HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-139 - On-Street Parking - Kinzie AvenueREPORT
Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: 2008 September 8
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Cameron Bevers, Traffic Technician X741-2369}
Ward(s~ Involved: Chicopee-Grand River (2)
Date of Report: 2008 August 22
Report No.: DTS-08-139
Subject: ON-STREET PARKING - KINZIE AVENUE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That parking be prohibited at anytime on the west side of Kinzie Avenue between Thaler
Avenue and Burgetz Avenue; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Planning has recently completed a traffic calming review of Kinzie Avenue.
Through the public consultation phase of the traffic calming review, several residents expressed
concern about roadway and pedestrian safety on Kinzie Avenue between Thaler Avenue and
Burgetz Avenue due to the number of vehicles that are regularly parked on both sides of the
street.
At the present time, on-street parking is permitted on both sides of Kinzie Avenue between
Thaler Avenue and Burgetz Avenue for a maximum period of three (3) consecutive hours as
outlined in the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2007-138.
REPORT:
Several residents participating in the Kinzie Avenue traffic calming review process expressed an
interest in having on-street parking prohibited on one side of Kinzie Avenue between Thaler
Avenue and Burgetz Avenue. These residents indicated that the ongoing presence of parked
vehicles on both sides of the roadway was creating visibility problems for motorists and
pedestrians alike.
Transportation Planning conducted a review of the roadway and found that when on-street
parking occurs on both sides of Kinzie Avenue between Thaler Avenue and Burgetz Avenue, it
was difficult to maintain safe two-way traffic operations, as these parked vehicles restricted the
effective width of the roadway. Additionally, the presence of on-street parking on both sides of
the roadway impedes residential driveway access, restricts visibility for pedestrians crossing the
roadway, and could potentially delay response times for emergency vehicles. In the interest of
public safety, Transportation Planning is recommending that parking be prohibited at anytime on
the west side of Kinzie Avenue between Thaler Avenue and Burgett Avenue.
A letter was delivered to all residents whose properties fronted onto Kinzie Avenue between Thaler
Avenue and Burgett Avenue in May 2008. This letter indicated the location of the proposed
parking prohibition and invited all residents to provide their feedback about the proposal.
Transportation Planning did not receive any objections or comments from the affected residents.
This proposed parking prohibition would ensure a consistent approach to parking management
on Kinzie Avenue, by extending the no parking anytime zone that currently exists along the west
side of Kinzie Avenue between Weber Street and Thaler Avenue northerly to Burgett Avenue.
Allowing parking on one side of the street will help to facilitate access to residential driveways,
in addition to improving the two-way traffic operations on Kinzie Avenue. This recommended
revision will result in a loss of approximately five ~5) on-street parking spaces. Transportation
Planning does feel, however, that parking usage in this area can still be adequately
accommodated.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for signing the roadway is $500 including installation, and will be taken
from the existing sign maintenance budget.
John McBride, Director
Transportation Planning
Cameron Revers, Traffic Technician
Transportation Planning
CB
Attach.
Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Supervisor of Traffic & Parking
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Deveiopment&
Technical Services
ON-STREET PARKING
KINZIE AVENUE
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Proposed "No Parking Anytime" Location
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