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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-108 - On-Street Parking - Mansion StJ KITC~~R De~elopment& Technical5ervrces REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: August 10, 2009 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning PREPARED BY: Cameron Bevers, Traffic Technician (741-2369) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Bridgeport-Centre DATE OF REPORT: July 10, 2009 REPORT NO.: DTS-09-108 SUBJECT: ON-STREET PARKING -MANSION STREET RECOMMENDATIONS: That on-street parking be prohibited from January 1St to March 31St of each year on the east side of Mansion Street from a point 77 metres north of Ellen Street East to Lancaster Street East; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: Transportation Planning has received a request from a local resident to review the existing on- street parking regulations on Mansion Street between Ellen Street East and Lancaster Street East. Currently, on-street parking is prohibited at anytime on the west side of Mansion Street from Ellen Street East to Lancaster Street East. On-street parking is permitted on the east side of Mansion Street from a point 77 metres north of Ellen Street East to Lancaster Street East for a maximum of two (2) consecutive hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is permitted for a maximum of three (3) consecutive hours at all other times, as outlined in the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2007-138. Mansion Street is designated as a local road and has a roadway width of approximately 6.5 metres. The presence of snow banks reduces the effective width of the roadway during the winter months, which leaves less space on the road in which to safely accommodate two-way traffic, in addition to on-street parking. According to the resident, some Mansion Street homeowners experience difficulties accessing their own driveways due to vehicles parked on the street during the winter months. The resident also expressed concerns about the general lack of snow 2-1 clearing on the street due to chronic on-street parking and the potential risk of emergency response vehicles being prevented from accessing the street, due to the presence of parked vehicles on Mansion Street. REPORT: In order to address this request, Transportation Planning mailed a survey to each household on Mansion Street in early 2009, requesting feedback from residents on a proposal to introduce a winter parking prohibition on Mansion Street from January 1St to March 31St each year. The majority of the residents responding to this survey were in favour of revising the parking regulations to prohibit parking during the winter months. Out of the 58 responses received, 48 households (or 83%) were in favour of the proposal to prohibit on-street parking on Mansion Street during the winter months. The following summary outlines the results of the survey: Questionnaires delivered: 122 In favour of winter parking prohibition 48 (83% of responses) Opposed to winter parking prohibition 8 (14% of responses) Requested Permit Only Parking/Snow Loadin~ 2 (3% of responses TOTAL 58 (48% of residents responded) Two Mansion Street residents requested that other options be considered to address the problem of vehicles parking on the street during the winter. One resident requested that a Permit Only Parking system be introduced on Mansion Street, so that the on-street parking spaces could be reserved for use by residents and their guests only. Council is advised, however, that Transportation Planning does not recommend the introduction of a Permit Only Parking system on Mansion Street. In terms of on-street parking during the winter months, the presence of any vehicles parked on the street could cause operational and snow clearing problems, regardless of whether the vehicles are owned by the residents or by others. Another resident specifically requested the City to increase the frequency of snow loading on the street as a solution, so that on-street parking could still be accommodated in the winter months. While the provision of additional snow loading operations would certainly be the most desirable way to accommodate more on-street parking in neighbourhoods, it is essential to note that snow loading operations are very expensive for the City's Operations Department. In addition, it is not always possible to schedule snow loading operations on minor streets in severe winters, due to the demands placed on equipment and staff to clear the more critical major streets after a snow event. Consequently, the consideration of additional snow loading operations does not guarantee than on-street parking problems will not occur in winter. COMMUNICATIONS: All residents of Mansion Street have been notified in writing of the proposed parking regulation changes. Residents have also been notified of the DTS meeting date. 2-2 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The approximate cost for sign installation on the street will be $400. These funds will be procured from the existing sign maintenance budget. CB Attach. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager Development and Technical Services Department 2-3 T~~ - ~ f~TF~~E~T VIII r ~, _~ " ~"~ '~ ry~ 4 ~~ i ~r~~~~ ~~~~ ~~rl~lr~ ~r~ ~~'t~ ~1r1~ 1" ~~~It1r ~n ~ '~~ ~~~ 9, ,~. ~; ~ b .. f ~ ~i 1 r ~~.~ ..~ ~~ RN "'~° ~,~, 2-4