HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-1666 amending Municipal Code Title 10 regarding vehicles and trafficORDINANCE NO. 1666 (2019 SERIES)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 10
REGARDING VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to accommodate ride share vehicles and taxicabs
in the downtown area by allowing passenger vehicles the ability to load and unload passengers in
loading zones without being subject to citation; and
WHEREAS, passenger loading and unloading in the downtown can be problematic and
potentially hazardous for drivers and passengers during the late-night period when there is little
turnover of curb spaces for loading purposes and no designated passenger unloading zones; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to discourage passenger loading and unloading
in vehicular travel lanes and that loading from adjacent curbs is preferable; and
WHEREAS, Title 10 of the Municipal Code already establishes the authority of the Public
Works Director to establish passenger loading zones in the central traffic district by place and time
however those passenger zones are to be indicated by white paint; and
WHEREAS, late night passenger loading activities need to have specific areas designated
for the loading and unloading of passengers, particularly those using ride share vehicles or taxicabs
and that a blanket white curb installation would be confusing to motorists and the public; and
WHEREAS, the use of signs to denote the limits and time restrictions for passenger
loading zones may be preferable to white paint in certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code and State Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices allow for loading zones to be established by signage, painting or a combination of both.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 10.44.010 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, entitled Loading
Zones — Marking — Authority, is hereby amended to read as follows:
10.44.010 Loading Zones — Marking — Authority.
A. The public works director or their designee(s) is authorized to determine and to mark loading
zones and passenger loading zones as follows:
1. At any place in the central traffic district or any business district;
2. Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place
used for the purpose of public assembly.
B. Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top and side of all curbs in the
zones.
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Ordinance No. 1666 (2019 Series)
Page 2
C. Passenger loading zones shall be:
1. Indicated by white paint upon the top and side of all curbs in the zones.; or
2. Traffic control signs indicating Hours of operation and use times as set by resolution or
ordinance of the Council; or,
3. A combination of the above.
SECTION 2. Section 10.44.040 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, entitled White
Zones — Time restrictions for loading and unloading, is hereby amended to read as follows:
10.44.040 Passenger Zones — Time restrictions for loading and unloading.
A. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in any passenger loading zone for any purpose
other than the loading or unloading of passengers for such time as is specified in this section or by
resolution of the Council.
B. Permission herein granted to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers
shall include the loading or unloading of personal baggage and shall not extend beyond the time
necessary therefor and in no event for more than ten minutes and during such time the vehicle may
be left unoccupied to accommodate the use.
SECTION 3. If any subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance
is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or uncnforccability shall not affect the validity or enforcement of the remaining portions
of this ordinance, or any other provisions of the City's rules and regulations. It is the City's express
intent that each remaining portion would have been adopted irrespective of the fact that any one
or more subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or
unenforceable.
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SECTION 4. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council members
voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final passage, in The
New Times, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance shall go into effect
at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 20th day of August 2019, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the 3rd day of September 2019, on the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Christianson, Gomez and Stewart
Vice Mayor Pease and Mayor Harmon
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
OVED AS TO FORM:
J. ristine Dietrick
ity Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, thislj _ day of , zo
eresa Purrington
City Clerk