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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09) 9.C. DOWNTOWN PARKING PLANAGENDA ITEM 9.C. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DATE: November 20, 2012 TO: The Honorable City Council MEMORANDUM FROM: Jose E. Pulido, City Manager X Via: Steve Masura, Community Development Director By: Bryan Ariizumi, Public Safety Officer Teresa Santilena, Management Analyst SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 12-4873 APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to receive a presentation from RBF Consulting of the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan highlights, hear any public comments and adopt Resolution No. 12-4873 (Attachment "A"), approving the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan (i.e., Plan) (Attachment "B"). BACKGROUND: On February 19, 2008, the City entered into a professional services agreement with Avant Garde Inc. for various economic development, program management and grant writing services. On October 6, 2009, the City Council discussed the concerns expressed by citizens and business owners regarding parking in the Downtown Specific Plan area. At that time, Avant Garde was developing an economic development strategy for the City and offered their services to develop and conduct a parking study. 3. On December 1, 2009, Avant Garde presented the City Council with the study results. The results indicated some general concern and the need to improve parking for businesses, employees, and customers. 4. On January 19, 2010, the City Council reviewed staff recommendations for alternate parking solutions in the downtown area. The City Council directed staff to move forward with the preparation of a comprehensive downtown parking study. City Council November 20, 2012 Page 2 5. On April 27, 2011, Community Development staff circulated a Request for Proposals (RFP) with a July 15, 2011 due date, inviting qualified consultants to submit proposals to conduct a comprehensive downtown parking study and development of a Downtown Parking Strategic Plan. 6. On August 4, 2011, Community Development staff (i.e., Community Development Director Steve Masura, Community Development Manager Joe Lambert and Public Safety Officer Bryan Ariizumi) reviewed the 17 RFPs received and selected five firms for interviews. 7. On August 10, 2011, the Public Safety Commission heard requests from Green Island Restaurant representatives to remove the all -day parking restrictions in the parking lot behind the restaurant. The Public Safety Commission adopted Resolution No. PSC 11-0005, changing the all -day parking restrictions in the parking lot to a 2 - hour time limit. During the meeting, residents on Primrose Avenue expressed their concerns about employee and customer vehicles parking on Primrose Avenue, occupying all available street parking. The Commission proposed special residential parking restrictions in the 5800 block of Primrose Avenue. 8. On August 26, 2011, Community Development staff (i.e., Community Development Director Steve Masura, Community Development Manager Joe Lambert and Public Safety Officer Bryan Ariizumi) and Planning Commissioner Patrick Horton interviewed five firms and selected RBF Consulting. 9. On September 20, 2011, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11-4774, approving the special residential parking restrictions in the 5800 block of Primrose Avenue. 10. On October 4, 2011, the City Council approved the consultant services agreement with RBF Consulting to conduct a comprehensive downtown parking study and develop a downtown parking strategic plan. 11. On October 25, 2011, RBF Consulting conducted hourly weekday parking counts of occupied and unoccupied on -street and off-street parking spaces between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 12. On October 26, 2011, RBF Consulting met with Chamber of Commerce members during a "Coffee Connection" event. The Chamber members provided information regarding the status of the parking situation in the Downtown area. 13. On October 29, 2011, RBF Consulting conducted hourly weekend parking counts of occupied and unoccupied on -street and off-street parking spaces between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. City Council November 20, 2012 Page 3 14. On November 17, 2011, RBF Consulting solicited widespread community input during a focused Downtown Parking Workshop held at the Historical Society Hall. The purpose of the workshop was to present the opportunity for residents, business owners, and other community members to express local issues, concerns, and ideas regarding parking availability in the Downtown area. 15. On August 14, 2012, RBF Consulting presented the Draft Comprehensive Downtown Strategic Parking Plan at a special joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission, during which time, Council Members and Commissioners provided input on the draft plan. 16. On October 24, 2012, a special joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Commission was held during which time the commissioners made final comments on the report and adopted Resolution Nos. 12-2362 PC (Attachment "C") and PSC 12-0008 (Attachment "D"), recommending approval of the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan. ANALYSIS: Over three years ago, in response to feedback received from residents and business owners, the City Council directed staff to evaluate parking needs in the Downtown area. In October, 2009, Avant Garde undertook a limited Downtown parking study that uncovered several issues. Most notably, the study revealed that Temple City's Downtown Specific Plan area's roots of development date back more than 50 years. The building and zoning codes during this history have not adequately addressed the modern parking and transportation needs of the new businesses, many of them restaurants, now located in Temple City. Therefore, on-site parking and other transportation improvements are not adequately providing for the current employee and customer vehicle parking and transportation needs. Additionally, in some areas, the parking issue has expanded beyond the business and commercial areas and has spilled over into some residential neighborhoods. Temple City is currently pursuing economic development opportunities in several areas of the City, and there is a potential that new businesses and development could result in the intensification of uses and parking in the downtown area. Such parking problems can become a deterrent to economic development in Temple City. Based on these parking concerns, staff implemented a two-step strategy to address real and perceived parking shortages. The first step involved identifying immediate opportunities to increase parking capacity in Downtown. The second step involved commissioning a comprehensive parking study that would identify longer-term solutions to Downtown Temple City's parking supply. City Council November 20, 2012 Page 4 Based on this strategy, staff has already implemented short-term solutions to alleviate resident and business -owner concerns over parking capacity, such as: creating resident -only parking in certain neighborhoods; restriping City parking lots to more efficiently allocate parking spaces in conjunction with revised parking codes; and installing 2 -hour parking time limits in some Downtown parking lots. The Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan, prepared by RBF Consulting provides a broad vision and a toolbox or menu of strategies and actions to improve parking conditions in Temple City's downtown area. The Plan recommends improvements and policies to increase available parking, decrease the need for an automobile, and develop more visibility of parking opportunities for residents, employees and visitors. Furthermore, the Plan has identified three phases to implement a variety of parking recommendations. Each phase has been derived from community input, existing conditions and estimated future parking demand. The three phases are: Phase 1 Short -Term Strategic Parking Recommendations Provides 17 recommendations that can be immediately implemented to alleviate parking shortages in the Downtown area. These strategies are generally low-cost solutions that utilize existing resources and reduce inefficiencies in existing parking infrastructure. Among the short-term recommendations are to: establish tour bus parking areas and permit program; revise parking standards; review striping of existing parking lots; test removal of parking stall delineations painted on roadway on Las Tunas Drive; implement pedestrian scale safety measures at all City parking lots; and install bicycle racks; Phase 2 Near -Term Strategic Parking Recommendations Provides 11 recommendations that can be implemented in the coming years to alleviate parking shortages in the Downtown area. These strategies, in general, have a longer lead time than Phase 1 recommendations and have mid-range costs. Among the near-term recommendations are to: implement demand - responsive parking pricing for on -and -off-street parking; establish a pilot shuttle program focused on high ridership using a simple non -circuitous route connecting major destinations; utilize technology to convey parking availability and special events guidance; consider locations for partial or full closure on side streets off major commercial corridors; and implement the parklet concept as a demonstration project; and Phase 3 Long -Term Strategic Parking Recommendations Provides four recommendations that can be planned and implemented over several years to alleviate parking shortages in the Downtown area. These City Council November 20, 2012 Page 5 strategies tend to be bigger -ticket items that would require greater evaluation by the City to assess needs and weigh benefits against costs. The long-term recommendations are to: consider constructing additional parking in western Downtown; acquire available or vacant properties for additional parking supply; consider constructing a parking structure in Downtown; and evaluate optimal use of pavement on Las Tunas Drive. Implementation These phases provide the City with a toolbox of options that will guide implementation of the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan and are designed to provide flexibility in implementation based on available opportunities and funding sources. Additionally, other concepts may be added to each of the implementation phases as priorities are refined or partnerships with public/private stakeholders occur. The Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan is a "living document" that can be adjusted to meet the future needs of the City. City staff will perform an annual parking count to allow for continuous monitoring of parking supply and demand in Downtown and select toolbox strategies that are appropriate for future conditions. As specific projects progress, the City Council will provide staff with guidance to implement measures that will optimize Downtown parking to foster the City's strategy for economic development. See the attached fact sheet (Attachment "E") with a summary of all toolbox strategies. Funding The Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan also includes cost estimates of the improvements and a wide array of potential funding sources. The Plan identifies four categories of funding options: Options Affecting Customers, such as event surcharges and on -street parking fees; Options Affecting Businesses and Property Owners, such as the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID); Options Affecting Developers, such as in -lieu fees; and Options Affecting the General Public, such as revenue bonds and State & Federal grants. Next Steps — Las Tunas Project The upcoming Las Tunas Drive Project will incorporate several of the Plan's recommendations including: the installation of bike racks to provide for parking for alternate modes of transportation; improvements to pedestrian facilities to encourage active transportation; and better use of landscaping and street furnishings to create a "sense of place". The Las Tunas Drive Project allows the City to pursue grant funding opportunities to implement the recommendations in the Plan. Other aspects of the plan have already begun being implemented. The City Council has approved the purchase of the vacant property at 5800 Temple City Boulevard to build additional parking capacity, and a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Fixed Route Transit System has been released, with proposals due on November 30, 2012. City Council November 20, 2012 Page 6 After a presentation by RBF and any public comments, the City Council is requested to review and approve the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan. Upon approval of the Plan, all improvement strategies will undergo thorough staff and engineering review to determine areas of highest priority and greatest feasibility. CONCLUSION: The Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan plays an integral role in planned Downtown improvements and incorporates strategies from other recent citywide studies. The RBF Consulting team has carefully integrated their recommendations with the Downtown Specific Plan, the Bicycle Master Plan, the Rosemead Boulevard Beautification Project, and the Traffic Calming Master Plan. Working in conjunction, these plans will make Temple City a destination for shopping and dining and will build the City's reputation as a bicycle -and -pedestrian -friendly environment. The coordination of these projects will improve the quality of life for Temple City residents and businesses for generations to come. FISCAL IMPACT: Adoption of the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan will not cause immediate fiscal impact upon the City's budget. Implementation of specific Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan measures will be coordinated with other Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), such as Safe Routes to School (SR2S), the Bicycle Master Plan, street resurfacing projects, and the Las Tunas Enhancement Project. The City has already been awarded SR2S and Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) grants, and will be pursuing other grants to fund future infrastructure improvements. ATTACHMENTS: A. Draft Resolution No. 12-4873 B. Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan C. Planning Commission Resolution No. 12-2362 PC D. Public Safety Commission Resolution No. PSC 12-0008 E. Parking Strategic Plan - Fact Sheet ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. 12-4873 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN iI U WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan (the "Plan") is consistent with the Temple City Downtown Specific Plan and complies with the 2011 California Complete Streets Act; and WHEREAS, on October 24, 2012, the Public Safety Commission of the City of Temple City and Planning Commission of the City of Temple City held a special joint meeting at which they received a presentation on the Plan and adopted, respectively, Resolution No. PSC 12-0008 and Resolution No. recommending that the City Council approve the Plan; and WHEREAS, on November 6, 2012, the City Council was presented with the Plan and took public testimony regarding the Plan; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that residents, business owners and persons who patronize businesses in the City may be impacted by parking congestion in the downtown area and there is a need to improve parking in that area for the benefit of said residents, business owners, and persons who patronize businesses in that area; and WHEREAS, the Plan includes goals, policies, and actions to guide implementation of Downtown parking improvements as well as maps identifying existing and potential new parking facilities; and WHEREAS, the Plan includes a Downtown parking improvements list, cost estimates of the improvements, and a list of potential funding sources; and WHEREAS, adoption of the Plan does not commit the City to construct or undertake any of the proposed parking improvements but rather provides a general strategy for resolving the current parking issues in the City's downtown area; and WHEREAS, the proposed parking improvements are consistent with all local, state and federal regulations. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan is hereby adopted and shall be used by City Staff for the purpose of planning parking solutions for the downtown area; any parking - related projects shall be implemented only after approved by the City Council or, if appropriate, the Public Safety Commission and/or Planning Commission. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 6`" day of November 2012. MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY Resolution No. Page 2 ATTEST: CITY CLERK I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. , was duly passed, approved and adopted by the Public Safety Commission of the City of Temple City at a special meeting held on the 6th day of November 2012, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members - NOES: Council Members - ABSENT: Council Members - ABSTAIN: Council Members - CITY CLERK ATTACHMENT C RESOLUTION NO. 12-2362 PC A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THE COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan is consistent with the Temple City Downtown Specific Plan and complies with the 2011 California Complete Streets Act; and WHEREAS, the Public Safety Commission recognizes that residents, business owners and persons who patronize businesses in the City may be impacted by parking congestion; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes goals, policies, and actions to guide implementation of Downtown parking improvements; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes maps identifying existing and new parking facilities; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes a Downtown parking improvements list, cost estimates of the improvements, and a list of potential funding sources; and WHEREAS, The proposed parking improvements are consistent with all local, state and federal regulations. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Recommends that the City Council Adopt the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan as may be modified through the public and Commission input. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 24`h day of October 2012. CHAIRMAN ATTEST: MANAGEMENT ANALYST I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 12-2362 PC, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Temple City at a special meeting held on the 24'h day of October 2012, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner - NOES: Commissioner - ABSENT: Commissioner - ABSTAIN: Commissioner - MANAGEMENT ANALYST RESOLUTION NO. PSC 12-0008 A RESOLUTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THE COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan is consistent with the Temple City Downtown Specific Plan and complies with the 2011 California Complete Streets Act; and WHEREAS, the Public Safety Commission recognizes that residents, business owners and persons who patronize businesses in the City may be impacted by parking congestion; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes goals, policies, and actions to guide implementation of Downtown parking improvements; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes maps identifying existing and new parking facilities; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan includes a Downtown parking improvements list, cost estimates of the improvements, and a list of potential funding sources; and WHEREAS, The proposed parking improvements are consistent with all local, state and federal regulations. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Recommends that the City Council Adopt the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategic Plan as may be modified through the public and Commission input. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 24th day of October 2012. WIF-1fC7�&f 1 ATTEST: MANAGEMENT ANALYST I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. PSC 12-0008, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the Public Safety Commission of the City of Temple City at a special meeting held on the 24th day of October 2012, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner - NOES: Commissioner - ABSENT: Commissioner - ABSTAIN: Commissioner - MANAGEMENT ANALYST ATTACHMENT E PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN - FACT SHEET The City of Temple City initiated a study and strategic plan to evaluate parking conditions within the Downtown. The plan commenced in Fall 2011, and was completed in Fall 2012. Guidance for City staff implementation is based on technical analysis, public input, and coordination with the elected and appointed officials. The strategic plan provides phased recommendations (short-term, near-term, and long-term) to provide guidance for City staff to implement over time and as need occurs. The recommendations combine multiple concepts covering policy, program, and physical changes that can be facilitated by City staff and the local business community with coordination with residents in the Downtown area. The table below summarizes the recommendations by phase as identified within the larger strategic plan. Summary of Parking Strategic Plan Recommendations by Phase Short -Term Strategic Recommendations 1. Establish tour bus parking areas and permit program. 2. Revise parking standards. 3. Empower Business Improvement District (BID) to lease private parking, and allow shared parking between businesses/properties. 4. Review striping of existing parking lots. Relocate mailbox from Primrose Avenue Parking Lot to street edge where on -street parking is already prohibited. 5. Test angle parking on Temple City Boulevard either north of or south of Las Tunas Drive. Test back -in angle parking for better operation with bicycle activity. I6. Test removal of parking stall delineations painted on roadway on Las Tunas Drive. 7. Collect parking duration data (frequency of car turnover) to determine how best to refine time restrictions. 8. Brand each parking lot uniquely, and update Downtown Parking Map. Provide informational kiosks illustrating location of parking areas. I9. Designate employee parking Areas, and Develop Incentive/Promotional Campaigns to Effect Change. 10. Implement pedestrian scale safety measures at all City Parking Lots. 11. Establish a subcommittee of elected and appointed community members, business owners, and residents focused on Downtown Parking Management. 12. Revise in -lieu fee program for business payment into program. 13. Test Valet Parking for Downtown Restaurants. 14. Install bicycle racks. 15. Increase pedestrian walkways between parking lots and Las Tunas. [PbnT 16. Coordinate with businesses to establish pedestrian walking routes Downtown catered to topics such as history, art, and/or health. 17. Pursue grant and funding opportunities to implement measures identified in Near -Term and Long - Term recommendations. Near -Term Strategic Recommendations 18. Implement demand -responsive parking pricing for on- and off-street parking. Use latest technology system. 19. Implement TDM Program. 20. Coordinate with private entities for public parking during peak times at TCUSD Lot, and Ralphs Lot. 21. Establish pilot shuttle program focused on high ridership using a simple non -circuitous route connecting major destinations such as Rosemead Boulevard with Downtown. I22. Implement bike corral demonstration project. I23. Employ a Residential Parking Permit Program. 24. Use efficient license plate reading technology. 25. Support Downtown arts program at City lots. 26. Utilize technology to convey parking availability and special events guidance. 27. Consider locations for partial or full closure on side streets off major commercial corridors. 28. Implement parklet concept as a demonstration project. Long -Term Strategic Recommendations I29. Consider constructing additional parking in western Downtown. 30. Acquire available or vacant properties for additional parking supply (e.g. Mortuary, former Alpha Beta site). 31. Consider constructing parking structure in Downtown. 32. Evaluate optimal use of pavement on Las Tunas Drive. It should be noted that based on community input, City priorities, and availability of funding opportunities, the recommendations could shift into an earlier or later phase as needed. For more information, please contact the Community Development Department at (626) 285-2171. The full report can be viewed on the Temple City website, www.templecitv.us.