Title:
Title
(Pass for Publication) Ordinance Amending Section 10.36.130(C) of the Sacramento City Code, Relating to Passenger Loading and Unloading Zones
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-00312
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
1) Review an Ordinance amending Section 10.36.130(C) of the Sacramento City Code Relating to Passenger Loading and Unloading Zones; and 2) pass for publication the ordinance title per Sacramento City Charter Article III, Section 32(c) for adoption on April 9, 2019.
Contact: Erika Galang, Program Specialist (916) 808-8572; Matt Eierman, Parking Services Manager (916) 808-5849, Department of Public Works
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Redline)
3-Ordinance (Clean)
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Sacramento City Code Section 10.36.130(C) limits the stopping, standing or parking at passenger loading and unloading zones to no more than five minutes. However, at locations where passengers may require more time to be assisted, such as at medical or child care facilities, five minutes may not be sufficient to safely load or unload passengers. Passenger loading and unloading zones are demarcated by white paint on the curb. The hours and days of enforcement are dependent upon the hours of operation of the businesses where the white curb zones are located.
California Vehicle Code Section 21458(a)(3) authorizes specification of time limits at passenger loading and unloading zones by local ordinance. Amending Section 10.36.130(C) to provide the flexibility for designation of appropriate time limits at specific locations will support local businesses who service individuals who may require extra mobility assistance. Time limits shall not exceed 15 minutes to prevent the use of these spaces for anything other than the immediate loading or unloading of passengers and provide the turnover needed to allow other vehicles to utilize the space for the purposes of loading and unloading.
Staff recommends amending Section 10.36.130(C) to continue limiting stopping, standing or parking at passenger loading or unloading zones to five minutes, unless posted signs or markings otherwise reflect a time limit that does not exceed 15 minutes.
Policy Considerations: This recommendation is consistent with the goal of the City Council to achieve sustainability and enhance livability.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable
Environmental Considerations: This is an administrative activity that is not considered a project as defined by Section 15378(b)(2) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Therefore, no environmental review is required.
Sustainability: This action supports the City of Sacramento’s sustainability goals to improve and optimize the transportation infrastructure.
Commission/Committee Action: None
Rationale for Recommendation: Providing appropriate time limits at passenger loading and unloading zones promotes traffic safety and will continue to facilitate parking turnover at these spaces. Maintaining the standard five-minute time limit will allow current regulations to continue where appropriate while allowing adjustments up to a fifteen-minute time limit at any locations as necessary. This will reduce the need to expend City resources that will otherwise be required to update all passenger loading and unloading zones city-wide with markings or postings. City resources will instead be focused on zones where an increase to the time limit is approved. Written requests relating to the installation or removal of curb marking, and time limit adjustments to existing passenger loading and unloading zones, will continue to be directed to the Department of Public Works, Parking Services Division.
Financial Considerations: Costs will be limited to the posting of signage. This includes pipe installation, sign fabrication and labor. The cost to post each sign is approximately $250. Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2018/19 Department of Public Works, Parking Services Division (General Fund, Fund 1001) operating budget to post any signs resulting from this ordinance. Funding in future fiscal years is dependent upon availability of funding in the applicable fiscal year.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable