HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-1-07 15thStreet No Parking City Council
Date: May 1, 2007
REGULAR
Item: 4
Motion
ITEM: Consider removal of the recently posted ‘no parking’ signs put
up on 15th
Street from Ivy Avenue to the eastern terminus (but not
the hammerhead)
SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Stempski, P.E.
REVIEWED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
Mike Bouthilet, Public Works Superintendent
____________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The city council is being asked to consider the
future of ‘no parking’ restrictions recently posted on 15th Street from Ivy Avenue to the
eastern terminus while continuing to enforce the ‘no parking’ along the hammerhead.
This does not include the signs that were posted at the very end of the street some
time ago. The signs were apparently originally posted due to some complaints. However,
after reviewing the street, the street’s width and the volume of on street parking, the
staff recommends that the signs be removed. They can always be replaced at a future
date if studies of parking problems on this street identify a need for no parking.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
At the October 3, 2006, the city council approved parking restrictions on this section
of 15th Street in response to some complaints. (Not parking study was done prior to
this action). In a follow up to this action, the staff installed “No Parking” signs at the
end of March, 2007.
At the April 3, 2007 City Council Meeting, several residents along 15th Street stated
their belief that there was no need for parking restrictions along this area of 15th. They
also believed that it created aesthetic problems.
A review of this situation revealed the following:
• The bituminous width of 15th Street is 24 feet with grassed shoulders ranging
from approximately 2 to 6 feet in width.
• This street section can generally accommodate parked vehicles on both sides of the
street while maintaining emergency vehicle access.
• The County Park Reserve does not discourage the parking along 15th Street.
• The bituminous “hammerhead” turnaround at the eastern terminus was previously
restricted parking and should remain “No Parking” to facilitate emergency vehicle
turning movements and public works maintenance activities.
OPTIONS:
1. Determine that the street conditions and on street parking conditions do not
create a threat to public health and safety and, therefore, approve the removal
of the signs by moving to revoke Ordinance No. 97-181, relating to Section
1005.04 (1) (Parking Prohibited on 15th Street to Ivy Avenue) to the Lake
Elmo Municipal Code, but continue to enforce the previously existing “No
Parking” signs for the bituminous “hammerhead” turnaround at the eastern
terminus.
2. Do a full fledged parking study of the on street parking to determine if there is
heavy parking along this area that creates a potential threat to public health and
safety.
3. Determine that conditions on this area of 15th Street may create a possible
threat to public health and safety and continue to enforce the no parking
restrictions in Ordinance No. 97-181, relating to Section 1005.04 (1).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the no parking signs be removed and not replaced unless a parking
study is completed including a survey of surrounding residents and that a public safety
issue be identified.
Suggested motion for consideration:
Motion: Move to revoke ordinance 97-181 that prohibits parking on 15th Street to Ivy
Avenue and direct the staff to remove the ‘no parking ‘ signs in this area, but to leave
the already existing no parking signs in the hammerhead area.
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
• Introduction Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
• Report Ryan Stempski, Assistant City
Engineer
• Questions to staff Mayor and Councilmembers
• Questions from the public, if any
(up to 3 minutes) Mayor facilitates
• Discussion Mayor and Councilmembers
• Consider motion City Council
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 15th Street resident letter dated April 13, 2007 with map.