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Title:
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Establishment of Controlled Vehicular Parking Program for the Commerce Center Project
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Title
Establishment of Controlled Vehicular Parking Program for the Commerce Center Project
Explanation
The Commerce Center Project located immediately east of City Hall consists of the Commerce Building (60,000 square feet) and 46 high quality residential units. This project is a cooperative effort between the City of Gainesville, Community Redevelopment Agency and AMJ, Inc.
A major component of this project is to provide the necessary parking for the office and residential uses. In order to help meet the parking demand a controlled vehicular parking program is envisioned. The objectives of a controlled vehicular parking program are to reduce hazardous traffic conditions, protect areas from excessive noise, protect residences/businesses from unreasonable burdens in gaining access to their residence/business, preserve the character of the area, preserve property values, preserve safety of children and pedestrians, promote traffic safety, clean air and the comfort, health, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants of the City. The controlled vehicular parking program will eliminate daytime commuter parking on the City-maintained streets adjacent to the Commerce Center Project. This will facilitate parking for residents and businesses of the area. The City streets that will be in the controlled vehicular parking area are NE 1st Avenue - 400 and 500 blocks; NE 2nd Avenue - 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks; NE 4th Street - 100 block; NE 3rd Street - unit and 100 blocks; and NE 5th Street - unit and 100 blocks.
In order for an area to qualify for a controlled vehicular parking program it must meet one of the following criteria:
1. The number of vehicles parked or standing, legally or illegally, on the City street(s) in the proposed area during a designated time period and days of the week is equal to 50 percent or more of the legal on street parking capacity of the area.
2. Proposed development/redevelopment within the area is predicted to utilize 50 percent or more of the legal on-street parking capacity of the area during the designated time period and days of the week.
The Public Works Department conducted a parking survey of the proposed area on Friday, May 28, 1999 and Tuesday, June 1, 1999. The number of vehicles parked on the streets equaled 76% of the available parking. Thus, the proposed area qualifies for a controlled parking program. The Public Works Department has done a mail-out ballot of the property owners in and adjacent to the proposed area. The results are still pending.
After a public hearing, the City Commission may designate an area as a controlled vehicular parking area. In reaching its decision, the City Commission shall consider the findings of the study of the proposed area, the recommendation of the City Manager, the results of a vote of the property owners in the proposed area, and any other information the City Commission finds relevant.
The controlled vehicular parking area will be implemented as the buildings are open for occupancy The Public Works Department will be responsible for installing the necessary signs and administering the program.
Fiscal note
The cost of the parking decals for the controlled parking program is established by City Code. The decal cost is $15 for the first vehicle and $5 for each additional vehicle registered by the same owner.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) conduct a public hearing on the establishment of a controlled vehicular parking program for the Commerce Center Project; 2) receive the results of the mail-out ballot; 3) approve a controlled vehicular parking program for the City streets adjacent to the Commerce Center Project; and 4) direct the City Manager to implement the controlled vehicular parking program at the appropriate time.