CR 97-92 Citizen Request For Parking Change Reconsideration
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May 2, 1997
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Council Report 97-'72
Citizen Request for Reconsideration of Parking Change - 17th Avenue North
ProDosed Action.
Staff recommends that if Council wishes to reconsider the March 4, 1997 decision,
ordering no changes to current parking restrictions, that Council adopt the following
motion: Move that Council reconsider the 17th Avenue Parking restrictions at a
future City Council meeting. This motion and second must be made by members of
the Council who voted with the majority at the March 4th Council meeting. If a
motion and second is made, then all members of the Council would vote on whether
or not to reconsider. Staff recommends that City Council not reconsider the March
4th decision.
Overview.
Mr. Lloyd Hockel, 101 17th Avenue North has requested reconsideration of the
March 4th Council decision to not change parking restrictions on 17th Avenue North.
He believes that upon receipt of the MnDDT parking variance that "City Council
had what it requested and the buck should have stopped there." Staff believes that
Council's ultimate action to deny parking changes was based on the results of an
orderly process which followed Council direction, allowed ample opportunity for
public input and considered the citizen input which was received.
Primary Issues to Consider.
. Detailed Background
. Staff recommendation
SUDDorting Information.
. Mr. Lloyd Hockelletter dated April 8, 1997
. City Manager letter re onse dated April 28, 1997
T
Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Council Report 97-72
Page 2
Analvsis ofIssues.
. Detailed Background
. June, 1996: Petition requesting parking on the east side of 17th Avenue
North presented to City Council. The petition was signed by 23 east-side
17th Avenue residents.
. July 2, 1996 City Council Meeting: Council directs staff to seek a
MnDOT variance to allow parking on both sides of 17th Avenue North
with restrictions during peak traffic periods. Further, Council directs staff
to contact all 17th Avenue residents to inform them of the decision (to
seek a parking variance) and to point out that all residents will have an
opportunity to express their views before a parking change is made.
. July 8, 1996: Staff sends letter, as described above, to 17th Avenue
residents.
. December 3, 1996 City Council Meeting: Council approves resolution
requesting State Aid parking variance.
. December 12,1996: Staffattends State Aid Variance Committee meeting
and receives committee approval of parking variance.
. January 7, 1997 City Council Meeting: Staff seeks Council input on
parking issue prior to meeting with 17th Avenue residents. Staff
reemphasizes concern of parking on both sides during the winter months
when the effective street width is narrower. Council directs a public
meeting be held to consider and discuss parking options and provide an
opportunity for City staff to hear resident's concerns and answer
questions.
. January 23, 1997: Letter is sent to all 17th Avenue residents announcing
February 13th public meeting, listing many different options for parking,
explaining staff concerns and mentioning the staff recommendation.
. February 13, 1997: Public Information Meeting is held - only six residents
(representing 5 properties) attend. Three are against changing the parking
and two approve of additional parking. Those opposed to additional
parking cite traffic volume, speed, and visibility as key safety concerns.
. February 14 and 18, 1997: Staff conducts telephone poll of 17th Avenue
residents. Six east side residents and lOwest side residents are contacted.
West side residents are opposed to changing parking and half of the east
side residents prefer parking to remain as-is.
. March 3, 1997 City Council Meeting: Staff reports results of public
information meeting, telephone poll and other public input to Council.
There appeared to be little public interest in changing 17th Avenue
parking. This was based on low turnout at the public meeting and the
results of the telephone poll. On a 4-1 vote, City Council orders no
change to current parking restrictions.
Staff Recommendation.
Staff recommends that Council not reconsider its March 4th decision. Parking on
both sides increases the risk of accidents to moving vehicles, parked vehicles,
bicyclists and pedestrians. Additional parking provides very little benefit to abutting
properties and there appears to be very little public interest in additional parking.
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Date: April 8, 1997
To: Hopkins City Council
From: Lloyd Hockel
Subj: 1 ~ Avenue Parking
Please refer to Mayor's letter from March 3, 1997 (Council has copies).
I request review of the Council's decision on the March 4th (1997) meeting,
based on the following letters and from the original request.
Please refer tq Council Report 96-192 dated November 21,1996 (attached).
Staff approved council issued resolution 96-97 (attached) requesting variance.
Refer to letter dated December 2, 1996 (attached) to Mr. Stine of the State
Aid Office.
I went with Mr. Stadler to the committee meeting on December 12, 1996, and
he made an eloquent presentation and answered ail questions positively. The
committee OK'ed the variance.
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Refer to letter dated December.20, 1996 (attached) from Mr. Cohoon of the
Department of Trans po nation granting the variance. At this point the
Hopkins City Council had what it requested and the buck should have
stopped there.
Instead, Mr. Stadler reported to Council 1 0 reasons why the variance should
not go through. Also basing the reasons on a "one in a century" snowfall
from letter dated January 23, 1997 (attached) contrary to what he told the
Variance Conunittee on December l21h,
The original request was based on fairness and equality and should be
reviewed by the Council. We should not have to defend our request.
For the Council's infonnation, 17m Avenue is plowed curb to curb by 5 a.m.
after every snowfall plus follow-ups.
Lloyd Hockel
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City of 1fopfjns
1010 'EitstSttlet South. :J(upfi.jns. 9tf!N 55343-7573 . rpfioTIJI: 612-935-8474 . 'Ea;r;; 612-935-1834
April 28, 1997
Mr. Lloyd Hockel
101 -17th Avenue North
Hopkins, MN 55343
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Re: Request for Reconsideration-17th Avenue Parking
Dear Lloyd:
The Mayor has shared with me your request for reconsideration of the 17th
Avenue parking decision by the City Council. I have placed this request on the
May 6 agenda.
At that time the City Council will receive your letter and will be asked to decide
whether or not they wish to reconsider their decision. Should the Council vote
affirmatively to reconsider the item, the topic would then be placed on a future
agenda.
In order to reconsider an item, the motion and second to reconsider must be
made by members of the Council who voted with the majority the last time the
issue was considered. If a motion and second is made, then all members of the
Council would be eligible to vote on whether or not to reconsider.
The Council meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Council chambers. I would
estimate that this item would appear before the Council toward the beginning of
the agenda, and while I cannot be precise, my guess is that it would be heard
between 7:30 and 8:30 on May 6.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the process
or the information in this letter.
Sincerely,
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Steven C. Mielke
City Manager
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