City Traffic Engineer Mark Miller stated this request came from the resident/property manager of the Vine Apartments located at 1321 South Vine Avenue. The property manager requested the City install 25 feet of green curb "15 minute parking" and add 20 feet of blue curb "Disabled Persons parking" in front of 1321 South Vine Avenue. This was in attempt to obtain a space on the street for short-term visitor parking and for disabled persons parking. South Vine Avenue is a short residential cul-de-sac with a curb to curb width of 36 feet fronted on both sides with commercial properties at the entrance to the street and multi-family units at the end of the cul-de-sac. On street parking is available for approximately eight vehicles in front of the apartment complex. However, overnight parking is not permitted on South Vine Avenue. The Fullerton Municipal Code Section 8.44.120 states that painted green curb "15 minute parking" shall not apply during the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. During the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the location would revert to unrestricted parking with the exception to the 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. overnight parking restriction. Head in parking at the end of the cul-de-sac is not permitted according to Section 22502(a) of the California Vehicle Code.
A parking study was done during a period of two days and during that time staff observed an average of four vehicles parked at the end of the cul-de-sac. This would indicate that on average there was a fifty-percent availability of parking spaces during the time the study was conducted. The availability of on street parking in front of the apartment would indicate that parking is available for prospective tenant parking within the cul-de-sac. Staff is not opposed to approve the request for green curb at this location if the green curb is painted in front of the office.
With regard to the request for sidewalk access ramps and blue curb, current access ramp funding for fiscal year 1997/98 has already been appropriated. City policy is to install access ramps on curb returns and at alley access where there is a high demand for use. The City investigated the request and placed the request on the list according to its priority status. Because there is no existing disabled persons access to the sidewalk and the property, staff is unable to support this request at this time. When access ramps are installed, staff would support the request for blue curb.
Chairman Hawkins asked if there was on-site visitor parking for the apartment complex. City Traffic Engineer Miller stated he did not notice any other on-site visitor parking except for this location. Chairman Hawkins also asked if there was disabled access into the complex from the sidewalk. City Traffic Engineer Miller stated there is sidewalk into the complex but there is nothing from the street surface onto the curbs.
Public Comment was open.
Julius Feldman, Resident/Manager of the Vine Apartments, 1321 South Vine Avenue, stated his complex has 98 units and has adequate parking for their tenants. Mr. Feldman stated he requested the entire cul-de-sac be limited to 15-minute parking. Mr. Feldman stated this parking would not infringe upon any of their neighbors because they have their own parking. There is no assigned parking within the complex and no convenient guest parking.
Commissioner French asked how many disabled tenants there are in the complex. Mr. Feldman stated there is one plus himself. Commissioner French asked how have they been supplying parking for the disabled. Mr. Feldman stated they do have a designated space for the one disabled which is close to her apartment but many times there is no parking for Mr. Feldman in the apartment complex. Commissioner DiCostanzo asked where the main office is located. Mr. Feldman stated the office is located in the cul-de-sac area of 1321 South Vine Avenue. Mr. Feldman stated it is very difficult to park around the cul-de-sac curve.
Public Comment was closed.
Chairman Hawkins asked about the enforcement in the cul-de-sac. Lt. Burks stated this is handled on a complaint basis only unless the police department identifies there is a problem. Lt. Burks stated management could enforce parking in the complex. He also stated Parking Control Officers do not work the weekends. Chairman Hawkins reminded Mr. Feldman that the green curb is not enforceable from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
After a brief discussion, Vice-Chairman Hardwick then made a motion to accept staff's recommendation with the amendment that there is adequate parking for two vehicles at a location to be determined by the Engineering Department and property owner/manager. Commissioner French seconded the motion and it passed unanimously (7-0).
