PRESENTER: Presenter
Mary Hamann, Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider a recommendation to City Council to restrict parking around the landscaped islands on the outside edges of Main Plaza.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff received a request from the Parks and Recreation Department to restrict parking around the landscaped islands on the outside edges of Main Plaza. The attached photo shows vehicles parked along the landscaped islands in the west side of Main Plaza, obstructing the flow of traffic in these areas as well as preventing the Parks employees from accessing the landscaping and downtown public restrooms to perform cleaning and maintenance. This parking around the landscaped island on the west side of Main Plaza has also been a concern from business owners downtown, per the Economic and Community Development Coordinator.
Engineering staff reached out to the Police Department to confirm that this request for restricted parking was not already covered under an existing ordinance. The Police Department did confirm this and requested that the parking restriction be extended to all four landscaped islands around Main Plaza to avoid confusion for drivers on where parking is allowed.
Because Main Plaza is on the TxDOT system, staff reached out to TxDOT with the proposed parking restriction; TxDOT does not have any concerns.
ISSUE:
Proposed parking restriction around the landscaped islands on the outside edges of Main Plaza to ensure safety and accessibility in these areas for the drivers utilizing the angled parking and Parks employees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2021 approved streets and drainage budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends creating no parking zones around the outside edges of the landscaped islands on the outside of Main Plaza.