CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Section 11-1-5 Schedule VIA of the Naperville Municipal Code to prohibit parking, stopping, and standing along the west side of River Road from certain points on Aurora Avenue (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Phil Tartaglia, Project Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On July 7, 2022 the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) recommended approval to establish an ordinance to prohibit parking, stopping, and standing along the west side of River Road from the centerline of Aurora Avenue to a point 265’ north of Aurora Avenue. Approved (7-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The City received a request from the School Readiness Center located at 430 S. River Road to investigate traffic congestion just north of the intersection of River Road and Aurora Avenue. This section of River road is a 44-foot wide collector roadway with a posted 30 mph speed limit. River Road has a single through lane of travel in each direction with a left turn lane at the intersection of Aurora Avenue. Per Ordinance 98-33, the west side of River Road from Aurora Avenue to a point 156 feet north of the centerline of Aurora Avenue is restricted as “No Parking.”
DISCUSSION:
Staff conducted field observations during peak drop-off and pick-up hours. Staff noted the parking boxes were generally occupied, particularly during evening school hours since they provide convenient access to the School Readiness Center. Staff also found that during the AM and PM rush hours, southbound through traffic on River Road was restricted by the southbound left turn queue when vehicles were present in the parking box closest to Aurora Avenue on the west side of the street.
Based on the findings, staff recommends the elimination of the first parking box north of Aurora Avenue and extending the established “No Parking” restriction.
In April 2022, staff solicited feedback on the proposal by distributing a survey with a detailed exhibit to the residents on both sides of River Road between Aurora Avenue and Stonegate Road (attached). The survey response from the 16 adjacent residents is summarized is the table below:
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Survey Response |
|
Support |
5 |
|
Oppose |
3 |
|
No Opinion |
1 |
|
No Response |
7 |
Per prior TAB guidance, a “No Response” is considered in support of the recommendation. A minimum of 60% resident support is needed for TAB consideration.
The results of the resident survey showed 75% of neighbors are in support of removing the parking box and extending the established “No Parking” zone 265’ north of Aurora Avenue.
This proposed change will reduce the potential for southbound left turning traffic (in combination with a vehicle parked on-street) to restrict the southbound through traffic approaching the intersection with Aurora Avenue. Restrictions would be signed and enforced for all motorists, including residents of the neighborhood.
Accordingly, the attached ordinance rescinds the existing parking restriction on the west side of River Road (98-33 that extends 156 feet north of Aurora Avenue) and replace it with parking restriction that extends 265 feet north of Aurora Avenue.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$26 to remove existing striping.