Title
Consider and take action on Ordinance 2026-41, an ordinance designating parking spaces at Hometown Heroes Park as follows: Five spaces designated for the exclusive use of vehicles transporting persons with disabilities; Four spaces designated for senior programming; the foregoing Nine spaces to be reserved for their respective designated uses from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on weekdays and available for general use at all other times; One space designated for veteran parking; and One space designated for expectant mothers parking; providing for the posting of signs, exceptions, penalties, savings, severability, repealer, publication, and an effective date - Second Reading (Director of Parks and Cultural Services)
Council approved first reading, 8-0-0, on September 22, 2026, with an amendment.
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. on weekdays in proposed Zone E as represented in Exhibit A. Staff also proposes converting 4 existing regular spaces to senior-designated parking, also time-stamped from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays in the same zone. These changes would not increase the total number of parking spaces but would increase handicap parking from 22 to 27 spaces, and additional van loading and unloading area and provide 4 designated senior spaces, 1 expectant mother space, and 1 additional veteran parking space.
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. Exhibit A identifies the existing and proposed handicap parking locations. Staff collected 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, along with the 30-day utilization data, provides 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.
At the September 22, 2026 Council meeting, Council approved the ordinance on first reading and amended the item to include one space for expectant mothers and one space for veterans in the same area.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance 2026-41
2. Exhibit A - Hometown Heroes Parking Spaces
CONTRACT ORIGINATION:
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