CITY OF KING

DOWNTOWN PARKING RESTRICTIONS

 Background

 The King City Municipal Code currently contains parking restrictions applicable to the downtown core area on Broadway Street and many of the side streets, although the side streets included are inconsistent.  The City has not historically implemented any program for enforcement.  In addition, no signage exists on Broadway Street at this time.  The signage on the side streets is old and faded and needs to be replaced.

 Hartnell College has requested consideration of eliminating the restricted parking on Second Street and Third Street from Broadway Street to Lynn Street to allow for students to park in the area of the satellite campus during class times.  The City also periodically receives complaints about the lack of parking for businesses on Broadway Street.  Therefore, the City has been considering the potential for installing signage and establishing a parking enforcement program for Broadway Street.

 City staff have identified a number of options for consideration.  Any changes will require City Council adoption of an ordinance.  City staff are interested in receiving input from the Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and businesses on these streets prior to presenting a recommendation to the City Council for consideration.  A summary of current restrictions and options is presented below.

 Current Downtown Parking Restrictions

 Parking is currently restricted to 2 hours in the following locations with the exeption of Sundays and holidays: 

• Broadway Street between First Street to Russ Street 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Second Street between Broadway Street to Lynn Street 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Third Street between Bassett Street to Lynn Street 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Vanderhurst Avenue between Bassett Street to Lynn Street 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Bassett Street between Second Street to Vanderhurst Avenue 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Bassett Street between First Street to Second Street 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the exception of Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Russ Street between Broadway Street to a point 150 feet south 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

There is also a 10 minute parking restriction on Third Street between Bassett Street and 78 feet north during all hours. 

Option #1

Description: Install signage and establish enforcement of 2-hour parking restrictions on Broadway Street from First Street to either Russ Street (current end of parking restrictions) or to San Lorenzo Avenue (end of streetscape project and defined area of the downtown core). Rescind and remove parking restrictions on side streets.

Advantages: 

• Will create more parking for customers on Broadway Street in front of downtown businesses for customers.
• Will establish parking enforcement to achieve consistent compliance.
• Will free up parking on side streets for students and employees.
• Will establish more consistency in parking restrictions on the side streets in the downtown area.
• Would be relatively easy to try out the elimination of parking restrictions on the side streets and later change if problems were experienced. The poles on the side streets could be maintained after the signs were removed until it was determined the changes were permanent.  Since the signs need to be replaced anyway, it would not be an additional cost if it was later decided to reinstitute restrictions and order new signs. 

Disadvantages: 

• Will require the City to purchase new technology and dedicate staff for parking enforcement because the old process of marking tires is no longer legal for jurisdictions.
• Enforcement may result in complaints and upset visitors to the City and downtown area who receive a citation.
• May impact parking for businesses located on the side streets. 

Option #2 

Description:  Install signage and establish enforcement of 2-hour parking restrictions on Broadway Street from First Street to either Russ Street or San Lorenzo Avenue.  Change parking on side streets to a 3 or 4 hour limit.

Advantages: