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TC - Item 3B - Draft Curb Markings Policy and Procedures for Red, Green, Yellow, and White CurbsTO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: MICHELLE RAMIREZ, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: APRIL 5, 2018 • '. SUBJECT: DRAFT CURB MARKING POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR RED, GREEN, YELLOW, AND WHITE CURBS SUMMARY At the direction of the City Council, staff has prepared a Draft Curb Marking Policy and Procedures for Red, Green, Yellow, and White Curbs (Draft Policy and Procedures) document to identify the procedures and approval criteria associated with installing curb markings within Rosemead. This document is for the Traffic Commission's review and comment. STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Traffic Commission review and comment on the Draft Curb Marking Policy and Procedures for Red, Green, Yellow, and White Curbs, and forward the document (with any proposed changes) to the City Council for approval. ANALYSIS On February 13, 2018, the City Council directed staff to prepare a policy that would identify the procedures and approval criteria associated with installing curb markings. Each year, the City of Rosemead Public Works Department receives several requests to install red, green, yellow, and white curbs in front of residences and businesses. The attached Draft Policy and Procedures document discusses the issues that are involved in reviewing such requests, defines the various types of curb markings, and identifies the conditions and locations that are appropriate for such marking. Additionally, this Draft Policy and Procedures document establishes the standards and procedures by which curb marking requests are reviewed and implemented. Curb markings can help customers and delivery drivers with quick and easy access to businesses, increase public safety by maintaining visibility in driveways and at corners, and provide dedicated pick-up zones. The Draft Policy and Procedures document was developed in an effort to meet the needs of the community while following the standards of practice for the installation of curb markings. Traffic Commission Meeting April 5, 2018 Page 2 of 2 PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Prepared By: Submitted By: Rafael M. Fajardo, P.E. Michelle G. Ramirez City Engineer Director of Public Works Attachment 1: Draft Curb Marking Policy and Procedures for Red, Green, Yellow, and White Curbs GI4 C`YP iJ l+-- City of Rosemead CurbMarkingPolicy & Procedures For Red, Green, Yellow, and White Curbs Introduction Each year, the City of Rosemead Public Works Department receives several requests to install red, green, yellow, and white curbs in front of residences and businesses. This policy and procedures document discusses the issues that are involved in reviewing such requests, defines the various types of curb markings, and identifies the conditions and locations that are appropriate for such marking. The procedures for reviewing curb marking requests are also discussed. Curb markings can help customers and businesses, increase public safety by m and provide dedicated pick-up zones. Policy Objective: It is the objective of this policy to with installing curb markings. Th needs of the community -while fi curb markings. Additionally,1hi which curb marking requests arE Curb Marking_ Del The City of Roser no -parking zones, Under some circu 1. placement least two si 2. curb markir 3. signs and three drivers with quick and easy access to 1 visibility in driveways and at corners, and approval criteria associated eeloped in an effort to meet the of practice for the installation of standards and procedures by pes of parking zones, which are: (1) and (3) loading zones. .ances, special parking zones may be established by: signs only (as opposed to installing curb markings so long as at are visible from any portion of the parking area), only Wout signs), or The definitions of each curb marking are discussed below, along with the locations where such curb markings are appropriate. No -Parking (Red Zones) Red zones are no -parking zones, whereby parking is not allowed at any time. Red means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time. Public transportation is the only exception to the "no parking in red zone' rule. A bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone. 1 Red Zones are necessary for the smooth and safe operations of public transit, fire responders, and in general, all motorists. Red Zones are also necessary for other areas where a parked car will limit visibility for traffic, pedestrians, or bike riders. In lieu of Red Zones, or in some cases to supplement those zones, no -parking signage may be installed and enforced so long as at least two signs are visible from any portion of the parking area. No -parking zones can be installed in any area of the City where the presence of parked vehicles at the curb creates an unsafe situation for vehicular or pedestrian traffic or reduces operational efficiency at a particular location to unacceptable levels. Critical Red Zones Critical Red Zones are installed for the benefit of the entire community. They can be installed on any intersection corner to maintain safe and efficient visibility or on certain segments of streets, where narrow street widths impede the flow of traffic or create unsafe driving conditions. Thus, when it is warranted by the Public Works Department, red curbing can be installed on the corner of any intersection to maintain safe and efficient vehicular maneuverability, or on certain segments of streets where narrow street widths cause vehicular operations to degrade to unacceptable conditions. The red curb installations discussed above are considered critical red zones, where parking restrictions are necessary to maintain safe roadway and traffic conditions. Certain locations may be painted fed, without the need of Traffic Commission review or City Council approval, where parkutg is restricted at any time as is required by federal, state; or local I"aw (i.e_ parking in front of fire hydrants, appropriately sijned and marked public fransit bus stops, etc.). Drive"k4edaipping is a';peciallype d of reone that is installed at driveways. Short -sections of red curbing, typically requested by property owners, can be installed on either side.of a dfiveway to promote better maneuverability into and out of#he;driveway aril to imprbue visibility from the driveway. The amount of red tipping will be installed in, a way khat minimizes the loss of existing on -street parking spaces. Driveway red tipping can be installed to eliminate non-standard parking spaces (less than 18 feet) -Between driveways; a condition that sometimes leads to one or both driveways being partially blocked by parked vehicles. A typical driveway red tipping installation could include between 2- to 5 -feet of red curbing on either side of the driveway. However, if there is a possibility to park motorcycles or micro -vehicles, those locations shall be preserved and striped appropriately. There are limited situations where the length of red curb installed at a location could be adjusted on a case-by-case basis depending on other factors such as adjacent parking and operations at adjacent driveways. 2 Parking restrictions for driveway red tipping is enforceable, just as any other no -parking zone in the City (i.e. any vehicle can be cited for parking in a driveway red tipping zone). Time -Limited Parking (Green Zones) Time-limited parking zones are areas where the length of time that a vehicle can remain parked in a particular space is limited to a specified duration. In the City of Rosemead, a Green Zone generally indicates no standing or parking for longer than 20 minutes at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays or Holidays and when signs are erected giving notice thereof. However, under certain circumstances, green zones with time limits other than 20 minutes can be installed if warranted by Public Works review. Time -restricted parking zones are typically can be installed where unrestricted curb s for long-term parking during the majority o available for customers of the businesses Zones will have the parking time limit p signage. Loading (Yellow and White Loading zones are special parking z purpose of loading and unloading i marked in front of th"ntrance to any of public assembly-. . Yellow Curb A Yellow Zo loading time between 7:00 than the loaaino or unloading of or unloading alb th commercial areas. Green Zones in front of a particular business is used 'day, such that_short-term parking is not the area Appropriately marked Green J on the curb to supplement the parking that allow foMemporary parking for the sole andlor passengers: Loading zones may be of business or hall/place used for the purpose ates anvarea that has been designated solely for freight and ictivities.'-Yellow mea- n -"o stopping, standing, or parking at any m. and 6 00 p _m. of any day except Sunday for any purpose other iloadrh@--' of passengers or materials; provided that the loading or gers A,All not consume more than three minutes, nor the loading rials shall consume more than twenty minutes. Loading zones are typically installed in commercial areas and near high-density residential developments: -.`Yellow Zones can be installed in areas where frequent material loading and/or `""passenger loading occur, but where the majority of the unrestricted curb space in front of the subject business or residential complex is used for long-term parking during most of the day, such that there is no usable curb space for loading activities. White Zone White Zones can be installed to permanently reserve curb -space for passenger loading only. White means no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers. There is a 3 minute time limit for passenger loading and unloading. M White Zone restrictions are in effect between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sunday or as follows: 1. When a white curb is installed in front of a hotel, the restrictions shall apply at all times. 2. When a white curb is in front of a school, the restrictions may be modified to apply to drop-off and pick-up times only, as determined necessary by Public Works staff and school officials. Passenger loading zones typically are found in commercial areas, near schools, senior care facilities, senior housing, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, apartment buildings, theaters, churches, and other large places of assembly. Curb Marking Requests Business and property owners can request curb markings by filling out and returning the General Curb Marking Request form. The `form is included at the back of this document. A completed request form along with the submittal of the appropriate fee constitutes a complete application. lneomplete requests or, those that lack the appropriate fee will be delayed while staff coordinates with the requestor to complete the application. The appropriate fees are discussed,below. The application request does "t)6 rantee apj3WVaL Fees Fees are collected for curb marking requests _when the curb' marking will benefit an individual property rather than the general public. Each curb marking request requires time for City staff to evaluate the ,request, conduct field visits, collect and analyze data, mark curb -painting locations in the field and install the requested curb markings. To offset the cost ofmatenal and staff time for _ #hese activities, a nominal fee will be collected ,when Curb marking requests are made. The fees collected also accommodate the on=going maintenance 'of --the curb (i.e. repainting) for its foreseeable lifespan. In. some instances, a sfudy,may. be necessary to verify and ensure the request markings are=necessary, will not disturb;or interrupt traffic flow, andlorwill not compromise surrounding property or building owner, or the safety of vehicular, pedestrian, or bike traffic. When a study is necessary, the cost of the study will be the responsibility of the applicant and muk.be collected by the City, from the applicant, before the study is requested. All fees "can beJound in the City's Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges adopted by the City Council. Curb Marking Evaluation Process Each curb marking request requires time for staff to evaluate the request, conduct field visits, collect and analyze data (if necessary), mark curb -painting locations in the field, and to install the requested curb markings. When the Public Works Department receives a completed Curb Marking Application, City staff will process the request on a first-come first -serve basis. Listed below are the steps involved in evaluating a curb marking request. 2 a. Field Visit — After the completed application is received, City staff will conduct a field visit to assess the problem and identify possible solutions within two weeks of receipt of the completed curb marking application. Curb marking requests involving safety issues have priority over other requests. Therefore, when a safety request is received, City staff will conduct field visits and investigate the location within three working days of when the request is received to determine if immediate improvements are necessary. b. Data Collection (if necessary) — Additional data, such as parking survey information, may be necessary to review some curb marking requests. A parking survey may be needed to assess the impact on parking in the area when parking activity is high, or to determine if the,parking activity in the area is high enough to warrant installation of the requested curb marking. When necessary, parking surveys require an additional. two weeks to evaluate the need and feasibility of the requested curb marking. c. Contact Adjacent Residence/Property Owners (if necessary) —An additional step in the review process is necessary when the requested curb marking will .by affect locations other than that ownedthe requestor. Under such conditions, the City will seek input from the affected property owners. Notices.,will be sent out to property owners when, colored curbing, * ch was not requested by fro them, will be installed in nt, of their property. When the location of a requested curb marking is in a place other than the requestor's property frontage, the request will not be granted,,withodt the affected -Property owner's signature on the Curb Marking Request Form-, or a letter from the affected property owner consenting to the_curb marking. d. Review and Evaluation - Following the ,field visit and data collection, staff will evaluate the circumstances of the particular request and make a determination regarding , the, feasibility of the requested ° curb marking. The review and evaluation process wil�be. conducted within two weeks from the time when the field visits and data collection are complete. If City staff determines that the requested curb is justified, then it will be taken to Traffic Commission with a recommendation of approval. 'If City staff determines that the requested curb is not justified, then a denial letterwillase sent along with an explanation ofthe appeal process. e. Notification — Upon completion of the review of the requested curb marking, City staff will send a leiter to the requestor documenting the results of the analysis, the City's findings, and a schedule for the item to be reviewed by the Traffic Commission and the City Council. f. Curb Marking Approval — If City staff determines that the requested curb marking is feasible and justified, then it will be taken to the Traffic Commission. The Traffic Commission's recommendation will then be taken to the City Council for a determination of final approval or denial. Any decision of denial on curb markings made by the Public Works Department is appealable to the Traffic Commission followed by the City Council. 5 Evaluation Criteria Every curb marking request involves a different set of circumstances. As such, each curb marking request will require a unique analysis that takes into account the particular set of circumstances involved. Some of the common issues involved in evaluating a curb marking request are discussed below. How much parking is removed to accommodate the request? When a curb marking, is requested, consideration is given to the preservation of adjacent parking spaces. It is undesirable to install sections of colored curbing that would leave a relatively long, but unusable portion of unpainted curb (less than. 18 feet). Would the requested curb marking affect other Occasionally, installing curb markings at one loca to an adjacent driveway or property frontage, thea, circumstances such as these, the feasibility of ; marking at adjacent driveways is reviewed. How is parking in the area affected by adjacep,l Time-limited parking and loading zones_ may be war regularly occupies the curb space thatis needed for A parking occupancy survey may be necessary to qua and the usage of curb space in the area. Are there similar pG City staff will evalua existing colored curb How big during p zone? Cons ideration-will be given i parking in the area;,so as not 6, drivers to park their cars closer ig a problem at that location. Under the length of the requested curb i areas wherehong-term parking and short-term customer parking. magnitude of the parking problem Id serve the requestor? curb marking is requested to determine if ild serve the requested location. I how many deliveries are expected what size vehicle will be using the zone that is requested while maintaining as much -t nearby property owners. How does the requested curb marking impact surrounding properties? City staff will evaluate if the requested curb marking would remove parking spaces that nearby businesses rely on. In some cases, any new curb marking requests could also require the consent of adjacent business or property owners. What is the impact on motorist safety? City staff will adhere to accepted engineering practice when determining whether the requested curb markings are feasible and appropriate in regards to traffic safety. 0 Is the curb marking going to be installed in a location other than the requestor's property frontage? If so, then the Public Works Department will not grant the request without consent from the affected property owner allowing the curb on their frontage to be painted per the request. However, consent from the affected property owner is not required if a red zone is to be installed on their property on a segment of curb that does not constitute a legitimate parking space (i.e. less than 18 feet of unmarked curb space), and if the curb marking is required to address an immediate traffic safety hazard. 7 Evaluating the need for critical Red Zones involves the following criteria in addition to those described above. Establishing critical intersection and roadway Red Zones will be based primarily on evidence that could identify a particular location as a safety problem or high - accident location. When evaluating the need for Red Zones at a particular location, the primary areas of investigation will be accident records at the location, the traffic volume at the location, and the streettintersection geometrics associated with the location. Locations with multiple complaints of visibility problems and locations with many requests for red curbing will be considered candidates for safety improvements and will be evaluated further to assess the need for red curbing to improve sight distance and/or traffic operations. Maintenance of Existing Curb Markings Existing curb markings that have become Department as needed. Under no circumstai paint or repaint any curb markings Removal of Curb Markings Occasionally, the Public existing curb marking evaluation criteria that s e refreshed.; by Public Works property owner--; be permitted to artment will`receive.,a request for the removal of an ;questwould be reviewed using the same process and e for new curb marking requests. 51 M E e�8, ♦ o P* w General Curb (Narking Request Form The purpose of this form is to enable business/property owners to request the installation of curb markings in front of their business/residence. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APPLICANT: Fill out this application form completely and return to the Public Works Department. Please include the appropriate fee payment for the requested curb marring. If you have general questions regarding the City's Curb Marking Policy, please refer to the City's Policy and Procedures for Installation of Curb Markings, which can be found at www.cityofrosemead.ore under the Public Works Department. Business Address: 1. Type of curb marking zone you are applying for: 0 No -Parking 0 Time -Limited Parking 0 Loading 2. Is requested curb marking zone completely within your property frontage? (check one): 0 Yes 0 No If no, then please have the owner/resident of the property where the curb marling will be installed fill out the following information: Name: Address: Phone Number: I consent to allow the requested curb marking infront ofmyproperty. Signature: Date: 3. Length of Zone Requested: 7. Land -Use Type (check one) Single Family Home _ Restaurant _ Medical Office Hotel/Motel Retail Office 8. Business hours and days 9. For Loading Zones: a. Number of pick-ups/deliveries daily: b. Typical size and type of truck: c. Estimated times of highest usage: For Time -Limited Parking Zones: a. Estimated number of customers/visitors daily: b. Estimated times of highest usage: Is there support from adjacent properties, including support from the Home Owners Association, for installation of the requested curb marking? Can you demonstrate this support if necessary? 10. Are there any facilities (churches, schools, shopping malls, office complexes, etc.) in the area that affect the availability of parking or loading at this location? Signature of Applicant: Please Return to: City of Rosemead Department of Public Works 8 83 8 E. Valley Boulevard Rosemead, CA 91770 0 Date: