City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 7, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: YON LAMBERT, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Creation of Residential Permit Parking District 14 in Potomac Greens.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of the Creation of Residential Permit Parking (RPP) District 14 in Potomac Greens.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council amend the Residential Permit Parking District Map to include District 14 to cover the area shown in Attachment 1.
BACKGROUND: Staff worked with a subcommittee of the Traffic and Parking Board (T&PB) and the community on the RPP Refresh Project in 2018 and 2019 to develop code amendments that were approved by Council in December 2019. This City Code update included language allowing staff to initiate new RPP districts through a resident ballot. Per updated Code Section 5-8-73(b), the City must receive responses from occupants of more than 50% of the residences in the proposed new district, and at least 60% of the responses must support the proposed district to continue with the process.
Last fall, the Council approved a new RPP district for Potomac Yard using this process. Following that approval, the Potomac Greens Homeowners Association (HOA) approached staff with concerns about commuter parking issues that may arise from the future Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, anticipated to open in Fall 2022. They requested staff initiate a ballot process to create a new RPP district in the area shown in Attachment 1. The proposed district boundary is the area with the highest expected impact from the Metrorail Station and was developed in coordination with the Potomac Greens HOA. If District 14 is approved, residents of abutting blocks could, in the future, petition to expand the proposed district using the typical petition process outlined in City Code Section 5-8-74.
DISCUSSION: Ballots were mailed to all residents within the proposed new RPP District on March 2, 2022. The ballots provided information on the Residential Permit Program and requested residents to respond regarding whether they supported the creation of a new district for their address as well as their preference for parking restrictions (a standard restriction versus customized restrictions). A sample ballot letter is provided in Attachment 2. Staff requested ballots be returned by March 28, 2022, via mail, email, or through a password-protected online form. Each address was also assigned a unique PIN through their ballot to ensure only those who received a ballot could vote and only one vote per household could be submitted.
Staff received 155 unique responses out of a total of 227 ballots sent, representing a 68% response rate, exceeding the required 50% response rate. Of these, 95% indicated they supported the creation of the new district, exceeding the 60% support rate requirement.
Following Council approval of the new district, the Traffic and Parking Board must consider requests for restrictions on specific blocks at a public hearing. Staff has begun working with the Potomac Greens HOA to identify specific blocks within the proposed district for signage. Typically, parking restrictions around Metro Stations are 2 hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday to prevent commuter parking, but can be extended to 11 p.m. or 2 a.m. if there are unique circumstances that warrant longer restrictions. Staff anticipates reviewing these requests with the Potomac Greens residents this summer so signage can be installed prior to the opening of the Metrorail Station in the fall.
The T&PB considered the proposed new RPP District in April 2022 and unanimously recommended Council approval. There were no public speakers on this item.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of approving the creation of District 14 is minor. Approximately six (6) new signs will be required for each block that successfully petitions for RPP signage. Staff will install signage in approved locations in the fall and if all eligible blocks are signed with restrictions, this will cost approximately $12,000.
However, the cost to fabricate and install these signs is anticipated to be offset by the permit parking revenue for these blocks. There would be 227 new households eligible to purchase District 14 parking permits at $40 per permit for the first vehicle, $50 for the second vehicle, and $150 for each additional vehicle. Staff anticipates all 227 households will purchase at least one permit and 50% will purchase a second sticker, which results in $14,750.
Additional costs may be incurred to enforce block faces that implement RPP restrictions. Some costs can be offset by increased revenue from District 14, and additional enforcement needs could be considered in the FY24 budget process.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Proposed District Boundary
Attachment 2: Sample Ballot Letter
Attachment 3: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Don Hayes, Chief, Police
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, Transportation, T&ES
Katye North, Division Chief, Mobility Services, T&ES
Alex Block, Principal Planner, Mobility Services, T&ES
Max Devilliers, Urban Planner II, Mobility Services, T&ES