Agenda of Regulatory Subcommittee - Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Regulatory Subcommittee

14 June 2022

Part A Reports

Proposed Parking Changes

Department: Transport

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 This report seeks support from the Regulatory Subcommittee (Subcommittee) for changes and clarifications to parking restrictions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Recommends Council to approve the proposed changes to parking restrictions shown in the June 2022 update of the Dunedin City Council's traffic and parking restrictions database, https://tinyurl.com/ParkingJune2022.

BACKGROUND

2 Traffic and parking controls contribute to the objectives of the Dunedin Integrated Transport Strategy 2013, by helping to achieve a safe, efficient and accessible transport network.

3 Council maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) map database of traffic and parking restrictions (the database) that reflects all on-street parking restrictions that are implemented with markings and/or signs.

4 Parking controls are made under the Traffic and Parking Bylaw. The Subcommittee has the delegation to consider changes to parking controls and to make recommendations to Council that can approve traffic restrictions and parking controls.

DISCUSSION

5 Council receives a range of unsolicited requests from individuals and businesses to change parking restrictions. When considering these requests, officers assess a range of factors including safety concerns, commuters’ needs, commercial users’ needs, road width and topography, traffic flow, neighbouring on-street parking spaces, visibility concerns and crash statistics. If a proposed change is supported by officers, consultation is undertaken with affected residents, businesses and property owners to demonstrate support for the requested change.

6 Recommended changes and clarifications to parking restrictions are shown in https://tinyurl.com/ParkingJune2022 and detailed in Attachments A (TPC-30 Minor Changes) and C (TPC 31-Clarifications and corrections). The GIS layer includes a bookmark feature which links the numbered cases presented in the tables of Attachment A and Attachment C, to their specific location on the GIS layer.

7 The recommended parking restriction changes detailed in Attachment A (TPC-30 Minor Changes) include:

a) parking changes to improve safety, efficiency or access where appropriate engagement has been carried out with affected parties

b) changes to improve the operation of the bus network where appropriate engagement with affected parties has been carried out by the Otago Regional Council (ORC).

8 A summary of the consultation undertaken with affected parties, including owners, residents and businesses is shown in Attachment B (Consultation Summary).

Minor Changes

9 The proposed changes at Eden Street and Gordon Road, are part of the construction of the new Mosgiel Pool. The changes include installing broken yellow lines at and near the intersection and relocating a bus stop on Gordon Road. These changes are essential for the safe and efficient operation of the intersection which is located on a state highway.

10 In March 2021 a letter drop was sent to approximately 200 properties showing an initial design for the intersection with an estimated loss of 15 carparks. The feedback received from the consultation included one piece of feedback opposed to the parking loss. All feedback was responded to and the Mosgiel Taieri-Community Board was updated in May 2021.

11 After the feedback was received, the design for the intersection was updated and it was determined that 24 car parks would need to be removed in order to provide sight lines for vehicles approaching the intersection, and a right turn bay for vehicles to enter the pool car park.

12 A further letter drop was sent to residents living nearby the site of the pool on 01 June 2022. Residents were shown the updated design for the intersection and advised that 24 car parks would be lost to support its construction. Staff have subsequently received two pieces of feedback opposing the loss of parking.

13 All of the properties affected by these changes have off street parking.

14 At the 8 June 2022 meeting of the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, the changes were discussed, and board members opposed signalising the intersection and the fact that this would reduce parking.

15 Six cases relate to bus stops with four of them involving improvements to provide longer entry and exit tapers providing safer access for bus drivers and users.

16 The location of the ‘Changing Places’ toilet at the Library and Civic Centre will be moved to a nearby space in the future. This change was requested following discussions between Transport, Property Services, the Programme Management Office and the Disability Issues Advisory Group. The space that had been regulated for the location of the toilet will be reverted to a P5 parking space.

17 The parking restrictions on Dowling Street have been reviewed and all the paid 240-minute parks are proposed to be changed to shorter-stay paid 120-minute restriction. Some new unpaid short-term restrictions will also be introduced on the street. The decision to change the restrictions was made after officers met with several business owners that wanted to see higher parking turnover on the street.

18 Changes to parking restrictions as part of the Dunedin Safer School Streets project are included in this report. The project targeted seven schools (Grants Braes, Bradford School, Balmacewen Intermediate, Liberton Christian School, Pine Hill School, Opoho School and North East Valley School) for streetscape interventions that improve safety. Parking restrictions relating to these interventions are detailed in Attachment A (TPC-30 Changes). One of the parking changes, originally part of the Bradford School improvements, is not included in this report due to an updated agreement between the Transport team and new school management. A pick-up and drop-off area will instead be trialled before being considered for regulation.

19 Magnet Street is being resealed and one section of the cycleway is being moved alongside the railway fence. Eighteen (18) 240-minute parks and a boat/trailer parking area will be created on this street. Following feedback, the restriction will only operate during weekdays.

Parking Count

20 In total, it is proposed there will be a net loss of 29 parks across the city. The table below shows the net losses and gains due to the proposed parking changes.

Clarifications and Corrections

21 Clarification of parking restrictions and corrections to the database are detailed in Attachment C (TPC-31-Clarifications and corrections). They do not change current parking restrictions, but include:

a) Markings or signs which will clarify parking controls that are already in place. Changes may make existing markings or signs clearer or reinforce existing rules (for example installation of no-stopping lines to clarify that no vehicles may stop within one metre of a driveway or within six metres of a junction under the Land Transport (Road User) Rules 2004). These clarifications are considered necessary for access or safety reasons and are an exception to Council’s general approach not to mark anything that is currently enforceable under existing rules.

b) Corrections to the database that have been made to accurately reflect the parking restrictions which are on the ground.

OPTIONS

22 Two options are proposed. The recommended option is to proceed with the proposed changes to the GIS database and option two is maintaining the status quo.

Option One – Approve the proposed changes (recommended option)

23 That the Subcommittee approves the proposed changes to the traffic and parking controls database.

Advantages

· Improves safety, efficiency and access on the transport network by:

- enabling property access by prohibiting obstructive parking, making existing parking controls clearer, and providing for access to new driveways

- providing an improved and enforceable framework of parking restrictions

- providing appropriate length of parking stay according to the surrounding land uses

- increasing visibility at intersections.

· Improves public transport infrastructure by providing bus stops to support bus services and enables buses to safely enter and exit bus stops.

· Contributes to achieving an integrated, affordable responsive, effective and safe transport network.

Disadvantages

· Costs of installation.

Option Two – Status Quo

24 Retain the parking restrictions without amendment.

Advantages

· Council resources can be allocated to other transport projects.

Disadvantages

· Does not improve efficiency and access to the transport network.

· Does not improve safety or reduce conflict points.

· Does not contribute to the Integrated Transport Strategy goals

NEXT STEPS

25 If the Subcommittee recommends the changes to traffic and parking controls, a report of the proposed changes will be brought before Council for approval.

26 If Council approves the recommended changes to parking restrictions, these will be implemented through appropriate signs and road markings and restrictions will be enforced under the Traffic and Parking Bylaw

Signatories

Author:

Paula Barragan - Policy Analyst - Transport Regulation

Authoriser:

Jeanine Benson - Group Manager Transport

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure and Development

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	TPC-30 Minor Changes	18
⇩b	Consultation Summary	24
⇩c	TPC-31 Clarifications and corrections	31

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This report enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of communities; and promotes the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of communities in the present and for the future.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Economic Development Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Environment Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Arts and Culture Strategy	☐	☐	☒
3 Waters Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Spatial Plan	☐	☐	☒
Integrated Transport Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☐	☐	☐

Establishing and changing traffic and parking restrictions support the achievement of a safe, efficient and accessible transport network, and supports the social and economic wellbeing of Dunedin communities.