Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
CM/ ACM: John Cabrales, Jr.
Date: December 6, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas prohibiting parking on opposite sides of McCormick Street from Underwood Street to Margie Street; providing a repealer clause; providing a savings clause; providing for a penalty not to exceed $500 for violations of this ordinance; providing that violations of this ordinance shall be governed by Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton; and providing for an effective date. The Traffic Safety Commission recommends Option 1 (5-0).
Body
BACKGROUND
Fire Station Number 3, located at 1204 McCormick Street, has expressed the need for a no parking restriction on both sides of McCormick Street. Due to the narrowness of the street and the regular on-street parking that occurs on both the east and west side of McCormick Street from Underwood Street to Margie Street, there is an inadequate amount of space for emergency vehicles to travel down McCormick Street. In order to improve response time efficiency and allow for the safe navigation of McCormick Street by emergency vehicles, it is recommended the affected area of McCormick Street be designated a no parking zone. (Exhibit 1, Location Map).
McCormick Street is an asphalt street with concrete curb and gutter in certain areas of the street segment and no curb and gutter in other areas of the identified street segment. McCormick Street from Margie Street to Underwood Street has a width less than 24 feet from face of curb to face of curb with locations in the identified segment only 21 feet from face of curb to face of curb. Development on the east and west side of McCormick Street consists of leased and owner occupied single family homes. Because this section of McCormick Street is within a quarter mile of the University of North Texas, there is substantial student parking experienced (Exhibit 2, On-Street Parking Conditions - McCormick Street), with frequent City of Denton Code violations.
Current City of Denton International Fire Code Amendments sets fire access road widths, Sec. D103.6.1 (Exhibit 3, International Fire Code) states, “Fire apparatus access roads 20 to 26 feet wide (6096 to 7925 mm) shall be posted on both sides as a fire lane.” Additionally, Sec. 503.2.1 (Exhibit 4, City of Denton Code of Ordinance) of the International Fire Code states, “Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm)…”
In order to establish the no park zone on McCormick, staff initiated the designation process. Correspondence letters (Exhibit 5, Letter Notice) were sent to 14 physical addresses and 13 owner billing addresses on October 12, 2016 announcing the proposed restriction as well as the scheduled November 7, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission meeting. On October 24, 2016 door hangers (Exhibit 6, Door Hanger Notice) were distributed to each building on McCormick Street reminding the residents about the proposal and upcoming meeting for November 7, 2016. Two citizens attended the Traffic Safety Commission meeting and spoke in support and one citizen sent an email in opposition to the recommended parking restriction. The Traffic and Safety Commission approved the recommendation of the parting restriction on both sides of McCormick St.
STAFF CONSIDERATIONS
Due to the narrowness of the street and the ongoing violations of on-street parking relative to required distances from stop signs and drive ways, there are safety issues that warrant consideration of a no parking zone on McCormick Street between Margie Street and Underwood Street. This issue is compounded as there is a limited number of City staff available to enforce the violations impeding on the safety of residents and visitors. Additionally, partial blockage of driveways is a violation and inconvenience to the residents of the various properties.
Because the average width of McCormick Street between Margie Street and Underwood Street is 23 feet, and the issues noted by Denton Fire Department concerning the safe navigation of this street segment, staff proposes restricting the east and west side of the McCormick Street between Margie Street and Underwood Street per the International Fire Code Sec. 503.2.1 as adopted by the City of Denton Code of Ordinances, Sec. 29-1. Allowing parking on one side would not meet the requirements set forth in the Fire Code that requires a minimum of 26 to allow parking on one side.
OPTIONS
1. Approve the ordinance for a no parking restriction any time for the east and west side of McCormick Street from Underwood Street to Margie Street.
2. Deny approval of the ordinance for a no parking restriction any time for the east and west side of McCormick Street from Underwood Street to Margie Street.
3. Provide staff with additional direction to address on-street parking on McCormick Street from Underwood Street to Margie Street.
RECOMMENDATION
The Traffic Safety Commission recommends, 5-0, to consider Option 1.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
If approved, the ordinance could be enforced 14 days after public notice was provided in the Denton Record Chronicle
PRIOR ACTION /REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
November 7, 2016 - The Traffic Safety Commission considered no parking restrictions on McCormick Street from Underwood to Margie Street and recommended approval of the City Council by a 5-0 vote.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Approximately $350 for requisite signs and associated labor.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan built on five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainable and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Safe, Liveable & Family-Friendly Community
Related Goal: 4.1 Enhance public safety in the community
EXHIBITS
1. Location Map
2. On-street parking conditions - McCormick Street
3. International Fire Code
4. City of Denton Code of Ordinance
5. Correspondence Letter
6. Door Hanger Notice
7. Traffic Safety Committee Minutes
8. Ordinance
Respectfully submitted:
Mark Nelson
Transportation Director
Prepared by:
John Chapman
CMO Intern