Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager and Director of Economic Development
Title
SUBJECT: Discussion and Direction Regarding Re-Opening the Commercial Truck Parking Lot Located at Stuart Avenue and S. West Avenue in the Airport Industrial Park
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council about re-opening the commercial truck parking lot in the Airport Industrial which is currently closed to on-site commercial truck parking.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Provide direction to staff regarding re-opening the commercial truck parking lot in the Airport Industrial Park.
Body
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
2023-2024 City Council Goals and Priorities, Quality of Life and City Policies,
(a) Citywide commercial truck parking reevaluation.
BACKGROUND
In 2003, City of Merced staff began considering a site where truck drivers could park their commercial trucks rather than infringing upon residential areas. Former Police Chief Russ Thomas noted that the volume service call regarding illegal commercial truck parking was increasing. Subsequently, staff identified the site immediately south of the former Pepsi plant as the location for the commercial truck parking lot.
As a location of environmental remediation, the City received approval to cap the subject site (2002) with asphalt from the State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board subject to a Declaration of Restrictive Covenant. Commercial truck parking was one of the few allowable uses permitted on the site.
In 2007, the Commercial Truck Parking Lot in the Airport Industrial Park was opened to the public (Attachment 1 and 2). The City did not charge a fee or provide an abundance of lighting or security at the site. Parking was “At Your Own Risk.” The parking facility was used primarily by private commercial truck drivers with some corporate truck parking use. Most drivers were locally based who parked their commercial trucks at the parking lot, and either left their car or were picked up to be taken home.
DISCUSSION
At the 2022-2023 Goals and Priorities session, the former Council Member of District 2 opened a discussion about closing the commercial truck parking lot located at the Airport Industrial Park at Stuart Avenue and S. West Avenue. The consensus of the City Council was supportive to close the commercial truck park lot after hearing concerns and complaints about the commercial truck parking lot such as engine noise, dust generation, and potential for emergency vehicle conflicts from the former Council Member. The commercial truck parking lot was officially closed on April 11, 2022.
At the City Council meeting of April 4, 2022, Council asked staff to provide alternatives on where commercial truck owners could park their vehicles. Staff presented an update on parking alternatives at the Council meeting of April 18, 2022. The report focused on the following topics:
• No Parking in Residential Areas (Municipal Code)
• Commercial Truck Parking Alternatives
o Commercial Truck Parking in the Airport Industrial Park
o Partnerships and Agreements
o Use of Existing Truck Parking Yards
A copy of the Administrative Report is found at Attachment 3. Staff was directed to take no further action.
Consideration of the Re-Opening the Commercial Truck Parking Lot
At the City Council 2023-2024 Goals and Priorities session, Council raised the idea of re-opening the Commercial Truck Parking Lot at the Airport Industrial Park. Since the closure of the Commercial Truck Parking Lot, complaints from residents about illegal commercial truck parking have been called in from all parts of the City.
Sample Commercial Truck Parking Complaints
According to the Merced Police Department Crime Analyst, 60 calls were received about illegal vehicle code activities where the term “semis” was used. The calls for services or complaints were related to “semis” parking on streets blocking views, blocking driveways, engine running, and other reasons. The sample period studied was from April 2022 to July 2022.
Statewide Study
In February 2022, CalTrans completed the California Statewide Truck Parking Study. The study identifies that there is a lack of truck parking especially at commercial truck parking locations. The study also identifies that 77% of California communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. There are 717,840 trucking jobs which means that trucking jobs make up 1 in 21 jobs in the state.
Direction from Council
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding re-opening the Commercial Truck Parking Lot at the Airport Industrial Truck.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOUCES
Since the commercial truck parking facility has been closed for a year, there may be a need to evaluate the condition of the facility and return to Council with proposed improvements and fixes.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Commercial Truck Parking Location Map
2. Merced Sun Star Article, November 2007
3. Administrative Report of April 18, 2022