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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 - Parking Advisory Board - Annual ReportParking Advisory Board Holly Wright, Chair Bob Criswell, Vice Chair Parking Advisory Board 2017 Annual Report Mission Statement: The Mission of the Parking Advisory Board is to help enhance the implementation of the City’s parking policies and plans by providing a forum for public discussion and input regarding parking issues; to educate the public about the use and benefits of public parking resources; to support and advocate for various parking initiatives and programs; and to make recommendations to City Council regarding major parking decisions. Activity Summary: The Parking Advisory Board met formally on nine occasions at our regularly scheduled meeting time, the second Monday of each month. The October meeting did not have a quorum; therefore, an informal meeting was held. Highlights: The Parking Advisory Board had a very productive year and completed three out of the four 2017 work plan items. I. A detailed recommendation to City Council regarding the City Master Plan, Transportation Plan and Transit Plan with emphasis on parking elements. Parking Advisory Board was unable to accomplish this due to the fact that the scope of the City Plan was revised. Transfort’s Service Development Manager attended the November meeting and provided the Board with an update, and the board reviewed a brief overview of the revisions. Therefore, this item was not accomplished and will be included on the board’s 2018 Work Plan. II. Evaluate the Residential Parking Program and report findings to City Council. During the February 13 th meeting, City Staff presented updates on the Residential Parking Permit Program (RP3) and Stadium Event RP3. In response Board members discussed options for improving the RP3 program, including revisions to commuter permit rules and issues regarding parking in residential neighborhoods during large stadium events. a. Review before and after occupancy data: Staff presented evidence to the board that occupancy in RP3 zones is well below the 70% threshold used to determine eligibility for formation of a zone. Occupied spaces vary from 25% - 50% creating “parking deserts”. Board members made the following suggestions to City Staff. 1. Evaluate the price of commuter permits and lower the cost depending on the demand for parking. 2. Lower the maximum occupancy rate (from 70% to 60%) above which no commuter permits can be sold, and to assign commuter permits to block faces. 3. City staff should do more to promote the availability of commuter permits through signage, education and online access to permits. 4. The Board expressed concern that RP3 zones are putting pressure on adjacent non RP3 neighborhoods. b. Feedback from RP3 Neighborhoods: The feedback from residents in RP3 zones was positive. Facts show that the program is allowing residents the opportunity to park in their neighborhood. III. Provided Feedback to City Staff about Parking Service Management Strategies regarding modifications made to parking enforcement. • The Board supported Parking Enforcement be extended to Saturdays and evening hours during the weekdays. • The board supported the application that tracks parking availability down town and the ability to pay to extend allowed time. IV. Provide feedback to City Staff and concerning Game Day and CSU Stadium Parking Program The Parking Advisory Board did not support an RP3 program for CSU Game Days. • The concept of permit parking with fines for non-permitted vehicles is unwelcoming to visitors the community. • Parking in neighborhoods that border CSU is a parking resource that will be needed for the potential volume of cars that need to be accommodated for large events. It also may help with traffic congestion after events if cars are spread around the campus. • A permit parking program for large events will prevent gatherings of students and Fort Collins residents at homes in the RP3 zones that wish to assemble and celebrate before and after the games. • If RP3 is offered, large event parking permits must be offered to nonresidents. Additionally, during the July 10 th Parking Advisory Board meeting, City Staff presented an update on CSU Stadium Game Day RP3 that included the option of towing vehicles for parking violations during large stadium events. The Parking Advisory Board recommended to City Staff and City Council against towing as a penalty for stadium event parking offenses in RP3 zones. Instead, they suggested an escalated fine schedule based on repeated violations. The Board’s concern is maintaining a positive relationship between the City, CSU, and our community. The Board specifically was concerned with: • The high cost of being towed • The possibility, which did occur, that attendees could not get their cars back after a late game. • The undue negative impact to our City Acknowledgement: The Parking Advisory Board acknowledges and commends the excellent presentations by Planning, Development, and Transportation departments and Colorado State University. Furthermore, the board would like to thank Councilmember Overbeck for attending the September meeting.