CR 91-91 Restrictions Disabled Transfer Zone Sitting
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April 9, 1991 Council Report 91-91
RESTRICTIONS FOR DISABLED TRANSFER ZONE SITING.
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the.following motion: Move to adopt for
the Second Reading the following ordinances: Residential Disabled
Parking Zones, and Residential Disabled Transfer Zones.
The implication of approving the recommended motion will be increased
services for disabled residents, at the expense of fewer public
parking spaces. This report highlights site restrictions for disabled
transfer zones.
Overview.
This report is a follow up to the coqncil's first reading of the
residential disabled parking zone ordinance, and the residential
disabled transfer zone ordinance. City staff amended the disabled
parking and transfer zone ordinances with two word corrections, and
. reviewed the implications of restricting the siting of transfer zones.
The proposed ordinance 91-677, 1306.13, subdivision 1. does not allow
the siting of-disabled transfer zones for private businessesi places
of worship, non-profit organizations, or parking lots. The intention
of this rule is to restrict applicants from applying which have
similar facilities. It is also designed to maintain public safety on .
narrow public thoroughfares, assist transfer zone regulation by
segregating the number of possible applicants, and emphasize use of
disabled parking locations in parking lots.
The accompanying supporting documents will summarize. negative and
positive implications of enacting the Residential Disabled Transfer
Zone ordinance with zone site restrictions.
Primary Issues to consider.
0 What are the equity issues surrounding this restriction?
0 will this restriction unfairly restrict the ordinance goals?
supportinq Documents.
0 detailed background
0 analysis of issues
0 alternatives
0 recommendation
,'. 0 revised ordinances
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Scott R. Thompson, Administrative Intern.
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.. CR: 91-91
Page: 2
Detailed Background.
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The residential disabled transfer zone allows disabled residents
unrestricted access to the street. A transfer zone maintains an open
space on the street for disabled citizens to board and exit'a vehicle.
In addition, the zone would occupy'1-2 former parking spaces where no
vehicle is allowed to park.
The transfer zone ordinance restricts the location of zones to
residential areas. It does not allow businesses, places of worship,
non~profit .organizations, or parking lots to have a disabled transfer
zone. This restr'iction is based on: 1. To controL the number of
potential applicants that already have similar facilities. 2. Reduce
the possibility of abusive zone use by limiting the number of
applicants (individuals may use the zone as a loading area, parking
spot, etc). 3. Emphasize use of disabled parking spots in parking
lots, instead of using the street. 4. Public safety concerns,
restrictive and busy parking in business areas would make transfer
zones a safety and regulation problem.
Analysis of Issues.
~ What are the equity issues surrounding thi~ restriction?
This restriction will discriminate against businesses, places of
worship, etc. that do not have facilities similar to a transfer zone
(ie. a drop off zone, circle drive, loading zone, etc.}. The
restriction might create problems for disabled citizens who may need
easy access to businesses without facilities like a transfer zone.
Thus, the restriction may discriminate against individuals who may
need unrestricted access for conducting business, worship, etc.
The city should consider the financial costs, and future impact on the
community if the commercial sector, places of worship, etc. are
allowed to have transfer zones. If any organization, or citizen is
granted complete and unabridged access to this service, regardless of
need or necessity, it will cost the city additional resources.
will this restriction unfairly restrict the ordinance goals?
Disabled transfer zones are intended to provide services and access to
dis~bled citizens. If zone site restrictions are .included in the final
ordinance it might create situations were the intentions of the
ordinance contradict itself. For instance, if a disabled citizen
attempted to access a doctor's office that did not have facilities
like a transfer zone, a lack of access could be viewed as
discrimination.
. However, the city should consider the greater impact, and cost, of
allowing every business, place of worship, etc. the option of having a :
transfer zone. A proliferation of zones would reduce the number of
available parking spaces, create traffic hazards on narrow streets,
and increase the potential for abusive use, which would increase if
more zones were created.
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. CR:91-91
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Alternatives.
L Council adopt Residential Disabled Transfer Zone ordinance, and
Residential Disabled Parking Zone ordinance as written.
2. ~ouncil amend. the Residential Disabled Transfer Zone ordinance,
by deleting 1306.1~, SUBDIVISION 1., thus allowing businesses, .
places of worship, non-profit organizations, and parking lots the
opportunity to apply fo~ transfer zones.
3. Council direct staff to develop additional options in regard to
restricting disabled transfer zone placement.
4. Do nothing.
Recommendation.
staff recommendation to the council and the mayor is alternative
number one; adopt both ordinances as written. This recommendation
includes the transfer zone site restrictions as written.
. The city should consider the needs of all citizens however, it is not
necessary to fund, maintain, and regulate.services which could be
viewed as extraneous. If there are no siting restrictions for disabled
transfer zones there could be' a proliferation of applications for this
service. All parking lots are required by law to have disabled park'ing
spaces, and a majority of large churches, synagogues, businesses, etc.
have some type of easy access (ie. circle drives, no parking zones,
etc). It is in the city's 'best interest to restrict the number of
possible applicants for public safety reasons, necessity, and resource
availability.
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CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 91-677
Residential Disabled Transfer Zones
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Hopkins as
follows:
SECTION 1. That section 1306.00, Disabled Transfer Zones, be
added to the city code to read as follows:
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1306.01 Residential Disabled Transfer Zones Established.
The1city may establish, administer, and regulate residential
disabled transfer zones.
1306.03 General Rule. A disabled transfer zone is for the
specific purpose of providing a location for disabled
individuals to board a vehicle in a residential area.
. 1306.05 Prohibited Parking. No person may park an unattended
vehicle in a disabled transfer zone. If a,vehicle is parked
unattended in this zone the city may ticket the vehicle
and/or tow it. i
Subdivision 1. No vehicle may stand in a disabled transfer
zone unless the specific purpose is to allow vehicle
boarding by disabled persons.
1306.07 Eligibility. Any person,requesting a disabled
transfer, adjacent to their residence, must be disabled as
specified in M.S. 169.345 Subd.2.
1306.09 Ar>proval. Any request by a citizen for a disabled
transfer zone must be approved by the City Council. Such
approval shall be in the form of a resolution.
Subdivision 1. Procedure. When an application for placement
of a disabled transfer zone is received the city must;
notify residents within a 350 foot radius of the proposed
transfer zone location at least 10 days prior to-the
application being considered by the council. The notice
shall indicate the location requested, and the time and date
the application will be considered.
1306.11 Fees. Any person with a disabled transfer zone
. adjacent to their'residence must pay an annual permit fee.
The permit fee amount shall be set by the City Council and
may be amended from time to time. The applicant must submit
an application annually, and pay the annual fee by the
anniversary date of approval.
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SUbdivision 1. If the annual application and renewal fee is
not paid in full by the anniversary date, the disabled
transfer zone will be removed by the city. The resolution to
create the transfer zone then becomes'void.
1306.13 Designation of Disabled Transfer Zon~. A Disabled
transfer zone will designate boundaries by using two signs,
each with the blue and white wheelchair symbol, and with the
following statements, 1. Arrow indicating that between
signs, Disabled Transfer Zone. 2. violators find up to $200.
3. No parking. ~ach sign.will be placed 20 feet a part and
face toward the street. The space between the signs is the
transfer zone.
Subdivision 1. No disabled transfer zones will be allowed
for private businesses, place of worship, non-profit
organizations, or parking lots.
First Reading: , 1991
. Second Reading:. , 1991
Date of PUblication: 1991
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Date Ordinance Takes Effect: , 1991
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Mayor
Attest:
city Clerk
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CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
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ORDINANCE 'NO. 91-678
Residential Disabled Parking Zones
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Hopkins as
follows:
SECTION 1. That section 1307.00, Residential Disabled
Parking Zones, be added to the city code to read as follows:
1307.01 Residential Disabled Parking Zones Established.
The City may establish, administer, and regulate residential
disabled parking zones.
1307.03 General Rule. A residential disabled parking zone is
for the specific purpose of providing a location for
disabled persons to park a vehicle ~n a residential area.
This zone is not intended for the specific use by one
. individual, nor can any of the privileges of this service be
denied to any person, or vehicle, meeting the following
guidelines.
Subdivision 1. Street Maintenance. All city ordinances and
.resolutions for street cleaning, maintenance, and snow
plowing must be abided by any person parking in this zone.
1307.05 Certificate Required. No person may park a vehicle
in a disabled parking zone unless the vehicle bears a
certificate, or license plates, which specify the vehicle as
transporting disabled persons~ Reference: M.S. 169.345. If
any vehicle is parked in this zone that does not meet these
specifications the city may ticket and/or tow the vehicle.
1307.07 Eligibility_ Any person requesting, a disabled
parking zone, adjacent to their residence, must be disabled
as specified in M.S. 169.345 Subd.2.
1307.09 Approval. Any request by a citizen for a disabled
parking zone adjacent to their residence must be approved by
the city Council. Such approval shall be in the form of a
resolution.
Subdivision L Procedure. When an application for placement
of a disabled parking zone is received the city must;
. notify residents within a 350 foot radius of the proposed
parkinqzone location at least 10 days prior to the .
application being considered by the council. The notice
shall indicate the location requested, and the time and date
the application will be considered.
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1307.,11 Fees. Any person with a disabled parking zone
adjacent to their residence must pay an annual permit fee.
The permit fee amount shall be set by the city Council and
may be amended from time to time. The applicant must submit
an application annually, and pay the annual fee by the
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anniversary date of approval.
Subdivision 1. If the annual application and renewal fee is
not paid in full by the anniversary date, the dis.abled
parking zone will be removed by the city. The resolution to
create the transfer zone then becomes void.
1307.13 Desiqnation of Disabled Parkinq Zones. A disabled
parking zone, in a residential area, will designate
boundaries by using two signs, each with the blue and white
wheelchair symbol, and with the fOllowing statements; 1.
Disabled Parking Zone, 2 . Violators fi!led up to $200. 3. No
Parking. Each sign will. be placed 20 feet a\'part and' face
toward the street. The space between the signs is the
parking zone.
. First Reading: 1991
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Second Reading: , 1991
Date of Publication: , 1991
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: , 1991
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
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