CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance establishing a valet parking transfer zone for AltaVida on Jefferson Avenue east of Washington Street
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, P.E., Director of Transportation, Engineering, and Development/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On September 5, 2024, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) reviewed this item and due to a split vote (3-3) there was no recommendation. Staff supports the request for a valet parking transfer zone for AltaVida on Jefferson Avenue east of Washington Street.
BACKGROUND:
City Council approved Ordinance 03-178 in August 2003 establishing regulations to provide for safe operation of valet parking services in the downtown. Once a valet parking permit application is submitted, and a transfer zone within a public roadway is requested, staff prepares a recommendation for the location of the transfer zone. Valet parking permit applications and valet transfer zone locations require City Council approval. Both items are reviewed by TAB in advance of consideration by the City Council.
A valet transfer zone is a pickup and discharge point for valet parking, which may serve one or more businesses and may use up to three parallel parking spaces. The City may require transfer zones to be shared by one or more permit holders and there shall be no more than one valet parking transfer zone on the same side of each city block. Valet parking transfer zones shall be established for either Friday and Saturday operations only or 7 days a week operation, depending upon the request of the operator.
Transfer zones may be in effect from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. The City currently has five active valet transfer zones within the downtown.
When preparing the recommendation for the location of the transfer zone, staff takes into consideration motorists’ and pedestrians’ safety and a transfer zone’s potential impact on traffic flow. Once staff and the applicant have agreed on the proposed location of the transfer zone, notifications are sent to the surrounding businesses along the both sides of the block to gather feedback. The item is then placed on a TAB agenda for consideration before being submitted to City Council for approval
DISCUSSION:
AltaVida, located at 16 West Jefferson, contacted City staff in the summer of 2023 inquiring about a valet transfer zone in front of their address on the south side of Jefferson Avenue between Main Street and Washington Street. During initial discussion, it was explained that staff would not recommend a valet transfer zone on Jefferson Avenue between Main Street and Washington Street. Staff has previously evaluated that location due to requests from other businesses and found that the block is not suitable for valet transfer activity.
Staff asked for TAB input on the request for a valet transfer zone on Jefferson Avenue between Main Street and Washington Street at the June 2024 meeting. The minutes from that meeting are attached.
After the June 2024 TAB meeting, AltaVida resubmitted an application for valet parking services, requesting a transfer zone on the south side of Jefferson Avenue just east of Washington Street. The current spots are classified as a multi-use loading zone. These spaces will continue to serve as a multi-use loading zone when not being used as a valet transfer zone. A map illustrating the proposed valet transfer zone is attached.
The proposed valet transfer zone is 36 feet east of the east leg crosswalk at Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue. The Municipal Code requires parking to begin at least 30 feet from a crosswalk.
At the September 2024 TAB meeting, discussion was centered on congestion into the intersection of Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue because of the recommended location. TAB voted 3-3 for the recommended location, the minutes from the September meeting are attached.
A valet transfer zone previously operated in this location and staff did not observe there to be a significant impact on traffic operations. The valet transfer zone application and additional documents are attached.
Notification of the proposed valet transfer zone was sent to all properties located on Jefferson Avenue between Washington Street and Ellsworth Street. The Downtown Naperville Alliance was also made aware of the proposed change and are in opposition.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Signage expenses are estimated to be $100-$200.