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2015.05.14 Work Session Packet Memorandum DATE: May 14, 2015 TO: City Council FROM: Stephanie Revering, Police Chief Sarah Larson, West Metro Fire Chief Mark Ray, PE, Public Works Director SUBJECT: On street parking restrictions (not including snow emergencies) Summary Currently on-street parking is restricted on Crystal streets from 2am to 5am all year. The City Council has expressed the desire to discuss this restriction with staff. The restriction of on-street parking impacts many different people in different ways. While some may concern certain items as pros or cons, that categorization is generally very subjective depending on the individual. - Some residents feel that on street parking detracts from the image of the neighborhood. - No on street parking could reduce the ease with which car prowlers could check out vehicles and break in. - A vehicle parked on the street in voliation of the ordinance could be checked by police. Criminals that park vehicles on the street during their criminal actions could be discovered or identified because of the vehicle on the street. - Vehicles parked on the street provide places to hide for individuals up to no good. - For impaired drivers, vehicles parked on the street are just another thing to navigate around or crash into. - Unplanned large parties that may create a nuisance for neighbors may potentially be mitigated because the attendees cannot park vehicles on the street overnight without a special permit. - As a result of very snowy winters, City streets can get a bit narrower due to the snow bank creep. Depending on how vehicles are parked on the street (assuming they were allowed to), larger emergency vehicles (fire trucks, ambulances) may not be able to fit between the parked vehicles. - During the winter, plowing or de-icing trucks may be out addressing problem areas during the early morning hours. The parked vehicles reduce the truck’s ability to treat an entire area of concern. - For snow events that start late in the evening or during the overnight hours, the parking restriction means that residents will not be surprised if a snow emergency is called during the overnight hours. - Plows must maneuver around the parked vehicle on potentially slippery road conditions or adverse weather. This can be especially challenging on hills. - If a plow loses traction and slides down a hill, it is possible that they could come into contact with a parked vehicle. Not only is this additional damage the City responsible for, but the plow may be out of service for a while which means that City-wide plow operations will take longer. - On major City streets, the driver has to maneuver around parked vehicles while sharing the space with other drivers. - When vehicles are parked directly across from each other, it is sometimes impossible for plows to get through, even on flat residential streets. This is especially problematic on cul-de-sac streets where there is no other way to finish plowing the remainder of the street. - Even if a parked vehicle is easily maneuvered around during a snow event, snow is still left behind where the vehicle was. This remaining snow on the street poses a potential hazard for vehicles operating normally on the street after the parked vehicle has left. It also means that a plow truck has to make an otherwise not needed trip back to clean up the spot. - When the amount of snow is lower or the event occurs during the day, Staff can use the parking restriction as a next day cleanup tool. Other Cities Parking Regulations · Brooklyn Center – No parking on city streets between 2 am and 6 am year round. Vehicles may not be parked upon any City street for a continuous period of more than 4 hours year round. · Brooklyn Park - No parking on city streets between 2 am and 5 am from October 15 to April 15. Vehicles may not be parked upon any City street for a continuous period of more than 24 hours year round. · Golden Valley – No parking on city streets between midnight and 6 am from November 1 to March 31. Vehicles may not be parked upon any City street for a continuous period of more than 72 hours year round. · New Hope – No parking on city streets between 2 am and 6 am year round. Vehicles may not be parked upon any City street for a continuous period of more than 10 hours year round. · Plymouth - No parking on city streets between 2 am and 5 am year round vehicle must be moved after 12 hours · Robbinsdale – No parking on city streets for more than 4 hours between 2am to 6am year round. Vehicles may not be parked upon any City street for a continuous period of more than 6 hours year round. · Maple Grove: No parking 2am to 6am all year long. Vehicle must be moved after 4 hours. Recommended Action Discuss the on street parking regulations.