Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager and Nathan McKinnon, Police Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: City Council Re-Consideration Regarding the Re-Opening of the Commercial Truck Parking Lot Located at S. West Avenue and Stuart Drive and Increasing the Fine for Commercial Trucks Illegally Parked in Residential Districts
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council concerning the re-opening of the commercial truck parking lot and raising the amount of the fine for commercial trucks illegally parking in residential areas from $43.00 to $150.00 per citation.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Provide direction to staff regarding the re-opening of the commercial truck parking lot and illegal commercial truck parking enforcement.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to re-open the commercial truck parking lot; or,
2. Direct staff to keep the commercial truck parking lot closed; or,
3. Direct staff to increase the citation fee for illegal commercial truck parking in residential areas (motion to include date to bring the action back to the City Council); or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by the City Council; or,
5. Defer action until a specific date.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City Council Goals & Priorities for Fiscal Year 2023-2024; Quality of Life (a) Citywide commercial truck parking re-evaluation.
DISCUSSION
The City Council directed staff to re-open the commercial truck parking lot at the meeting of August 7, 2023. Subsequently, the Council received requests from residents not to re-open the commercial truck parking lot citing health concerns, declining quality of life, and safety. Councilmember Ornelas requested that the item be returned to the Council for re-consideration on September 5, 2023.
In addition to receiving direction concerning the status of the commercial truck parking lot, staff is also seeking direction regarding increasing the amount of illegal commercial truck parking fines when cited.
Brief Background
The subject area, S. West Avenue and Stuart Drive, where the commercial truck parking is located was capped in 2002, then opened to the public in 2007 for commercial truck parking. The City opened the commercial truck parking lot as complaints from residents increased regarding semi-trucks and tractor trailers parking in residential zones and other areas throughout the City. Users parking in the commercial truck parking lot were not charged a fee.
Within the Airport Industrial Park, truck-using companies such as Keller Ladders, Werner Ladders, BuiltBest Windows, Sunbeam, and Pepsico are no longer in operation. Commercial trucks are regularly used by existing companies to bring in materials and supplies and to deliver products to their destinations.
Commercial Truck Parking Restricted Within the Airport Industrial Park
In 1997, the City received several complaints about trailers parked in the Airport Industrial Park (AIP.) The issue became critical especially as the Youth Sports Complex gained popularity and other resident serving agencies were being used by pedestrians. An emergency ordinance (#1962) was adopted prohibiting trailer parking on Wardrobe Avenue.
Subsequently, an ordinance (#1978) was passed restricting any truck, trailer, or semitrailer parking on several streets within the Airport Industrial Park between the hours of 3:30am to 5:30am. There are also several no parking areas designated throughout the Airport Industrial Park including portions of Grogan Avenue, Hawk Drive, Heron Way, and Eagle Street identified in the Merced Municipal Code.
One of the most recent requests for No Parking designation was for a portion along Eagle Street. The requesting property owner noted that the street is not wide enough to safely accommodate both employee parking and maneuvering truck traffic.
Given the concerns raised by the neighborhood residents, if the Council opts not to re-open the commercial truck parking lot on S. West Avenue, the Council may also want to consider restricting truck parking on the west side of S. West Avenue from Eagle Street down to Riggs Avenue.
Use of Existing Truck Parking Yards
Just outside of the Merced City Limits are three truck parking yards that have capacity for additional 24/7 secure truck parking. The truck parking yards include 1) Truck Storage Yard at 3310 Beachwood Drive, 2) Freedom Truck Yard at 788 E. Childs Avenue, and 3) Orbit Truck Yard at 2155 Cooper Avenue. The secured truck parking yards rent from $125.00 to $150.00 per month.
Staff recently reached out to the three commercial truck parking yard businesses confirming that space is available at each.
No Parking in Residential Areas
Per Section 10.28.290 of the Merced Municipal Code - Commercial vehicles in residential districts, are not allowed to park commercial vehicles in residential areas except for pickups or deliveries. The Code reads as follows, “No person shall park or leave standing any commercial vehicle, as defined in the Vehicle Code of the state, upon any street within any residential district of the city, if such vehicle has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or more, for any purpose other than making pickups or deliveries of persons, goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure, located on such street or for any purpose other than delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon such street for which a building permit has previously been obtained. A residential district of the city is any area of the city which is classified as residential under the provisions of Title 18.
Since closing the commercial truck parking lot in the Airport Industrial Park, Merced Police Department has experienced an increase in complaints regarding commercial trucks parking in residential neighborhoods. Merced Police have issued citations to the illegally parked commercial trucks, but commercial truck parking remains an issue in residential areas.
Commercial Truck Parking Fines
With the increased amount of commercial vehicle traffic throughout the City of Merced, parking violations have increased 49% between 01/01/2021 thru 04/10/2022 and 04/11/2022 thru 09/20/2023. The city owned truck parking lot on West Ave was closed on 04/11/2022.
The current fine for Merced Municipal Code 10.28.290 Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts (overweight-residential area) is $43.00. This fine has been in place for 12 years. It is recommended the fine be increased to $150.00. The rental cost for a truck parking lot is on average of $150.00 per month. The increased fine should curtail violations and encourage commercial drivers to park the vehicles in the authorized locations.
Current Bail Schedule
MMC 10.28.290 OVERWEIGHT - RESIDENTIAL AREA $ $43.00 12/07/2010 +22 days Notice Date + 15 days $ $43.00
MMC 10.28.290 OVERWEIGHT - RESIDENTIAL AREA $ $43.00 12/07/2010 +22 days Notice Date + 38 days $10.00
Proposed Bail Schedule
MMC 10.28.290 OVERWEIGHT - RESIDENTIAL AREA $ $150.00 12/07/2010 +22 days Notice Date + 15 days $ $150.00
MMC 10.28.290 OVERWEIGHT - RESIDENTIAL AREA $ $150.00 12/07/2010 +22 days Notice Date + 38 days $10.00
Direction to City Staff
Staff is asking for direction from the City Council regarding the potential re-opening of the commercial truck parking lot, keeping the commercial truck parking lot closed, and increasing the amount of the fine for commercial trucks illegally parking in residential districts.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
None.