Submitted By
Emily Egan, Development Services Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendation to Expand Street Frontage Locations for Overnight On-Street Permit Parking in Zones Y1 and Y2
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Overview
Overview
At its March 11, 2024 meeting, the Transportation Commission unanimously supported the staff’s recommendation to expand street frontage locations for overnight on-street permit parking in zones Y1 and Y2. The recommendation intends to improve access for existing permit holders and the number of permits available for issuance will not increase.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the motion.
Background
Village staff has received repeated complaints from existing Y1 and Y2 permit holders indicating routine difficulty finding a parking space in their respective zones within a reasonable walking distance from their residence. Pursuant to the Village Board’s adopted goal of vibrant, diverse, connected neighborhoods, staff was directed to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2023 expansion to select overnight on-street parking permit zones to determine if overnight parking access has improved for residents, particularly those in multi-family dwellings, and consider if additional overnight parking access is possible within the operation of the overall parking system.
Consequently, staff requested the Transportation Commission review staff’s recommendation to expand street frontage locations for overnight on-street permit parking in Zones Y1 and Y2 as follows. A map depicting the recommended additional overnight permitted street frontages is also attached to this agenda item.
Zone Y1
• East side of the 100 block of N. Oak Park Ave. (156 N. Oak Park Ave. to Ontario St.)
• South side of the 700 block of Ontario St. (east of the south alley to Euclid Ave.)
• North side of the 700 block of Erie St. (east of the north alley to Euclid Ave.)
• East side of the 300 block of N. Oak Park Ave. (between 308-316 N. Oak Park Ave.)
Zone Y2
• South side of the 1000 block of Pleasant St. (between 1033-1045 Pleasant St.)
• North side of the 1000 block of Pleasant St. (between 1014-1034 Pleasant St.)
Expanding parking in these zones would result in approximately 36 additional parking spaces in Zone Y1 and 17 parking spaces in Zone Y2. The number of overnight on-street permits issued by the Village will not change.
In its formulation of these recommendations, Parking Division staff collaborated with the Engineering and Street Services divisions to ensure that the addition of overnight on-street permit parking on these street frontages would not have adverse effects from a traffic or street maintenance perspective.
On February 26, 2024, staff mailed correspondence to residents adjacent to the proposed additional permitted street frontages, informing them of the staff recommendation. The mailing also provided instructions on how to submit public testimony, either in writing or in person, to be heard by the Transportation Commission. The correspondence included a map detailing the existing street frontages within the respective overnight zone, along with the staff’s recommended additional street frontages. The documentation reviewed by the Transportation Commission, including all public testimony received before the meeting, is attached.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact. The recommended motion, if approved, will not result in the issuance or sale of additional overnight on-street parking permits in Zones Y1 and Y2. The motion only expands the street frontages on which permit holders can park.
DEI Impact
This recommendation, if approved, would improve access to overnight permit parking for residents who do not have a garage or access to other private parking options.
Alternatives
Staff recommends approval of the motion to concur with staff’s recommendation and the unanimous approval by the Transportation Commission. Alternatives to this include:
1. Deny the motion.
a. Advantages:
i. Potential reduction in parking congestion; and
ii. Potential (long-term) reduction in gasoline vehicle ownership among Oak Park residents.
b. Disadvantages:
i. Potential decrease in resident satisfaction related to public parking services; and
ii. Potential for continued non-compliance with permit regulations due to residents being unable to find a parking space within a reasonable distance from their home. This could result in residents receiving parking citations.
iii. Additional staff time needed to review resident comments and find alternatives to balance parking supply and demand in these areas.
2. Revise the motion to propose alternative street frontage locations.
a. Advantages:
i. Potential for even more improved access for existing permit holders.
b. Disadvantages:
i. The recommended expanded street frontages to be designated as permit parking are allowable under the Village Code. Any revisions could prompt the need for an amendment to the Village Code section pertaining to overnight on-street permit parking.
3. The Village Board could remand the motion back to the Transportation Commission for further deliberation.
a. Advantages:
i. Additional deliberation, at the request of the Village Board, has the potential to result in even more improved access for existing permit holders.
b. Disadvantages:
i. The Transportation Commission unanimously approved the staff’s recommendation; and
ii. This action would delay any improved access for existing permit holders; and
iii. This would require additional staff time to review and find other ways to respond to resident comments and concerns.
Previous Board Action
On February 14, 2022, during a special study session, the Village Board reviewed a series of recommendations from the Transportation Commission about the expansion of policies tested in the Village’s 2019 Parking Pilot Program. The recommendation to analyze existing overnight on-street permit parking to improve access for permit holders was remanded back to the Transportation Commission. Subsequently, over the course of six (6) meetings throughout 2022, the Commission evaluated the overnight on-street permit parking system, considering staff’s recommendations while also making a concerted effort to solicit public feedback. Ultimately, the Commission recommended revisions to seven (7) of the 17 total overnight on-street permit zones with the intent of improving access to overnight permit parking. These revisions were formally approved by the Village Board through its adoption of ORD 23-23 on March 20, 2023.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
At its March 11, 2024 meeting, the Transportation Commission unanimously approved the recommendation to expand street frontage locations for overnight on-street permit parking in zones Y1 and Y2.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Staff continuously reviews parking operations to identify opportunities for improvement and address issues as they arise.
Additionally, pursuant to the Village Board’s goal of vibrant, diverse, connected neighborhoods, staff was directed to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2023 expansion to select overnight on-street parking permit zones to determine if overnight parking access has improved for residents, particularly those in multi-family dwellings, and consider if additional overnight parking access is possible within the operation of the overall parking system. While this motion, if approved, would improve parking access in Zones Y1 and Y2, staff intends to prepare a more comprehensive analysis of overnight parking at a future date.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A