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Request from Senior Traffic Engineer to prepare an ordinance to prohibit parking along the west side of Ludington Avenue from Jackson Park Boulevard to approximately 84-feet north of Jackson Park Boulevard
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A. Issue
Parking along the west side of Ludington Avenue to the north of Jackson Park Boulevard blocks a safe line of sight for motorists exiting Jackson Park Boulevard.
B. Background/Options
This item is a follow-up to a 90-day trial authorized by the Transportation Affairs Committee on May 9, 2023.
Parking is currently prohibited along the east side of Ludington Avenue. The west side of Ludington Avenue is currently restricted to two-hour parking from 9:00am to 6:00pm except Sundays and holidays.
Increased on-street parking demand has resulted in a higher frequency of vehicles parking along Ludington Avenue. Staff received a request from a resident along Jackson Park Boulevard to prohibit parking along a portion of the west side of Ludington Avenue due to poor lines of sight toward oncoming traffic at the intersection.
State statute already prohibits parking within 15-feet of a crosswalk. Due to the angle of the intersection, and due to a small buffer between parking lanes and travel lanes, staff has determined that additional parking should be prohibited along the west side of Ludington Avenue, north of Jackson Park Boulevard, to provide for safe lines of sight. More specifically, staff is recommending the parking changes as shown in the attached exhibit and summarized as follows.
• Prohibit parking along the west side of Ludington Avenue from Jackson Park Boulevard to approximately 84-feet north of Jackson Park Boulevard.
This change will result in a reduction of approximately two on-street public parking spaces abutting 2263 Ludington Avenue. A letter was mailed to the 2263 Ludington Avenue property owner in advance of the May 9, 2023 meeting for the 90-day trial as well as in advance of the September 12, 2023 meeting recommending an ordinance change.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2 - Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety.
D. Fiscal Impact
Minor expenses were incurred during the authorized 90-day trial for in-house creation and installation of signs as well as removal of existing signs where applicable. Existing sign budget accommodated these expenses. No additional expenses necessary to approve the parking changes.
E. Recommendation
Direct staff to prepare an ordinance for introduction at Council prohibiting parking along the west side of Ludington Avenue from Jackson Park Boulevard to approximately 84-feet north of Jackson Park Boulevard.
Exhibit: Proposed Parking Prohibition along Ludington Avenue
