2021-037 University Area Parking ConcernsDate: June 18, 2021 Report No. 2021-037
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
University Area(s) Parking Concerns
BACKGROUND:
Historically, street-parking in neighborhoods near the University of North Texas and Texas
Women’s University by people going to and from campus has caused residents to voice frustration.
This on-street parking causes crowded conditions that are unsafe to pedestrians and drivers, and
difficult to navigate for public safety (Fire Department) and other large, city service equipment
such as Solid Waste and Streets vehicles. Residents recently reached out to the City because people
parking on their street have damaged or moved their solid waste and recycling carts from the front
of their residences causing Solid Waste to miss their collection.
The adopted fire code requires clear widths on streets. Roads under 20-feet in width are prohibited
and the code sections below address roads 20- to 32-feet in width. For roads over 32-feet in width,
there are no requirements.
2012 International Fire Code D103.6.1 Roads 20 to 26 feet in width. Fire lane signs as
specified in Section D103.6 shall be posted on both sides of fire apparatus access roads
that are 20 to 26 feet wide.
2012 International Fire Code D103.6.2 Roads more than 26 feet in width. Fire lane
signs as specified in Section D103.6 shall be posted on one side of fire apparatus access
roads more than 26 feet wide and less than 32 feet wide.
To better define areas with university parking impacts, staff noted that residential neighborhoods
as outlined below primarily experience these issues. The City developed several potential
solutions that can serve as a framework for consideration when presented with resident concerns
about on-street parking.
Date: June 18, 2021 Report No. 2021-037
Date: June 18, 2021 Report No. 2021-037
DISCUSSION:
As presented in the map below, the residential streets in the area are primarily less than 28’ wide,
which makes the driving area very narrow when vehicles are parked curbside along both sides of
the street.
Many of the cars are parked very close (sometimes overlapping) to driveway entrances or blocking
mailboxes and fire hydrants causing issues for residents getting to and from their homes,
emergency access to hydrants, receiving mail delivery, and having a suitable location for their
solid waste and recycling carts and yard waste and bulk materials to be placed.
The City formed an internal team to discuss the parking issues, and develop potential solutions
that address the resident and any operational or access concerns. Three options are presented
below. Costs to implment these solutions may vary due to length of street segment, number of
driveways, etc.:
1. Provide enhanced “No Parking” and other markings along the curb
a. Description: The City provides curb paint to notify people parking along the street
of limitations near driveways, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. The markings along
Date: June 18, 2021 Report No. 2021-037
the entrances to driveways would extend far enough to allow for proper spacing of
Solid Waste and Recycling Carts.
b. Concern: People parking along the street may disregard the curb paint.
c. Cost Considerations: This is the most-costly option due to on-going maintenance
of paint
2. Install “No Parking” zones on one side of the street
a. Description: One side of the street is closed for on-street parking, allowing for a
wider roadway for vehicles, including public safety and Solid Waste, to travel on
the road. Staff recommends forming a criterion for determining which side of the
street would be designated no parking, such as the side with the fire hydrants or
most number of driveways. These no parking designations would be adopted by
ordinance and could include certain days and times when on-street parking is not
allowed.
b. Concern: Some residents may be concerned that they are no longer able to park in
front of their own home (if their side is designated no parking), or may be upset
that people are allowed to continue to park in front of their home, but not on the
other side.
c. Cost Considerations: Initially, there would be a cost for the pole, no parking sign,
and installation. However, following that initial cost, there is minimal maintenance
costs.
3. Residential Permit Parking
a. Description: The City would issue a defined number of parking permits per
household for on-street parking. Additionally, staff would install signs and poles to
notify the public of the restrictions. No other on-street parking would be allowed in
the area.
b. Concern: Identifying a system and department for permit distribution to ensure that
it is being applied and enforced equally.
c. Cost Considerations: Initially, there would be a cost for the pole, permit parking
sign, and installation. There would be ongoing cost for printing and distributing
parking permits.
Additionally, this option would be difficult to enforce at the current staffing levels
using existing Public Safety Officers. If the parking permit option were to be
considered, staff would need to determine additional costs associated with
enforcement staff.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends partnering with both Universities to perform a parking assessment study that
would help assess the current situation and help identify potential solutions. Staff estimates that a
study of this nature would cost $50,000-$75,000 and would include (but is not limited to):
Determine on campus parking capacity,
Date: June 18, 2021 Report No. 2021-037
Determine utilization rate of current parking capacity,
Identifying potential roadblocks or concerns that the campus community may have that
causes them to not utilize on-campus opportunities,
Other issues that may help to find a solution that is beneficial to the concerned residents,
the universities, and the City.
Staff would then discuss these and other potential solutions with the City Council to received
direction on a set of options for neighborhoods who request a solution to on-street parking in their
neighborhood.
STAFF CONTACT:
Daniel Kremer
Deputy Director of Operations
(940) 349-7193
Daniel.Kremer@cityofdenton.com
Stuart Birdseye
Assistant to the City Manager
(940) 349-8009
Stuart.Birdseye@cityofdenton.com