03-04-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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opened, they allowed the public safety department to allow limited access for the first two years, then recognized a safety concern for their residents as traffic was allowed through their lot and their residents were seated near the lot for the parade. In 2017, Gracewood management asked public safety staff to close their lot and only allow through-access for emergencies. In 2018, public safety staff had the same agreement with Gracewood. This closure resulted in an increased number of complaints, including an upset resident who lived within the closed area. After an exchange with public safety staff, the resident created his own detour over traffic cones, through the parade route and over a curb to get to his home. This event resulted in an unsafe act and a criminal charge for reckless driving. Because there isn’t a safe access point at this point, public safety staff is concerned that the problems will continue if a safe access point isn’t established. Because of this, staff has three possible options to address this matter and is seeking Council direction. Option #1 – Make no changes and continue in the same manner as past years. Option #2 – Adjust the end of the parade route to 79th St. rather than ending at James St. This would shorten the parade route by approximately 1,100 feet. If the parade route ended at 79th St., residents from within the closure would be allowed limited access to/from their neighborhood from Kelly St. by traveling north on Lake Dr. to James, then east on James to Main. Challenges of this option: - This option would create a need to limit parking for parade goers to only one side of 79th St, Marilyn Dr., and 77th St., west of Lake Dr. These residential streets have historically been primary parking areas for many who come to enjoy the parade. Staff foresees a traffic/parking concern with this plan which would push more parking of vehicles further into our neighborhoods and result in a longer walk for parade-goers. - The responsibility of posting no parking signs in advance would fall on Public Services Department. Enforcement during the event would be on the Public Safety Department. - There would likely be an increase in traffic volume on the residential streets and neighborhoods along 79th St., Marilyn, and 77th St. by adding the floats to these areas. Benefits of this option: - Parade floats and parade participants would have a means of returning to the point of parade origin without having to walk the parade route back along Lake Dr. - Residents from the neighborhoods east of Lake Dr. throughout the parade route closure would have access to/from their neighborhoods, on the north end of the parade. Due to public safety concerns, access to/from Kelly St. would have to be limited to residents and LL Business Expo vendors only and access would be regulated and directed by public safety personnel.