LTC 248-2012 Muss Park Parking M1A/\A1BEACF+7_ (_�Ft\11FD
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER .2012 SEP 3 1 FM 4' 36
CITE' CLF°K�-S IETTER TO COMMISSION
248-2012
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the C* y Commission
FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager -- ----
DATE: October 1, 2012
SUBJECT: Muss Park Parking
The purpose of this LTC is to inform you of a community meeting, where residents wanted to
remove a proposed new parking lot from the green space triangle area between Chase and
Prairie Avenues, which was included in the Muss Park Greenspace Expansion project
(Attachment).
BACKGROUND
The Muss Park Greenspace Expansion project is increasing the open space in Muss Park and
simultaneously correcting a non-standard intersection.
On October 27, 2011 City staff and members of the community, met at Temple Beth Shalom to
discuss two options for the improvements:
1. Expansion of Muss Park green area, a basketball court, a parking lot for the park users
and the realignment of Chase Ave intersecting Prairie Ave., about 200 feet south of the
current intersection with 44 Street
2. Expansion of Muss Park green area, a parking lot for the park users and the realignment
of Chase Ave intersecting Prairie Ave. at 44 Street.
During this meeting no consensus was reached, as some residents favored an expanded park
and others favored intersecting Chase Avenue with Prairie Avenue at 44th Street, which reduced
the green space available for the park.
Additional meetings were held by the City Manager's Office with residents who favored an
expanded park and those,who favored intersecting Chase Avenue with Prairie Avenue at 44th
Street. An agreement was reached wherein Chase Avenue would intersect with Prairie Avenue
at 44th Street. In addition, the parking lot adjacent to Muss Park would be reduced to increase
the green space in the park, and a parking lot would be added in the triangle area between
Chase and Prairie Avenues to make up for the lost parking spaces.
The details of the final plan included the following improvements:
• Adding approximately 10,000 square feet of green space to the park
• Reconstructing the intersection of Chase and Prairie avenues at 44th Street
• Extending the existing park entrance to connect with the realigned intersection
• Rebuilding a section of roadway
• Building a new parking lot
Muss Park Parking
September 20, 2012
Page 2 of 2
• Installing new sidewalks and walkways
• Installing a new school flasher signal
• Installing landscaping and irrigation
ANALYSIS
The project was scheduled to begin upon completion of the Muss Park Summer Camp Program.
In advance of the work, the City provided plans and a schedule of activities to the residents of
the surrounding neighborhood, to North Beach Elementary School, and to Temple Beth Shalom.
Certain members of the community opposed the parking lot in the triangle area, between Chase
and Prairie Avenues.
As a result of the opposition, another community meeting was held on September 5, 2012 at
North Beach Elementary, to discuss this proposed parking lot. Approximately twenty residents,
Commissioner Libbin, two Commissioner Aides, the President of the Orchard Park HOA, and
the Principal of North Beach Elementary School attended.
City staff reviewed the history of the project and explained the need for parking by Muss Park
staff and visitors. There had been 23 parking spaces prior to this project. The parking lot
adjacent to the park will have 19 spaces. The proposed lot in the triangle area between Chase
and Prairie Avenues would have had an additional 12 spaces. (Staff also explained the process
for restricting parking in the neighborhood either with resident decals or by limiting the time that
anyone can park in a given space.)
There was much discussion about the loss of green space, parking in the swales, the use of
existing parking spaces by employees of nearby businesses, and the need for parking during
student drop-off and pick-up. After the discussion, those present were asked to vote for or
against the proposed parking lot in the triangle. The vote was 15 against and 3 in favor of the
parking lot.
As a result of this Community meeting and the consensus achieved, staff will direct the
contractor to remove the parking lot from its scope of work and to credit the City for its cost.
Attachment:
Aerial of the Muss Park Greenspace Expansion project
G/FHB/JJ F/RWS
F:\WORK\$ALL\(1)EMPLOYEE FOLDERS\Rick Saltrick\LTC's\LTC for Muss Park parking.docx
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