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Consideration of request from Engineering Division to remove parking restrictions on the west side of 113th Street from Center Street to Clarke Street, the west side of 114th Street from 190-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street, and the east side of 115th Street from 195-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street following completion of a 90-day trial
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Submitted by:
Michael May, PE, PTOE, RSP1
Department:
DPW-Engineering
A. Issue
The Transportation Affairs Committee, in response to an Alderperson Agenda Item Memo, requested a parking trial in September 2024 to ease parking restraints in the area of Wauwatosa West High School.
B. Background/Options
The Transportation Affairs Committee, at its September 2024 meeting and in response to an Alderperson Agenda Item Memo, directed staff to perform a 90-day trail to remove parking restrictions on the west side of 113th Street, west side of 114th Street, and east side of 115th Street.
The 90-day trial officially began the week of September 25th. Staff tracked parking occupancy on adjacent streets with four “before trial” and four “during trial” observations. These observations were performed to compare how a change in parking restrictions may impact where people park. Table 1 shows the average number of vehicles observed to be parked on each block before and during the trial.
Table 1
Average Observed Parked Vehicles by Street
As shown in Table 1:
• 113th Street, from Center Street to Clarke Street, saw negligible change in average observed parked vehicles; and
• 114th Street and 115th Street, from Center Street to Clarke Street, saw the largest increase in average observed parked vehicles;
• 116th Street, from Center Street to Clarke Street, and Clark Street, from 113th to 116th Street, saw the largest decrease in average observed parked vehicles;
• Designated student parking within the Wauwatosa West High School parking lot saw negligible change with approximately 30% to 33% of student parking remaining unused.
Table 2 shows the maximum number of vehicles observed to be parked on each block before and during the trial.
Table 2
Maximum Observed Parked Vehicles by Street
The parking trial posed challenges for those who would pick-up and drop-off students from their vehicles along 114th Street and 115th Street. More specifically, spaces that had turned-over before the trial were now fully occupied by long-term parked vehicles, creating less space for pick-up and drop-off near the schools.
Based on the results of this study, staff recommends removing parking restrictions on the west side of 113th Street from Center Street to Clarke Street, the west side of 114th Street from 190-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street, and the east side of 115th Street from 195-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
N/A
D. Fiscal Impact
Minor expenses for the installation or removal of signs.
E. Recommendation
Direct staff to prepare an ordinance to remove parking restrictions on the west side of 113th Street from Center Street to Clarke Street, the west side of 114th Street from 190-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street, and the east side of 115th Street from 195-feet south of Center Street to Clarke Street.
Approximate Location of Recommended Parking Modifications
