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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/01/2015 - ITEMS RELATING TO TRAFFIC CODE AMENDMENTS REGARDINAgenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY September 1, 2015 City Council STAFF Martina Wilkinson, Civil Engineer Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer SUBJECT Items Relating to Traffic Code Amendments Regarding Accommodation of Low-speed Electric Vehicles and Parking Regulations. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 103, 2015, Amending Section 1410.1 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code Allowing Low-Speed Electric Vehicles. B. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 104, 2015, Amending Section 1205 and 1205.5 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code Amending Parking Restrictions. These Ordinances, unanimously adopted on First Reading on August 18, 2015, amend two sections of the Fort Collins Traffic Code. The amendment to Section 1410.1 will permit low speed electric vehicles on certain City streets. Section 1205 is proposed to be amended to permit parking configurations that will accommodate the potential for parking-protected bike lanes and back-in angle parking. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on Second Reading. ATTACHMENTS 1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, August 18, 2015 (PDF) 2. Ordinance No. 103, 2015 (PDF) 3. Ordinance No. 104, 2015 (PDF) Agenda Item 15 Item # 15 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY August 18, 2015 City Council STAFF Martina Wilkinson, Civil Engineer Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer SUBJECT Items Relating to Traffic Code Amendments Regarding Accommodation of Low-speed Electric Vehicles and Parking Regulations. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 103, 2015, Amending Section 1410.1 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code Allowing Low-Speed Electric Vehicles. B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 104, 2015, Amending Section 1205 and 1205.5 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code Amending Parking Restrictions. The purpose of this item is to amend several sections of the Fort Collins Traffic Code. The amendment to Section 1410.1 will permit low speed electric vehicles on certain City streets. Section 1205 is proposed to be amended to permit parking configurations that will accommodate the potential for parking-protected bike lanes and back-in angle parking. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on First Reading BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION There are two separate changes are proposed for the Fort Collins Traffic Code. The detailed text changes are included in the ordinances. A. Ordinance No. 103, 2015 - Section 1410.1 Low-speed electric vehicles. Section 1410.1 previously prohibited the use of low-speed electric vehicles on City streets. Several City departments, as well as Colorado State University, are interested in utilizing these types of vehicles, and state law already permits their operation on certain streets. It is a local option for the City of Fort Collins to authorize low speed vehicles within the City, and following a review by City staff, staff recommends that the City Traffic Code be amended to be consistent with state law. B. Ordinance No. 104, 2015 - Section 1205 Parking at curb or edge of roadway and Section 1205.5 Obedience to angle parking sign or marking These sections in the Traffic Code currently require vehicles to park with their front wheel within 12 inches of the curb. There are several new and innovative treatments for parking and bike lanes that the City would like to be able to pilot and/or implement, including parking protected bike lanes, and back-in angle parking. The recommended changes in these sections will allow these treatments to be considered and potentially implemented. ATTACHMENT 1 Agenda Item 15 Item # 15 Page 2 Staff will submit all the changes to Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for approval pursuant to statute. As the amendments are made to be consistent with state laws and/or are particular to the traffic needs of Fort Collins, it is anticipated CDOT will approve the amendments. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS The changes to Section 1410.1 allowing low-speed electric vehicles are not anticipated to have a city financial impact. The changes to Sections 1205 and 1205.5 allowing different parking configurations do not have any immediate financial impact. Funding for projects that are implemented with new parking options will be identified on a case by case basis. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION No boards or commissions were involved with these recommended changes. PUBLIC OUTREACH The changes for low-speed electric vehicles are housekeeping changes with limited outreach. The changes for parking are intended to allow the treatments to be considered. Outreach will occur with specific projects once proposed. ATTACHMENTS 1. Sustainability Assessment Summary and Tool - Low-speed Electric Vehicles (PDF) 2. Sustainability Assessment Summary and Tool - Parking Changes (PDF) - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 103, 2015 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING SECTION 1410.1 OF THE FORT COLLINS TRAFFIC CODE REGARDING LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHEREAS, on February 18, 2003, by Ordinance No. 016, 2003, the City Council adopted the Fort Collins Traffic Code (the “Traffic Code”); and WHEREAS, City staff have been studying the advisability of recommending that low- speed electric vehicles be permitted on certain City streets when public safety is not substantially impaired; and WHEREAS, state law permits the operation of low-speed electric vehicles on certain state roadways and authorizes cities to regulate the operation of such vehicles on local streets, providing such regulation is consistent with state law; and WHEREAS, City staff recommends that the Fort Collins Traffic Code be amended to permit the operation of low-speed electric vehicles on certain City streets consistent with state law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Section 1410.1 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 1410.1. Low-speed electric vehicles. (1) Every person driving a low-speed electric vehicle on a street where such operation is permitted shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties and penalties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle as set forth in this Traffic Code. (2) No person shall drive a low-speed electric vehicle on a street unless: (a) the street has a speed limit equal to or less than thirty-five miles per hour, except that it may be operated to directly cross a street that has a speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour at an at- grade crossing to continue traveling along a street with a speed limit equal to or less than thirty-five miles per hour; (b) the low-speed electric vehicle conforms to applicable federal manufacturing equipment standards; (c) the low-speed electric vehicle is equipped with that equipment required for such a motor vehicle by Title 42, Article 4, Part 2, C.R.S.; and - 2 - (d) the low-speed electric vehicle is registered and licensed as required by this Traffic Code or the State of Colorado. (3) No person shall drive a low-speed electric vehicle on a limited access highway. (4) No person shall drive a low-speed electric vehicle on a sidewalk, trail, or public walkway unless otherwise authorized by this Traffic Code or the City Code. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of August, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of September, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 1st day of September, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 104, 2015 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING SECTIONS 1205 AND 1205.5 OF THE FORT COLLINS TRAFFIC CODE REGARDING PARKING RESTRICTIONS WHEREAS, on February 18, 2003, by Ordinance No. 016, 2003, the City Council adopted the Fort Collins Traffic Code (the “Traffic Code”); and WHEREAS, amending the Traffic Code to permit parking-protected bicycle lanes between the street curb and parked vehicles and back-in angle parking in designated areas will enhance the safety of bicyclists as they use the City’s roadways; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Traffic Code amendments set forth in this Ordinance are in the best interest of the City and are necessary for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That Section 1205 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 1205. Parking at curb or edge of roadway. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3) of this Section, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within twelve (12) inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder. (2) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3) of this Section, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a one-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway in the direction of authorized traffic movement, with its right-hand wheels within twelve (12) inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder, or with its left-hand wheels within twelve (12) inches of the left-hand curb or as close as practicable to the left edge of the left-hand shoulder. (3) When official traffic control devices delineate parking spaces located away from the curb or edge of roadway, every parked vehicle shall be parked or stopped fully within the indicated spaces so as not to interfere with the free movement of vehicular traffic or street maintenance. - 2 - Section 2. That Section 1205.5 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 1205.5. Obedience to angle parking sign or markings. (1) On those streets which the City Traffic Engineer has approved and has signed or marked for front-in angle parking, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings, and within lined markings, with the vehicle's appropriate front tire within twelve (12) inches of adjacent to the correspondent curb or edge of the roadway except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or other emergency services personnel. (2) On those streets which the City Traffic Engineer has approved and has signed or marked for back-in angle parking, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings, and within lined markings, with the vehicle's appropriate rear tire within twelve (12) inches of the correspondent curb or edge of the roadway except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or other emergency services personnel. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of August, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of September, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 1st day of September, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk