Title
Consider and take action on an ordinance of the City of League City, Texas, designating up to five (5) parking spaces at Hometown Heroes Park for the exclusive use of vehicles transporting persons with disabilities, between the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on weekdays, and for general use of vehicles outside those times; providing for the posting of signs; providing exceptions; providing a penalty; and providing for savings, severability, repealer, publication, and an effective date (Director of Parks and Cultural Services)
Background:
Staff evaluated the need for additional handicap parking at Hometown Heroes Park in response to observed parking usage and a petition from park users. Under applicable City ordinances and State requirements, the park is required to provide a minimum of 469 parking spaces, including 13 handicap spaces. Hometown Heroes Park currently provides 629 parking spaces, including 23 handicap spaces and 3 designated Veteran parking spaces. This represents 160 spaces above the minimum parking requirement and 10 handicap spaces above the minimum required.
Staff proposes converting 6 existing regular parking spaces to 5 additional handicap spaces, with one designated as a van loading and unloading area, time-stamped from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m in proposed Zone E as represented in attachment. Staff also proposes converting 6 existing regular spaces to senior-designated parking, also time-stamped from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m in the same zone. These changes would not increase the total number of parking spaces but would increase handicap parking from 23 to 28 spaces, and additional van loading and unloading area and provide 6 designated senior spaces.
The proposed handicap spaces are located along the shortest and most direct route to the building and primary activity areas, providing improved access for individuals with mobility limitations. An attachment identifies the existing and proposed handicap parking locations. Staff collected actual handicap parking utilization data over a 30-day period, which is provided as a separate attachment to document parking demand and usage patterns.
A petition requesting additional handicap parking was also submitted with 153 signatures, providing additional information regarding the demand for accessible parking at the facility.
Programming needs were also considered. Senior programming generally occurs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while evenings and weekends are primarily programmed for amateur athletics classes, practices, and games. Hometown Heroes Park averages 245 seniors a day with senior program participation at 568 a day. Seniors on average participate in 2 programs a day when they visit Hometown Heroes Park. The proposed 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. time restrictions are intended to accommodate daytime senior programming and van loading/unloading needs while allowing the spaces to return to general parking use during evening and weekend activities.
We will continue to monitor the parking demand and bring forward additional changes if warranted.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Ordinance
2. Accessible parking data
3. Petition for additional handicap parking
4. Map for existing and proposed parking
FUNDING
{ } Funds are available from Account #________
{ } Requires Budget Amendment to transfer from Account #______ to Account #______
{ X } NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{ } Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # ______
{ } NOT APPLICABLE