of seven taxicab parking zones at the following
locations:
1. 900 block of Osos; metered parking space directly across from the entrance to Blue.
2. 1100 block of Garden; metered parking space across from the entrance to SLO Brewing
Company(at the entrance to the Downtown Association entrance).
3. 1000 block of Chorro; loading zone located directly across from the entrance to Bull's
Tavem (this is large enough to serve the Ride-On bus).
4. 700 block of Higuera (at Garden). Two metered spaces that will be large enough to serve
the Ride-On bus.
5. 700 block of Higuera (north side of Ifiguera at Broad). This will be a metered space
located in front of the entrance to The Sports Forum.
6. 700 block of Higuera (south side of I3iguera at Broad). This will be a metered space
located in front of the old Phone and Wireless store.
7. 1000 block of Nipomo. This is a loading zone adjacent to the entrance to the city parking
lot across the street from Tortilla Flats.
Each zone is within close walking distance to all on-sale establishments that are open between 10
pm and 2 am. None of these zones are located directly in front of any on-sale liquor
establishment. Each zone provides a safe location for taxis to pick-up and drop-off customers
with sufficient space to easily pull into and out of the zones. There would be no need for taxis or
the Ride-on bus to double park and violate the law and jeopardize safety.
Staff recommends that Council authorize the Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, to
designate the location of taxicab stands in the downtown area. By granting that authority to the
Public Works Director, taxicab zones could be added, eliminated, or modified by staff as the
businesses and needs of the downtown change and evolve, without the need for Council action in
each instance.
Council.Agenda Report—Downtown Taxicab Parking Zones
Page 3
Parking Zone Marking and Enforcement
The existing Municipal Code currently specifies that taxicab stands shall be designated by
alternating striped colors of the taxicab company painted on the curb with the words, "TAXI
CAB ONLY." Staff recommends that painted curbs not be utilized to mark taxicab parking
zones, since the zones will only be used by taxicabs at night. Painted curbs would be confusing
to drivers attempting to park in metered zones during the daytime hours. Instead, staff
recommends that Council grant the Public Works Director or his or her designee the authority to
identify taxicab zones by marked signs or such other appropriate markings as may be best suited
to a given location. Initially, staff proposes using two different methods of designating taxicab
zones. If the taxicab zone is a regular metered space on a public street, a sign would be attached
to the meter pole reading, "TAXI ZONE ONLY 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM." If the taxicab zone is a
non-metered loading zone, a pole with such a sign would be erected.
Municipal Code Sections 10.36.040 D currently prohibits parking in any area established by
Council as,a no parking zone and properly indicated as such by signs. Once designated and
properly posted, any vehicle parking in a designated taxi zone during the restricted hours could
be cited for a violation of that Section.
CONCURRENCES
The City Attorney and Director of Public Works concur with the CAO recommendation.
Staff has contacted the owners and management of Central Cab, Beach Cities Cab, and Ride-On
concerning the establishment of these parking zones. Each has endorsed the plan and encourages
the approval of this amendment.
Staff presented the taxicab parking zone proposal at the June 3, 2005 Downtown Association
quarterly breakfast meeting and it received positive feedback from attendees. Staff also
presented the proposal to the Downtown Association Executive Committee on June 7, 2005. The
Executive Committee supports the proposal and agreed to recommend its endorsement to the
Board of Directors at their meeting on June 14, 2005. Minutes from that meeting Will be
provided prior to the Council meeting. Staff contacted the Executive Director of the SLO
Chamber of Commerce who requested to be kept informed of this issue, but deferred to the
opinion of the Downtown Association, since the taxicab zones only affect downtown businesses.
Staff has attempted contact with most of the downtown businesses to solicit input on the
proposed amendment. Each downtown merchant that was contacted reacted favorably to the
proposed amendment.
3-3
Council Agenda Report-Downtown Taxicab Parking Zones
Page 4
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no significant fiscal impacts. Signs cost approximately $40 dollars each for a total of
$280.00 (does not include cost of pole, if necessary). The signs would be funded and installed
utilizing existing City resources and personnel. There would be no meter revenue loss to the
City. There would likely be some parking citation revenues resulting from parking violations
committed in the taxicab parking zones. Under the current City Penalty Schedule, the fine for
violation of Municipal Code Section 10.36.040 by parking in a designated taxi zone during the
restricted hours would be $35.00.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could decline to adopt the Ordinance authorizing the designation of taxicab stands. This
alternative is not recommended due to the negative impacts it would have on traffic and pedestrian
safety in the downtown area.
ATTACHMENT
Ordinance
-7
C
ORDINANCE NO. (2005 Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING SECTION 5.20.260 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TAXICAB STANDS
WHEREAS, Chapter 5.20 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code governs the operations
of taxicabs within the City, and
WHEREAS, the Council finds it necessary to modify the language of existing section
5.20.260 relating to taxicab stands.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
Section 1. Section 5.20.260 (Taxicab Stands) of Chapter 5.20 (Taxicabs) of Title 5
(Licenses, Permits and.Regulations) of the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Taxicab Stands
A. The Director of Public Works or his or her designee may designate taxicab stands on
public streets for use by certificate holders. The Director of Public Works or his or
her designee may move, add or eliminate taxicab stands as he or she deems
appropriate.
B. No owner or driver of any taxicab shall park the same on any public street in the
central traffic district for the purpose of soliciting business, other than at the stands
designated by the Director of Public Works or his or her designee.
C. The taxicab stands shall be designated by signs or other appropriate markings, as
directed by the Director of Public Works or his or her designee.
Section 2. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council
members voting for an against shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final passage,
in the Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance shall go into
effect thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the day of , 2005, and FINALLY ADOPTED
by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the day of , 2005, on the
following role call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
3—5
City Council Ordinance No. (2005 Series)
Page 2
Mayor David F. Romero
ATTEST:
Audrey Hooper, City Clerk
APPROVED:
Jon Lowell, City Attorney
O:\Agenda-Ordinances-Resol\Taxicab Stands Amending Ordinance.doc
SLO Downtown Association
Board of Directors
14 June 2005 RED FILE
City Council Hearing Room MEETING AGENDA
Minutes DAT%,, ITEM #��3
Call to order by Main 7:40 AM.
Present
Kathi Main
Tom Swem
Brad Bilsten
Pam Seeley
Tom Copeland
Tunny Ortali
Howard Carroll
Alex Gough �7v)Ellen HenryDoug Shaw CDD DIR
Brandon Downing, ex officio IN DIR
Deborah Cash, staff IRE CHIEF
W DIR
Kristin Dennis, staff Katie Winfrey, staff OLICECHFEC DIRJohn Ewan TIL DiR
Patricia Wilmore R DIR.
Betsy Kiser _
No public comment at this time..
Motion to approve minutes of May 3 by Ortali, 2"d by Henry.
Motion to approve minutes of May 23 by Shaw, 2"d by Seeley, PAIF.
Staff Reviews/Contracts
Main gave overview of review process.
Motion by Swem to approve contract renewal and salary increase for Cash and Dennis, 2"d
by Ortali, no discussion, PAIF.
Taxi Zone
Motion to uphold Exec. Committee recommendation to support taxi zone program by
Ortalig 2°d by Swem,PAIF.
Court St. Opening
Tom Copeland stated the opening went very well, several more stores opening this summer.
Open Air Flowers will be going into a new spot on Osos Street in the center.
Fiesta de SLO