Title
Introduce, waive the reading and set June 8, 2021, as the date to consider adopting an ordinance to continue prohibiting parking at all times on the east side of State Highway 1 from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance northerly for a distance of 1800 feet and from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance southerly for a distance of 1800 feet, in the unincorporated area of Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Introduce, waive the reading, and set June 8, 2021 as the date to consider adopting an ordinance to continue prohibiting parking at all times on the east side of State Highway 1 from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance northerly for a distance of 1800 feet and from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance southerly for a distance of 1800 feet, in the unincorporated area of Monterey County.
SUMMARY:
On January 29, 2019, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 5307 amending Section 12.28.010 of the Monterey County Code to prohibit parking at all times on the east side of State Highway 1 from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance northerly for a distance of 1800 feet and from the centerline of the Point Lobos State Park entrance southerly for a distance of 1800 feet, in the unincorporated area of Monterey County. The Board desired to limit this parking prohibition to an initial two-year trial period to assess effects of limiting parking and to see what provisions may be in place from broader planning efforts of parking for State and Regional Parks. Ordinance No. 5307 provided that that the parking prohibition would automatically terminate two years after becoming operative unless a new ordinance is adopted. In March 2019, Caltrans issued an order prohibiting parking on a state facility, consistent with Ordinance No. 5307. On April 8, 2019, Caltrans issued an encroachment permit to the County for the installation of No Parking signs along said section of State Highway 1. On May 30, 2019, under PLN190123, Zoning Administrator Resolution No. 19-015, the County of Monterey Zoning Administrator adopted findings that the installation of the signs qualifies as a Class 1 Categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA guidelines and approved a Combined Development Permit consisting of a coastal development permit and design approval to allow the installation of said signage. The installation was complete and approved on May 30, 2019, at which time the parking restriction became operative. Staff is returning to the Board for consideration to permanently continue said parking restrictions.
DISCUSSION:
The County has received multiple requests and testimony from local residents, Carmel Highlands Fire Protection District, and other community groups advocating that the County continue the no parking at any time on the east side of State Highway 1, from a point 1800 feet north of the Point Lobos State Park entrance to a point 1800 feet south of the Point Lobos State Park entrance, a distance of 3600 feet. State Park patrons often park along State Highway 1 and cross the highway to access the park, creating potentially unsafe conditions for drivers. This prohibited parking along State Highway 1 potentially stops unsafe pedestrian movement on the state highway at this location. In addition, there are periods with heavy traffic that create issues for public safety access/response.
At the January 29, 2019 Board meeting, concerns were expressed related to limiting access to Point Lobos and the surrounding recreation areas by the removing of parking. According to the Park It! Steering Committee, on behalf of Point Lobos Foundation, Big Sur Land Trust, California State Parks, and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, the parking restriction has not affected attendance at Point Lobos, and that visits to the Reserve have continued to be at or over capacity after installation of the no parking signs, until the Reserve was closed per shelter-in-place orders/COVID-19. To address potential needs for parking in the area, efforts are underway as part of the Carmel Area State Parks General Plan actions to evaluate long-term parking solutions (i.e., Park-It! Initiative). This effort is being coordinated with Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and Big Sur Land Trust who also hold public lands in this area. To date, the Park-It! Initiative has submitted an application to the County for off-site parking in the area known as Marathon Flats, near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Rio Road, and is actively exploring shuttle service linking off-site parking to Point Lobos, Monastery Beach, and San Jose Creek/Palo Corona through potential partnerships with Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) or private vendors. Additionally, Carmel Highlands Fire Protection District and Big Sur Fire support the permanent no parking and cite safety benefits related to keeping visitors and pedestrians from walking across the highway and for providing unobstructed shoulder areas for vehicles to pull off the roadway to allow emergency vehicles to pass through safely and timely.
Per California Vehicle Code Section 22506, Caltrans must approve the parking restriction because it is proposed for a state highway. Accordingly, the restriction previously enacted by ordinance involved coordination and processing with Caltrans related to Caltrans’ issuance of an encroachment permit to install and maintain signs. Per Caltrans’ order of prohibiting parking on state facility, and in discussions with Caltrans, Caltrans will need documentation of the parking restriction extended by ordinance by the Board of Supervisors. Because the signs are currently in place, keeping the signs in place will require minimal processing through Caltrans.
CEQA
The adoption of these ordinances is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15301 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines because the action involves negligible changes to the regulations that govern the existing highways and streets.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Caltrans requires an updated ordinance in order to process the continuation of the State Highway 1 parking prohibition. County Counsel has approved the ordinance as to legal form.
FINANCING:
Traffic control devices and signs were installed when Ordinance No. 5307 was approved. No additional costs are anticipated with this action. If needed, sufficient funds are available in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget for the Road Fund 002, Unit 8195, Appropriation Unit RMA0012 to finance this work.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiative for Infrastructure and Public Safety, Meeting our Facilities, Water, Technology and Transportation Needs. The ordinances will allow for the permanent No Parking at Any Time designation that will improve the quality of life for County residents and support economic development results.
X Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Chad Alinio, Senior Civil Engineer
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Draft Ordinance for State Hwy 1
Attachment B - Location Map
Attachment C - Correspondence/Letters of Support