City Council
MEETING DATE: 10/14/2015
TITLE:
Title
Commercial Vehicle Loading Zone Designation on Date Palm Drive Fronting the Date Palm Plaza Shopping Center.
End
FROM:
John A. Corella, City Engineer
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council amend the previous 1988 Resolution No. 88-5 that established no parking regulations on Date Palm Drive (Gerald Ford Drive to 1,000 feet north of Converse Drive) with a new Resolution to establish a "15 Minute Commercial Vehicle Loading Zone" (yellow curb) designation on 60 feet of Date Palm Drive's east curb fronting Date Palm Plaza Shopping Center approximately 320 feet north of Converse Road.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On January 6, 1988, City Council adopted Resolution No. 88-5 establishing a “No Standing, Stopping or Parking Zone” on both the east and west sides of Date Palm Drive from Gerald Ford Drive to 1,000 feet north of Converse Road. After approval the curbs were then painted red along the designated area of Date Palm Drive.
Resolution No. 88-5 was established in accordance with Section 12.32.010 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
Resolution No. 88-5 was passed as a result of an increase in traffic along Date Palm Drive due to the addition of several retail/commercial centers in that immediate area. Patrons of these retail/commercial centers were having difficulties exiting the retail/commercial driveways due to line of site issues created by the parked cars along Date Palm Drive. Eliminating the parking along Date Palm resolved this issue.
Although the line of site issue was resolved, commercial delivery and unloading issues were created. With the elimination of on street parking, delivery vehicles either parked in the center isle of the retail/commercial parking lots, thus blocking in patrons for the duration of the unloading period or the delivery vehicles would park illegally along the red curb to deliver their goods.
DISCUSSION:
Recently the owner of Date Palm Plaza, located on the east side of Date Palm Drive north of Converse Road, 31033 Date Palm Drive, met with the Community Development Department Staff to submit plans for improvements to the commercial center's parking lot, which included improvements to accommodate oversized patron vehicles. In addition, the owner also met with the City Engineer to consider allowing loading zones fronting the Plaza for commercial deliveries to the retailers within the Plaza. The owner stated that as a result of the continued success of the Plaza, delivery conflicts with patrons were increasing. The owner had requested that the curb fronting the Plaza be designated as a loading zone.
City Engineering and Traffic staff made a field review of the site, and determined that a limited 60 feet length designated commercial vehicle loading zone could be created at a specific location along the Plaza's Date Palm Drive frontage between two driveways, located approximately 320 feet north of Converse Road. Specifically, to maintain a safe line of site for exiting vehicles, the designated 60 feet commercial vehicle loading zone would start approximately 320 feet north of Converse Road.
The City Engineer is also recommending that the beginning and end of this designated commercial loading zone be designated with a yellow painted curb the entire 60 feet length, with the words "15 MINUTE PARKING" in black letters on top of the yellow curbs and loading zone regulation signs be posted behind the curb with the same wording.
The owner of the Plaza will pay for all the work, materials and equipment necessary to make this change for the commercial vehicle loading zone. The loading zone and associated restrictions will be in effect immediately upon acceptance by the City Engineer.
Staff is also requesting that the City Engineer, upon evaluation at any time, may remove the 15 minute commercial vehicle loading zone curb and signage designation and return the curb to the original red curb no stopping, standing or parking designation in the interest of the public's safety.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact the City. All signage, painting and other related improvements will be completed by the developer.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location map.
2: Resolution No. 88-5 Establishing a No Parking Zone on Date Palm Dr. (Gerald Ford Dr. to Converse)
3: Proposed Resolution establishing a 15 Minute Commercial Loading Zone on Date Palm Drive approximately 320 north of converse Road.