TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Removal of Church Street SE, between Mission Street SE and the south end of the Pringle Creek Bridge, from the Paid Parking Plan.
Ward(s): 2
Councilor(s): Andersen
Neighborhood(s): SCAN
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council remove both sides of Church Street SE, between Mission Street SE and the south end of the Pringle Creek Bridge, from the adopted Capitol Mall Parking Technology Project, and cease the planned installation of parking meters in this area?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Remove both sides of Church Street SE, between Mission Street SE and the south end of the Pringle Creek Bridge, from the adopted Capitol Mall Parking Technology Project, and cease the planned installation of the parking meters in this area.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
In 2013, City Council adopted recommendations developed by the Parking Task Force that included expansion of the existing Capitol Mall Paid Parking Area; the expansion area was also updated in the Salem Transportation System Plan. The area of Church Street SE between the Pringle Creek Bridge and Mission Street SE was included in the 2013 Paid Parking Expansion Area (Attachment 1). Implementation of the Phase III on-street parking new technology project is currently underway, which includes outreach to those impacted or adjacent to any planned modifications to the on-street parking system. Due to the change on the east side of Church Street SE for 20 parking spaces from currently being free parking with no time regulations to paid parking, concerns were raised by residents on Church Street SE regarding potential impacts such changes would have to their neighborhood and on-street parking options.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
In early 2017, neighbors asked staff to implement 3-hour free parking on the east side of Church Street SE. The existing unlimited free parking was being used as employee parking with no turn-over for visitors to the adjacent playground. At that time, installation of meters was not scheduled due to funding limitations. Staff began the notification process by getting recommendations from neighbors, SCAN, and the Salem Hospital. Prior to posting public notice on the Church Street SE, funding for the parking meters became available. The west side of Church Street SE is currently designated as a 90-minute Residential Parking District.
If Council approves the staff recommendation, staff will initiate the Citizen Advisory Traffic Commission (CATC) process to review and approve the proposed 3-hour time restrictions suggested by the neighbors. The CATC protocol for public notice includes posting the location. The neighborhood association and the adjacent property owners have already been notified of the time limit proposal and have expressed their support.
Attachment:
1. Site Map