Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Development Customer Service Director
Agenda Item Title
Title
Presentation and discussion of recommendations to establish a Parking Pilot Area comprised of Harlem Ave. to Oak Park Ave. & South Blvd. to Harrison St.
End
Overview
Overview
At the July 10, 2017 Village Board Special Meeting, the Village Board asked the Transportation Commission to consider a Pilot Area in order to test simplifying parking restrictions. Staff will present recommendation for such simplified restrictions and the Transportation Commission public review and feedback. Unless directed otherwise by consensus of the Village Board, a second study session will be proposed in June which would be in advance of consideration of an Ordinance creating the Pilot Area as part of a Regular Meeting in July. Subject to approval of the Ordinance, the Pilot Area would be established in October 2018.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
It is recommended a second study session be held in June in advance of consideration of an Ordinance creating the Pilot Area as part of a Regular Meeting in July. Subject to approval of the Ordinance, the Pilot Area would be established in October 2018.
Staff recommends an initial 6 month pilot and to report back to the Village Board with changes. Once the program has been categorized as successful, to evaluate other areas that the pilot program rules could apply to.
October 2018: Begin Parking Pilot Program
February 2019: Review changes to Pilot Program
September 2019: End Pilot Program and decide to keep or revert the ordinance
January 2020: Propose rules for other areas
Body
Report
The Village Board Goals for 2016-2017 include revisiting the overall parking systems within Oak Park in a holistic manner and with consideration for neighborhoods and business districts in order to understand the impact on residents, visitors and employees in the community. As a part of the study, staff will review the recommended goals for this review and a proposed schedule.
The following Guiding Principles that were established for review of the public parking system:
• Sustainability
• Public Safety
• Customer Service
Additionally, the following Goals were established for review of the public parking system:
• Parking Ordinances must be simple and user friendly (e.g. language is clear and concise)
• Parking Signage of all types must be standardized and more streamlined so that residents, visitors and employees in Oak Park are able to understand regulatory language that may be required and directional information is clear and concise.
• Parking Technology must support efficient parking administration and operation while also being customer service focused.
After the July 10, 2017 Village Board Special Meeting, where the Board asked the Transportation Commission and Consultant Dixon Resources Unlimited to review a Pilot Area for a comprehensive review of the parking restrictions to determine if there were improvements that could be made in a comprehensive manner. The Transportation Commission immediately began working with staff and consultant Dixon Resources Unlimited to determine the parking options that would help improve the parking experience in the Village of Oak Park. The idea of Odd/Even parking was significantly studied. Due to strong opposition from parkers who believe moving their car daily is a burden, personally and to the environment, the Transportation Commission looked at an additional concept known as the 72-hour rule. The community reaction was negative about both of these concepts, therefore, staff, the Transportation Commission, and consultant began working on a concept which closely kept the Village’s existing rules but allowed for simplification and efficiencies. Most importantly the new set of recommended rules attempted to make the life of an Oak Park parker easier, while making the process of providing Village services on streets a more efficient process.
The Village Board held the following special meetings on the parking study:
Study Session 1 - January 2017: Pleasant Business District/South and Harlem Redevelopment Project/Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, including Recommendations from the Transportation Commission Related to On-Street Resident Parking
Study Session 2 - February 2017: Parking Technology Best Practices.
Study Session 3 - March 2017: Parking Signage Recommendations.
Study Session 4 - May 2017: On-Street Parking Austin Blvd & Harlem Avenue, Including Adjacent Areas.
Study Session 5 - July 2017: On-Street Parking North Avenue and Roosevelt Road, Including Adjacent Areas.
The Village Board approved the following agenda items pertaining to the parking study:
June 19, 2017: A Motion to Amend the 2017 Work Plan for Transportation Commission to Include “Conduct Public Meetings for the Comprehensive Parking Study, Identify Community Needs and Develop Recommendations within the Approved Timeline in Conjunction with the Parking Consultant and Village Staff for Consideration by the Village Board”
June 19, 2017: A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited to Provide Parking Support Services for the Village-Wide Parking Study in a Total Amount not to Exceed
The Transportation Commission held the following meetings on the parking pilot program:
June 26, 2017: Introduction of Village-Wide Parking Study Consultant, Dixon Resources Unlimited
July 24, 2017: Update on the Village Wide Parking Study, Parking Near Transit (CTA & Metra Lines)
August 22, 2017: Open Parking Forums with Public and Consultant at Village Hall
-Over 30 Guests, Sharing Their Opinion on General Parking Problems in the Village Of Oak Park
August 23, 2017: Open Parking Forums with Public and Consultant at Village Hall
-Over 30 Guests, Sharing Their Opinion on General Parking Problems in the Village Of Oak Park
August 28, 2017: Discussion on the Village Wide Parking Study, Parking Near Transit (CTA & Metra Lines)
September 25, 2017: Update and On-Going Discussion of Parking Study
October 23, 2017: Update and On-Going Discussion of Parking Study
November 9, 2017: Parking Pilot Public Forum
-Presentation of Odd/Even Parking Concept and 72-Hour Rule
-Over 320 Guests in attendance during 2 Sessions
November 27, 2017: Review and Discussion of Proposed Parking Pilot
January 8, 2018: Review and Discussion of Proposed Parking Pilot Program
January 29, 2018: 2nd Parking Pilot Public Forum
-Presentation of New Standardization Parking Concept
-Over 140 Guests in Attendance during 1 Session
February 12, 2018: Review and Discussion of Proposed Parking Pilot Program
February 26, 2018: Final Staff Recommendation on Parking Pilot Program
April 23, 2018: Parking Pilot Program (Continued From February 26, 2018 Meeting)
April 30, 2018: Parking Pilot Program (Continued From April 23, 2018 Meeting)
Alternatives
N/A