Tuesday, July 23, 2013

South Brand Study Results

The South Brand Boulevard Preferential Parking Study is part of a two and a half year effort to resolve on-street parking issues in the South Brand Boulevard neighborhood. This neighborhood is approximately bound by the south side of Colorado Street, the west side of Glendale Avenue, the north side of San Fernando Road and the east side of Central Avenue.

The primary goal of this effort was to create a comprehensive set of parking solutions for the neighborhood and effectively respond to increasing concerns from area residents regarding the availability of on-street parking. In community meetings there were contrasting opinions and competing interests from local residents and businesses on how to institute a preferential parking program for the South Brand Boulevard area. However, local residents and businesses agreed that the existing guest parking permit program needs to be modified to limit abuse, and both groups agreed that more enforcement is needed to maintain the overall effectiveness of the Preferential Parking Program. No major objections were raised by residents or businesses in regards to district-based preferential parking. 

The study analyzed parking conditions in the neighborhood, surveyed local businesses on employee parking habits and solicited public input at over two dozen community meetings.

The following provisions were implemented based on the public's feedback:
  • Establish 8 parking districts in the South Brand Boulevard neighborhood, each approximately 4 blocks wide by 4 blocks long 
  • Price preferential parking permits accordingly to allow for proper administration and enforcement of program 
  • Modify and simplify preferential parking regulations 
  • Simplify the approval process for preferential parking by reducing the petition threshold to approve permit parking on a residential street from 75% to 66% 
  • Limit the number of permits per household to three permits and institute daily-use guest parking permits to reduce guest permit abuse 
  • Allow non-residents to park on resident permit streets on based on availability
The ordinance strikes a balance between the interests of both businesses and residents in the area, minimizing complaints about the accessibility of on-street parking spaces for residents while maintaining the availability of parking spaces on public streets for nearby businesses. In addition, once a petition is received the permit restrictions are approved administratively, removing the Transportation & Parking Commission from the approval process, reducing the amount of time it takes to get permit streets approved.

For more information about the program please visit the City’s website or contact Michael Nilsson, Mobility Planner.