West Salem Neighborhood Association West Salem High School Student Parking Overflow June 6, 2016 Quent Thomas Settlers Spring Dr Nw
Overflow Parking in West Meadows It has been observed that many students of West Salem High School are frequently parking 70-90 personal vehicles on the West Meadows Estates streets adjacent to the High School (Dutch Oven, Rainsong, Mayfly, Firefly) on days when the school is in operation. On those same days , 40-60 parking spaces in school lots are empty at 10:00 AM In order to better understand the issues, we have spoken with the West Salem High School Administration, the West Salem High School Resource Officer (a Salem police officer), the Salem Parking Enforcement department, The Salem- Keizer School District, and the West Side Neighborhood Association.
Affected Area Adjacent to West Salem HS Google Earth @ Spring 2015
Aerial Photo: Friday, May 27, 2016 88 Vehicles Parked at 11:00 AM (41 homes directly affected now, 3 under construction, and 17 empty lots)
City of Salem Response (ie., Permits, planning, traffic) • The affected streets are public roads and available for public parking subject to the enforcement statutes of the City of Salem. • A Residential Permit (RP) system exists to address excessive non-resident parking issues. • There is apparently no long-term plan for the City of Salem to address parking concerns as the school enrollment continues to increase with continued West- side residential development. They are waiting to see how this area “develops”. • Other Salem High Schools experience similar parking concerns.
High School Response: • The School District relies on the school administration input. • The High School has no active plans for modifying or expanding student parking facilities. • The high school provides approximately 300 “fee - based” parking spaces to students on a “lottery” basis. That space belongs to the student for the school year and may not be used by other students. • The High School Administration works to educate students on being neighborhood “friendly” about parking, ( ie . don’t block garbage can or driveway access, park legally, control litter and noise). • In addition, the Administration and Parking Enforcement express very positive interest toward efforts that will help address the neighborhood concerns and maintain strong neighborhood relations.
Parking Enforcement Response: • During the school year, there may be as many as 600 students requesting parking that cannot obtain it. (~2/3 of 900 driving aged students [Soph/Jr/Sr]) • Although dual-side parking is tight, emergency vehicles can pass, if not, they would push cars aside. • Due to high traffic demands for student busses and private student transportation, it is unlikely that parking can be established along Titan Drive. • Home football games and other sport events can increase street parking at other times. • Where designated “Residential Permit” parking zones are established, many drivers may simply move to the next closest non-designated street and park there. • In other areas, permit holders have been known to give guest passes to students. (a $250.00 infraction! )
Analysis • There appears to be excessive daytime, non-residential parking on school days (“student overflow”). • Some residents have complained to various places (city, police, WHEHOA) • There is impact on construction crews & builders. • The impact on homeowners is growing year-over-year. • No long or short-term plans to address this seem to exist • The City of Salem is waiting for input before acting • School and police enforcement are hoping for solutions • Stressed resident parking availability may impact values • Irritation and conflict may become a general concern that affects school-neighborhood relationships • There is currently a need for about 100 parking spots that might be available from one of more of the following options:
Solutions? Free up parking with multiple options: – Eliminate controlled access school parking (30) – Add parking lot on school campus (40) – Convert fire training lot to all access parking (40) – Utilize “Multiple - Use” zoned area for parking (100) – Establish Alternating-side No-Parking days (50) – Involve students in solution development (??) Create a “Residential Parking Permit” zone Float bond for multi-level parking structure
Proposal 1. Determine the actual level of concern/distress using a neighborhood survey. 2. Report findings back to affected residents, HOA, school, and enforcement personnel 3. If a consensus for action exists, request support from WSNA to request relief from the City of Salem or other sources 4. Work with all parties to implement acceptable solution(s)
Proposed Resident Survey 1. On a scale of 1 to 5, are you being impacted by excessive daytime street parking? Not at all At times Frequently 1 2 3 4 5 If you answered (1- not at all), please skip to question 6. 2. At approximately what times of day? _____________ 3. What is your level of concern to seeing large numbers of cars parked on your street? None Moderate High 1 2 3 4 5 4. Do you think this might impact the value of your home? Not really Maybe Absolutely 1 2 3 4 5 5. Would you be willing to pay Salem $15 annually to obtain a Residential Parking ( RP ) permit (with free guest permits) as a way to control excessive street parking? Yes ____ No____ 6. Regardless of direct impact on your street at this time, what level of concern does it create for you as a member of the HOA? None Moderate Very High 1 2 3 4 5 7. Would you be willing join a petition to the city for designation of an RP Zone? I ’ d consider it No Yes 1 2 3 4 5 8. Are there any other ideas, concerns, or suggestions that you would like to express regarding parking issues on local streets? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
Questions/Comments
Residential Parking Permits : • If residential parking is impacted significantly residents can petition the City of Salem to enact a “Residential Parking Permit” system (1) • Posted signs limit designated public streets to a single, 90-minute period of parking per vehicle, monitored by city Enforcement Officers. • Restricted hours are typically 8 AM – 5 PM. • Residents of designated streets may purchase an annual permit ($15 per vehicle) that allows unlimited use of the street for personal parking. • It also provides for three, free “guest” parking permits for each resident who purchases a residential permit. (1)“…a finding that a residential area is regularly impacted by a substantial number of nonresidential vehicles.” , Salem Revised Code (SRC 102.055)
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