PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend Article VII, Section 126-381 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to include paid parking on weekends and holidays from May 1- Labor Day on Fair Lane by River Acres Park, and to amend Section 126-346 (f) to include a no parking tow away zone on Fair Lane to reserve space for emergency access.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
River Acres Park is located along Fair Lane. The proposed ordinance revision will add paid parking on Fair Lane that will charge non-residents $20 on weekends and holidays, but be free for all residents with a Resident River Parking Pass.
A minimum of 17 parallel parking spaces can be striped on Fair Lane next to River Acres Park. There will be a reserved zone to preserve access to the park for emergency response. A map of the proposed layout is attached. Peak overuse of the park occurs on weekends and holidays between May 1st- Labor Day, which is the proposed time frame to charge a parking fee. In 2024 there are 40 weekend days and holidays between May 1st and Labor Day. A fee of $20 per space is proposed to make the fee high enough to deter out of town visitors looking for a free location, to create availability for residents to park for free. ParkMobile will be used to collect non-resident parking fees.
The Communications team has developed a plan to inform residents and guests of these changes prior to the start of the summer season.
ISSUE:
City staff has been looking for ways to create more opportunities for residents to access River Acres Park in light of the recent growth in popularity for these parks. Paid parking around the Comal River has expanded over the last few years, which has inadvertently pushed non-resident visitors to River Acres parks due to the free access.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Parking revenue is estimated assuming that each parking space is paid once per day for the 40 days that the parking fee would be applied in 2024. If this assumption occurs, then $13,600 is expected to be collected in revenue. This additional revenue will be deposited into the River Activities Fund.
New signs and striping costs are estimated to be $4,000 which can be absorbed by the River Activities Fund operating budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
The River Advisory Committee review the proposed ordinance changes on January 18, 2024, and unanimously recommended the proposed ordinance for approval.
City staff recommends the ordinance revision for approval.