PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR VEHICLES OVER SIX FEET IN HEIGHT

 

Recommendation :

It is recommended that the City Council approve and adopt the attached resolution entitled " a resolution of the city council of the city of hermosa beach authorizing the use of parking restrictions within 100 feet of an intersection for vehicles that are six feet or more in height."

Background :

At its July 11, 2001, meeting, the Public Works Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution to authorize the use of parking restrictions within 100 feet of an intersection for vehicles that are six feet or more in height. The Commission had previously denied a request from residents to paint 120 feet of red curb on Gould Avenue at Porter Lane. One of the primary objectives of the red curb request was to prohibit recreational vehicles from parking on Gould and blocking visibility near this intersection.

The Commission decided that it would not be appropriate to completely eliminate parking in this area by painting red curb; however, staff was directed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a program by which high-profile vehicles (vehicles six feet or more in height) could be prohibited from parking at designated locations. If the attached resolution were to be adopted, selected intersections would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and signs would be installed at each specific location to notify motorists of the parking prohibition. The resolution would not result in a citywide parking prohibition for high-profile vehicles, as the restrictions would only apply to the specific locations where signs were in place. The primary objective of the parking prohibition would be to enhance safety by maintaining adequate visibility at intersections.

Analysis:

Locations have been identified in Hermosa Beach where the parking of recreational vehicles (RV’s), trucks, and other high-profile vehicles creates visibility restrictions at intersections and driveways. While State of California law, as presented in the California Vehicle Code, does not authorize cities to implement general parking restrictions for specific non-commercial vehicle types, such as RV’s, it does provide the opportunity for cities to prohibit the parking of large vehicles near intersections.

The Vehicle Code indicates that local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles that are six feet or more in height within 100 feet of any intersection. Such a restriction can be applicable during all or certain hours of the day and requires that signs or markings be installed to inform motorists of the restrictions. This strategy can be used to prohibit RV’s or other large vehicles from parking at a particular location while retaining parking for conventional passenger vehicles.

If the City Council were interested in pursuing a strategy for restricting high-profile vehicles from parking near intersections, the first step would be to establish a citywide policy by passing the attached resolution to codify the policy. After the policy is officially in place, then the parking restrictions could be applied to specific locations on a case-by-case basis. To inform motorists of the restrictions and render the restrictions enforceable, signs would have to be installed at each applicable location. For example, a sign could be installed at a distance of up to 100 feet from an intersection that states "No Parking for Vehicles 6 Feet or More in Height," with an arrow pointing toward the intersection to designate the restricted zone.

Such an ordinance would provide the flexibility for the City to impose parking restrictions at locations where visibility problems have been identified relative to high-profile vehicles. It would not establish a blanket parking prohibition at all intersections throughout the city for high-profile vehicles, but would provide the opportunity to apply parking restrictions at specific locations and for specified distances, up to 100 feet from an intersection. A primary advantage associated with this type of program is that large vehicles could be prohibited from parking at particular locations while parking spaces, in general, would not be eliminated from the parking inventory (which would occur if red curbs were to be installed).

Alternatives:

1. Approve the Public Works Commission recommendation and adopt the attached resolution to authorize the use of parking restrictions within 100 feet of an intersection for vehicles that are six feet or more in height.
2. Maintain status quo by not authorizing the use of parking restrictions for high-profile vehicles.

Fiscal Impact:

The cost of implementing a parking restriction program for high-profile vehicles cannot accurately be estimated because the number of applicable locations is unknown. Funds for the installation of any signs and markings are available under the current Operations and Maintenance budget of Street Maintenance.

 

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 01-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS WITHIN 100 FEET OF AN INTERSECTION FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE SIX FEET OR MORE IN HEIGHT

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, intends to continue to improve public convenience and safety, and

WHEREAS, there are locations within the City where the parking of large vehicles at or near intersections has resulted in restricted visibility and has been detrimental to safety,

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE THAT:

SECTION 1. The City of Hermosa Beach has the authority to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles that are six feet or more in height within 100 feet of any intersection.

SECTION 2. The Director of Public Works is authorized to install the appropriate signs and/or markings to designate the locations and inform motorists of any such parking restrictions.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 28TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2001.