City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 17, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Maximum Time Limit for Parking Meters in
Zone 2. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution to implement a recommendation of the Old Town Area Parking Study (OTAPS) Work Group to increase the maximum time limit for parking meters west of Alfred Street and within the Old Town Area Parking Study Area Zone 2 (Attached) from two hours to three hours.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City Council adopt the attached proposed resolution which establishes the maximum time limit for parking meters in Zone 2 as three hours effective as of July 1, 2015.
BACKGROUND: The reconvened OTAPS Work Group is currently finalizing their recommendations to address parking issues within the study area. However, at their April 29, 2015 meeting, the Work Group made a motion to recommend extending the maximum time limit for meters west of Alfred Street from two hours to three hours and asked that the steps to implement this change be taken in advance of the final summary of their recommendations. Staff proposed the necessary amendments to the City Code to take the first step to start this change, which was approved by the City Council on June 13, 2015. Pursuant to City Code, specific meter hours must be adopted by the City Council through a resolution.
DISCUSSION: An updated parking inventory of the study area was performed in 2014. This data indicated a lower occupancy for metered blocks west of Alfred Street in comparison to east of Alfred Street. The inventory of public parking garages and lots also showed fewer long term parking options west of Alfred Street. In order to provide longer term parking options and increase utilization of meters west of Alfred Street, the OTAPS Work Group recommended extending the maximum time limit for these meters from two hours to three hours. Pursuant to the City Code, the City Council may establish hours for meters through a resolution. Extending the meters to three hours will enhance parking options and encourage meter usage while balancing the desired turnover of on-street parking spaces.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact is minor because the overall hours the meters will be in operation remain the same. The minor fiscal impact is the cost to change the signs for meters west of Alfred Street, which is estimated to be approximately $5,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2: Map of Parking Meter Zone 2
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Acting Deputy City Manager
James Banks, City Attorney
Christopher Spera, Deputy City Attorney
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Sandra Marks, Deputy Director, T&ES
Carrie Sanders, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Katye North, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning, T&ES