19 Staff Report - Status Report on Downtown Parking Management Plan
DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT APRIL 28, 2004 DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE: 05/03/04 I9 SUBJECT: ACCEPT STATUS
REPORT ONDOWNTOWNPARKlNGMANAGEMENT PLAN, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF FOR ONGOING IlvIPLEMENTATION. RECOMMENDATION: Accept status report and staffs direction on Downtown Parking Management
Plan, and/or provide .additional direction to staff for future ongoing implementation. BACKGROUND: The Parking Management Plan (PMP) adopted by Council in December 2001, is a comprehensive
plan that was developed to address the issues related to parking adequacy ofthe commercial parking supply in downtown Los Gatos. The plan, developed by consulting firm KAKU and Associates,
expanded the scope of analysis as compared to previous studies, to incorporate and balance the concerns ofbusinesses, visitors and residents in meeting specific parking demands and needs.
The study provided an analysis of existing conditions of all available parking locations in the defined area and the focus was on realistic, long-term solutions based on the magnitude
of any parking shortages. None ofthe recommendations put forth in a previous study that incorporated paid parking solutions (i.e., meters, parking structure, parking charges) were found
favorable and none were implemented. CoUncil's direction for the KAKU study was to maintain free parking for visitors in all public parking spaces. PREPARED BY: SCOTT R. SEAMAN Chief
of Police Reviewed by: Town Manager Attorney __Clerk SQ::ffnance __Community Development Revised: 4/30/04 10:42 am Reformatted: 5/30/02
PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: ACCEPT STATUS REPORT ONDOWNTOWNPARKINGMANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 28, 2004 With input from the residential and business community, Los Gatos High School,
the Parking Commission and Town staff, KAKU and Associates provided a detailed analysis and recommended measures to address parking deficiencies. The plan included three phases: 1) implementation
of a comprehensive Parking Management Plan; 2) expansion and reconfiguration of the VerizonlPost Office lots and Lot 6; and, 3) modification ofthe Town Code to allow certain property
owners to lease or rent approved excess parking spaces. Staff has fully implemented one parking zone, completed segments ofphases one and two and continues to wdrk on project components
and modifications as directed by Council. On going evaluation and community input provided the opportunity to consider adjustments, analyze feedback and make appropriate changes to the
parking plan. DISCUSSION: The following discussion will update Council on major elements ofthe Parking Management Plan progress to date, current projects, Council directives, and future
options to consider for the PMP. On September 3, 2003, Council gave direction to staffto further explore andprepare recommendations on projects included in the following discussion.
·Staff is involved in communication and field studies with the Palo Alto and Menlo Park parking authorities to enhance the Town's endeavors in planning and to learn from their evaluations
of similar parking projects. The parking program is facing staff reductions of two parking control officers in the proposed 2004/05 budget. Significant efforts are being made to reduce
expenses in other areas ofthe parking budget including, supply and equipment expenditures, overtime, and the holiday valet program. Parking citation revenue projections are expected
to remain at the 2003/04 fiscal year level. A. Progress to date 1. Parking Permits Employee parking permits are a key element of the PMP. Permits were implemented and available January
2003, for the employees working in the Olive Zone. The development of this project involved new software, training, developing policies and procedures, designing permits and communicating
with the business community. Fees for construction parking permits have also been recently implemented. Previously, construction parking permits were issued at no charge to independent
contractors for construction proj ects downtown. Theparking ofmultiple construction vehicles, and at times for a duration oDO days or more, reduced parking availability for visitors.
2. Implementation of the Olive Zone The Olive Zone has been in operation since January 2003. The program has been evaluated, and is receiving positive feedback from the businesses while
achieving the parking objectives of the zone. The zone concept ofnot allowing return parking received some criticism and has been a concern of Council. These incidents have been minimal
and are reviewed on a case to case basis. Evaluation demonstrates that the parking issues unique to this area have been successfully resolved and critical parking problems have been
mitigated. While staff has considered removing the Olive Zone designation for this area and thus allowing return
PAGE 3 SUBJECT: ACCEPT STATUS REPORTONDOWNTOWNPARKINGMANAGEMENTPLAN APRIL 28, 2004 visits, feedback from citizens, businesses and the Transportation
and Parking Commission supports continuing with the Olive Zone as is. 3. Implementation of new residential parking districts and addition ofstreets to existing permit districts Bella
Vista Avenue and Jackson Street are residential areas that were. added as a part of the PMP proposal. Residents at 254-262 East Main Street petitioned for permit parking and this locationwas
added. The locations that were added to existing parking districts are Almendra Ave. between Tait and Massol, Bachman Avenue from Tait to Massol, and West Main Street . from Lyndon to
Bayview. 4. Completed the construction of the South Side lot (formerly Bus Depot Lot) and improvements on the North Side Lot The South Side Lot was redesigned for 17 spaces and work
included resurfacing, curbs, landscaping, new signs and lighting. Improvements to the North Side Side Lot and South Side· Lot were completed and the lots were made available for public
parking by August 2003. 5. Increased parking inventory on public lots and downtown streets The downtown parking inventoryhas been increasedby approximately 75 spaces. The added... spaces
were achieved by recovering-improperly and inefficiently marked spaces, painting, curbs, moving handicap stalls, improving signage, lot reconfiguration and leasing the Verizon property.
6. Holiday Valet Parking The 2003 holiday valet program concluded this year with a 50% increase in valet utilization over 2002. The program has been successful in providing additional
parking for employees and shoppers during the holiday season and also provided support to the business community with the "Shop Los Gatos" promotion. Data was also gathered on parking
lot utilization of all the municipal lots. B. Current Projects 1. Montebello Lot construction and lease commencement Staff negotiated and completed lease agreements with Verizon, U.S.
Postal Service and ,Toll/Opera House amendments and obtainedPUC approval for the Montebello Parking Lot. The lot was redesigned and 28 spaces were added. Construction was completed bymid
April 2004. Lease commencement with Verizon and the U.S. Postal Service will begin May 1, 2004 which coincides with the time the lot will be ready for public use. 2. Residential parking
permit locations The following streets or locations were approved byCouncil to be included in parking permit districts. These areas were to be implemented with the'proposed Zone Parking
Plan because all the sign'S could be replaced with all the new regulations at the same time. Since the Zone Parking Plan is still under consideration for a future phased implementation,
the residents
PAGE 4 SUBJECT: ACCEPT-ST.ATUS REPO'RT ONDOWNTOWNPARKlNGMANAGEMENTPLAN. APRIL 28,2004 have requested the following parking pennit locations be completed.
Implementation is underway and/or completed for the following areas: 1. Villa Avenue (from Jackson to 162 Villa) 2. West MainStreet (from2:35 West Main to Bayview) 3. Montebello Home
Owners Association ( Six condos at 135 West Main) 3. Way-Finding/slgilagelconsistency To accomplish the way-finding goals, Council directed staffto provide clear direction to all doWntown
parking 'lots with a clear understanding of parking regulations. The Town Manager's Office, Engineering and Parking Departments are working together in preparing conceptual designs and
layout for a signage plan to accomplish these goals. Base maps have been prepared and all existing lot identification and directional signs have been plotted. Field studies will be conducted
for new sign locations then reviewed by a selected focus group for their input on concepts and clarity. To test the design and layout concepts, Lot 1 (between Highway 9and Baclu.1J.an
Ave.) will be designed first and presented to a variety of stakeholders for review and comments. Project completion is expected during the fall of 2004. As a continuation of way-finding'
to provide clarity and consIstency, a residential pennit district sign plan layout will be prepared. The plan will have all the signs consistent with 2 hour parking, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.,
except by permit and penntt parking only 9 P.M. to 6 A.M. Base maps will be prepared to layout the locations of all the residential pennit districts and sign locations and then followed
up by a construction plan. Staff is intending to move forward on this elemep.t ofthe PMP independent ofthe time line to implemeIit :Zones in the downtown. Sign and curb clarification
involves replaCing missing signs, poles, adding signs where needed, and painting curbs for various regulations. Through this process, clarification is given to regulatory signs and parking
inventory is increased with proper signing; reconfigunng and. identifying parking spaces. Curbs have been painted to add or change 30 minute zones and loading zones. Staffis also considering
developing signs or kiosk type displays that could include maps with a "you are here" mapping concept, incorporating specific locations, businesses and parking lots. This would enhance
visitor Way finding and the Town's economic vitality efforts to promote the business community. C. Parking Management Plan components in study for future consideration 1. Employee Parking
Permits in the downtown core Only the Olive Zone has employee pennits in place. Employee pennits have been available since January 2003. The program has received favorable feedback from
the businesses in this zone and downtownbusinesses have requested employee pertnits. Recommendations and planning are underway in consideration of expanding employee pennit parking to
the downtown core. Under such a program, pennits would be valid in designated spaces in lots 1,2,3,4, and 6. Further study is underway to define the number of spaces and a plan for the
PAGES SUBJECT: ACCEPT STATUS REPORT ONDOWNTOWNPARKINGMANAGEMENTPLAN APRIL 28, 2004 optimum pennit program, which could be a possible alternative
to the zones. Staff is sensitive, however, to implementing this system if the business community would find it a negative feature at this time given the current business climate. 2.
Utilization of private parking lots Staffviews private lots as a possible parking resource for other business lease use or use by visitors with specified signage and pennission. A parking
lot space count and matrix is currently being compiled and the data will be analyzed. Staff continues to explore alternatives for this resource. We have been approached by business owners
asking if the Townwould be receptive to their providing valet parking by using private or public lots. The request is underreview. 3. Other alternative parking permit concepts Staff
is evaluating one day parking pennits or a frequent visitor pennit for a yearly fee to purchase for unlimited parking downtown. These pennits would be available to visitors and could
be purchased at the Police Department, Town Hall, and possibly at the Chamber of Commerce. This concept is utilized in Palo Alto where a daily parking pennit costs $15 a day. This offers
an alternative parking solution for all day parking. Staff will continue to develop this concept. 7. Concepts to enhance economic vitality Other concepts staffhas had on a list to explore,
include small shuttles to transport citizens from the outlying lots and the strategic use ofvalet parking during special events and during peak impact times. The West Valley Cities are
interested in exploring small shuttles in combination with the VTA. The Town may want to wait for that process to get underway. Valet and shuttles could be explored as possible ways
to enhance convenience to visitors and employees during the 200512006 repaving project. CONCLUSION: Staffcontinues to assess downtown parking issues with direction from
the Town Council in ensuring that parking options are consistent with the Parking Management Plan and include adjustments as necessary to achieve the plan's goals. Staffhas completed
the majorityofparking lot reconfiguration and upgrades; with additional work to be calendared for Lot 6. Responding to both Council direction and business and community input, staff
does not plan to proceed with implementation of the remaining zones in the downtown core at this time. Council directed that implementation of any zones during the 2003 holiday season
be deferred due to the ongoing effects ofthe economic climate and the possibility ofstaffreductions to the program. Unless otherwise directed, it is our assumption that it is Council's
desire to continue deferral until parking demand warrants its reconsideration. In the meantime, staff has initiated a way finding project and is continuing to explore an employee pennit
program which would not be dependent upon the implementation ofa zone system. Staffwill continue to implement changes to sigri regulation consistency. Staff requests Council direction
regarding continuing the implementation of the zone concept and on implementation of the other elements discussed in this report.
PAGE 6 SUBJECT: ACCEPT STATUS REPORT ONDOWNTOWNPARKINGMANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 28, 2004 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: The Parking management Project is
a projbct as defined underCEQAbubs statutorily exempt under Section 15262. Ofthe State Environmental Guidelines, as adopted by the Town. A Notice of Exemption will be filed. FISCAL IMPACt:
Each project listed in this report has a budgeted sourceoffunds which has been approved by Council or will be included for approval in the 2004-05 proposed operating budget and capital
improvement project budgets. These sources include Redevelopment Agency Funds for appropriate operating and capital costs and the Parking Fund as supplemented by the General Fund. Distribution:
General cc: Phil Johnson, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Ronee Nassi, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Transportation and parking Commission