HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/1998, C3 - CURB PARKING ON BISHOP STREET council November 17,1998
j acEnas Repout
CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey,Director of Public Works
Prepared by: Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner
SUBJECT: Curb Parking on Bishop Street
CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, approve the installation of curb parking along the
north side of Bishop Street west of Augusta Street.
DISCUSSION
Request for Parldng. Currently there is no curb parking along either side of Bishop Street west of
Augusta Street. Several months ago Councilmember Roalman asked that the Public Works staff
evaluate establishing curb parking on Bishop Street bordering Terrace Hill. The anticipated users
of this parking would be community residents who want to access Terrace Hill's open space.
The historical record for Bishop Street reflects a substantial public debate concerning the street's
extension to connect with Broad Street and the desire to minimize road construction across the
hillside. However, the record does not establish a clear reason why curb parking was not installed
when the Street was extended in the mid-1980's. Therefore,the Public Works staff is bringing this
issue to the Council for resolution.
History of Bishop Street. In the 1970's an EIR was prepared that evaluated alternative alignments
for extending Bishop Street westward from Augusta Street. The expectation at that time was that
Bishop Street would eventually connect with Broad Street at or near South Street.
In January 1980, the City Council held two meetings to consider Tract 758. The Council
considered establishing a 44-foot roadway within a 64-foot right-0f--way. After receiving public
testimony expressing concern for the extension of Bishop Street and traffic from the pending
subdivisions,the Council decided to establish:
• A 30-foot roadway to be more in keeping with the surrounding residential neighborhood; and
• A 64-foot right-of-way which could be used to construct a wider roadway if Bishop Street was
ever extended across the railroad to connect with Broad Street
The minutes of these meetings do not contain a discussion of curb parking along Bishop Street.
C3 -
Council Agenda Report—Bishop Street Curb Parking
Page 2
Since Bishop Street was extended in the 1980's, the City adopted a new Circulation Element. The
1994 Element shows Bishop Street being extended across the railroad and designates it as a
Residential Collector road (reference Figure #2). The Circulation Element stipulates that
Residential Collector roads should have two travel lanes(reference Policy 5.2).
Also, in October 1993 the City adopted a Bicycle Transportation Plan. The Bike Plan calls for
Class 11 bike lanes along both sides of Bishop Street from Johnson Avenue to Broad Street.
Evaluation. The existing 9.1 meter (30 foot) roadway can accommodate two 3.4 meter (11-foot)
travel lanes and one 2.4 meter (8 foot) parking bay. Therefore, consistent with current Circulation
Element standards, a two lane road can be maintained while providing parking on one side of the
street. The width of the resultant travel way is sufficient to accommodate emergency vehicles.
Providing curb parking along the north side of the street will have a nominal effect of narrowing the
roadway when the parking spaces are occupied. Narrower roads tend to foster slower traffic speeds
which may be consistent with the City Council's original intent of ensuring the development of a
street that is in keeping with the surrounding residential area.
The City's Bike Plan calls for the installation of Class H bike lanes on both sides of Bishop Street.
However, given the steep grade of the street and its current low traffic volumes, bike lanes are not
needed until such a time as Bishop Street is extended westward across the railroad and traffic
volumes increase. At that time, the roadway can be widened to 13.4 meters (44 feet) to
accommodate bike lanes on both sides of the street but curb parking only along one side. Given the
orientation of housing along the south side of the street,the need for curb parking along this stretch
of roadway is minimal. (Note: a 14.6 meter road would be needed to accommodate both bike lanes
and parking along both sides of the street.)
Staff believes that the north side of Bishop Street is the most appropriate side to install curb parking
at this time because:
• It is closest to the Ten-ace Hill open space; and
• Sidewalks already existing along this side of the street. (Along the south side of the street
landscaping would have to be removed to accommodate sidewalks at this time.)
Staff recommends that curb parking begin at a point 6 meters(about 19 feet)west of Augusta Street
and extend to a point 52 meters (approximately 170 feet) west of the trail head to the Terrace Hill
Open Space. This segment of curb area could accommodate about 20 parked vehicles— sufficient
for open space patrons and for overflow parking for the two residents that front the south side of the
street. A gap in the parking bay would be provided at the trail head to enable emergency vehicle
and maintenance vehicle access.
d3 -a
Council Agenda Report—Bishop Street Curb Parking
Page 3
If need be, curb parking could be extended farther westward down the hill. However, given the
steep grade of the street and its curved alignment, staff recommends that the amount of curb
parking be limited to the street segment described above and shown on attached Exhibit A.
FISCAL IIVIPACTS
All of the work necessary to create parking along the north side of the street would be done by City
crews. A center line would be installed on Bishop Street to ensure better lane delineation for
motorists and the location of the existing "no parking" signs would be modified. The City's cost
for this work will be nominal—less than$1,000.
ALTERNATIVES
The City could:
1. Not provide for curb parking: motorists wishing to access the Ten-ace Hill open space would
continue to park in other parts of the surrounding residential area (e.g. on Augusta Street) and
walk to the site.
2. Provide Curb Parking on the South Side of the Street: staff believes that the vertical curve
of the street coupled with mid-block crossings for pedestrians,and impacts to privately-installed
frontage landscaping are disadvantages associated with this alternative.
3. Provide Fewer Parking Spaces: fewer curb parking spaces could be provided. This option
could incrementally reduce access to the Ten-ace Hill's open space by motorists — which in
itself has both positive and negative effects from a neighborhood perspective.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Location Map of Proposed Curb Par king Area
L\EveryonelCounciLAgendaReports\BishopSt=tPatking
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ML4'iN ' AGENDA �!/�
DATE ITEM #.-
November 12, 1998
Mayor Allan Settle
Councilman Roalman
Councilman Schwartz J�bUNCIL f' a
Councilman Romero i
p CHIEF
Councilwoman Williams W, JR
City of San Luis Obispo NECCcl` ^C O H HF
990 Palm Street unL DIN
San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 0 PEFND
Dear City Council:
This letter is being written in response to requested public comment on the
establishment of parking on Bishop Street,West of Augusta Street. Our residence is one
of the homes on the South side of Bishop Street which are referred to in the staff report.
While our address is an Augusta Street address,our front door is directly opposite the
trailhead to Terrace Hill on Bishop Street. Because we are the only home with a direct
view of the vehicle gate and pedestrian trailhead, we feel we may be the most qualified to
comment on the existing use of the park. We hope that our comments will assist the
council is rendering an appropriate decision.
We have long felt there is a need for some parking on Bishop Street. In general,
we are very much in favor of the proposal. It would undoubtedly encourage the use of
the open space for the general public during the daylight hours. We believe this is a very
beneficial objective. However, it will also encourage the late night use by San Luis
Obispo's teenagers. Most people are unaware of this common use. We are certain the
police record clearly delineates the abuses of alcohol and open fires during the late night
hours of weekends and holidays. We have witnessed on many occasions over the past ten
years the police climbing the hill with flashlights in hand or driving their squad cars up
the hill road to bring to a conclusion an out of control party. It is particularly bad during
graduation time. Empty beer bottles, cans and miscellaneous trash is commonplace on
Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our concern is that by adding convenience to the access
with parking, it will become an ordinary event to spend late weekend nights at the top of
Terrace Hill. Presently,there are several homeless individuals that camp on the hill with
regularity. There have even been some unpleasant encounters between the two groups.
Nevertheless, we are in favor of the parking change provided there are nighttime
restrictions. Unlimited parking would be a disaster. It would foster camping and
overnight use,which is specifically prohibited. We do not believe the City originally
intended the Terrace Hill Open Space to be used after dark. We believe there may be a
City liability associated with encouraging after dark use in an unlighted area which at the
very least would be considered rugged terrain.
Our recommendation would be a "no parking" provision with"tow away"
provisions between late evening and early morning. I believe this is a typical techni ue to
RECEIVED
NOV i3 11gR
SLO CITY COUNCIL
discourage overnight parking in or near public parks and recreational areas. This would
hopefully mitigate the potential problem and at the same time allow and encourage
maximum use and enjoyment for the citizens of San Luis Obispo. Obviously this requires
enforcement of the hours by the police. I expect that the enforcement would be a result of
a complaint received by a resident being disturbed by an ongoing party. Our goal is not to
restrict the use and enjoyment of the park by the average user,but to discourage late night
use. Restricting the parking during late night hours should discourage the congregation of
large groups at inappropriate hours.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. We appreciate your efforts to
listen to the individuals who will be most impacted by the proposed changes. Were we
not going to be out of town on November 17'", we would have appeared in person to
communicate our concerns.
rely,
hn and Mair Hough