Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/20/2009

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COI\IlVllTTEE BUSINESS Cnsc# 1; Consider Parking Restrictions on St. Francis Boulevard Fronhlgc RQad City Engineel' Jankowski stated that the City received a letter from one of the six property owners on the frontage renld that runs along St. Frunds Boulcvrlrd.Fk noted that the lettcr stated that, at times, when there was parking on both sides, it becon'lcs very nnrrow and becomcs ditl1cul t for ~l vehlele to pass. lIe statt:d that staff checked the roud and foui'ld it was only 20 feet wide, which is very narrow and they have concerns with the ability to get emergency vehicles in, as well as regular traftic to squeeze thl"Ough. He stated that the police department has indicated that they have not seen a lot of problems. He stated that, however, if there were a tire, it could be fought from TH 47, but it would not be desirable. He stated that he had contacted all 6 of the property owners letting them know that this was on the agenda. He stated that he received a phone call ti'om one of the residents who said, essentially, that they would like to see the situation remain as it is. He stated that staff is recommending resti:icting the parking on one side, but have a discussion with property ownerS first. Vice Chair Dehcn ~lskcd \.vhat would be the disudvantage to restricting the parking. City Engineer Jank()wski stuted th~lt the arguments are that it i::; very rare when it happens, so residents dicln' t see a public safety problem. At Kernpf, 15220 St. Francis Boulevard, stated thut he is the one who sent the letter to the City. He stated that with the road improvelnent project nearby, tc) bring a road through to the school, he expucts there to be additional traffic. on the front~lge road. He stated that once the improvement is done and the more traffic is traveling on a very mtrfow street, it would be tight. He stated that he generated the letter because of concerns about the future generation of tramc. Randy Touric, 15120 St. FrtU1cis Boukvard, stated that he is totally in favor of just restricting the parking to one side and noted that he was afraid that the parking would be totally restricted. , Vice Chair Dehen asked if there has been any opposition from the residents. City Engineer Jankowski stated that he has not beard from any others. Mayor Gurnee stated that there is not a lot Cl f traft1c in the area, and he doesn't think the frontage road will get a lot of the new traffic v,iith the new access to the school. He stated that the rOtld is really narrow and he would think fot' safet)' t'f.:)tlsons that the parking should be restricted to the residenti~ll side of the street. COI.mcilmember Olson stated thnt she agrees, even though it is a rare occasion when p('lrldng occurs em both sides, if an emergency ve;;:hicle had to get down then~, it wouldn't make a difference how rare it is and feels restricting parking is u reasonable option. Public Works Committee / November 18,2008 !luge 2 of 8