TITLE: Title
Presentation of the Parking Study Recommendations
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board of Aldermen to receive a presentation on the updated findings and associated recommendations as a precursor to adopting the document as a Parking Plan.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Bergen Watterson, 919-918-7329, bwatterson@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:bwatterson@townofcarrboro.org>; Trish McGuire, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>; Tina Moon, 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>
INFORMATION: Since the initiation of the parking study in November 2015, the Board has received three presentations on the project. Timothy Tresohlay, with VHB Engineering, provided a report of the initial findings from the field data collection on April 5, 2016; <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2680871&GUID=9551606F-2BC8-4B39-AB0B-8C8C9BB5AF9E&Options=&Search=>Town staff provided a general update on June 15, 2016 <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2763176&GUID=F1139C80-1ABE-4F08-9B11-EEB646E6BDF8&Options=&Search=>; and Mr. Tresohlay provided a presentation on draft recommendations on November 15, 2016 <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2882404&GUID=5872FCAD-D99B-4215-8317-1A4BD692EDCB&Options=&Search=>. Prior to finalizing the study findings into a Parking Plan, staff wanted to provide the Board with an opportunity to review the revised report and associated recommendations for input and comment. Staff presented the findings to the Carrboro Business Alliance at its meeting on January 31, 2017. The Board may wish to refer the document to the advisory boards for input and comment as well.
The study report contains detailed data on current parking supply and demand, including occupancy rates for all parking lots in Town and length of stay and turnover rates for public lots and incorporates projections to determine future parking supply and demand based on development projects that are approved but not yet completed. Among other findings, the data analysis revealed the following:
• The existing parking is sufficient to support the current demand in the downtown, and will for at least the next ten years.
• The development and implementation of a management plan will more likely yield the desired result of mitigating the existing parking supply, particularly during the peak hour strain for centrally located public lots.
• Examples of recommended management strategies include:
o Facilitating a shared parking system between public and private sector,
o Installing clear and consistent regulatory and wayfinding signage, and
o Lighting and sidewalk improvements in study area.
The parking study report, including and outline of the process, public involvement, data collection, findings, and recommendations is provided (Attachment B).
A resolution (Attachment A) is provided that refers the materials to the advisory boards and sets a public hearing to consider adopting the Parking Plan--the study report with its finding and recommendations--for the end of March.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving this presentation.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Board of Aldermen receive the presentation, refer the document to the Advisory Boards and set a public hearing on March 28th, 2017 to consider adopting the plan.