Safety, Traffic and Parking (STOP) Committee - 29 May 2024 - Agenda - Pdf.pdf
City of Atlantic Beach
Agenda
Safety, Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
PRIORITIES
Review of Parking Standards
Paid Parking Program
Parking Enforcement
Speed Limit Review *
Uniform Standards for Design of Streets *
Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity and Safety *
(* Vision Zero Action Plan Task Force work)
Page(s)
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
1. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS
2. COMMITTEE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS REVIEW
2.A. Safety, Traffic & Parking Committee Policy Recommendations May 2024
3 - 8
3. VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN DISCUSSION
4. ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be live-streamed and videotaped. The video recording will be posted within
four business days on the City's website. To access live or recorded videos, visit
www.coab.us/live.
Any person wishing to speak to the Safety, Traffic and Parking Committee at this meeting
should submit a request prior to public comment. For your convenience, forms for this
purpose are available at the entrance to the Commission Chamber.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes,
persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting should
contact the City Clerk’s Office at (904) 247-5821 at least three business days prior to the
meeting.
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Safety, Traffic and Parking Committee
Policy Recommendation Summary
May 2024
1. Demarcating Parking Spaces
2. Right-of-Way Obstruction
3. Turf Grid System Parking
4. Paid Parking: Enforcement
5. Paid Parking: Times and seasons for paid parking; fine amounts
6. Paid Parking: Net paid parking revenue
1. Demarcating Parking Spaces
Policy Recommendation
Public parking spaces should be clearly demarcated with signage, striping, or other appropriate
markings. Examples of clearly demarcated spaces are parking spaces that are painted with white lines
on black pavement; parking spaces that are marked with posts and signs; and painted curbs where
parking is prohibited.
Markings shall be of a contrasting color to the surrounding pavement. Parking spaces shall be of a size
that is adequate for the type of vehicle that is intended to be parked in the space. Parking spaces shall
be arranged in a manner that is efficient and safe. While signage is necessitated at times, every effort
should be made to utilize unique striping or a universal public parking symbol, instead. Because of the
city’s unique parking demands, including right-of-way constraints in various areas of the city, the city
should have parking zones.
AREA / ZONE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION POLICY
Beaches Town Center
Zone
North side of Atlantic
Blvd from Third Street
(A1A) east to the Atlantic
Ocean.
Parking spaces should be on paved surfaces
and marked with white lines and pay-for-
parking signage.
Old Atlantic Beach &
Beach Zone
First Street north to city
limit. East of Sherry Drive
and east of Seminole
(north of the Five-way)
1. Parking spaces on the paved right-of-way
should be marked with lines and/or
symbols.
2. Demarcation of public parking availability
on unimproved rights-of-way shall be clear
and discernable; should have signage or be
marked with symbols; and shall not block
line of sight.
3. Demarcation of parking on the street
pavement should follow all Florida statutes
and City of Atlantic Beach codes, with
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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additional signage or marking installed on
case-by-case basis.
All other areas 1. Parking on unimproved rights-of-way shall
not block line of-sight and should follow all
Florida statutes and City of Atlantic Beach
codes, with additional signage or marking
installed on case-by-case basis. Parking on
the street pavement should follow all
Florida statutes and City of Atlantic Beach
codes.
Enforcement
Working in conjunction with other City staff, the Police Department shall be responsible for enforcing
the provisions of this policy. Public Works Department shall be responsible for any demarcation of the
parking spaces, including striping, signage and pavement materials.
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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Exceptions
The City Manager may grant exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. Decisions to do so must
be reported in writing to the City Commission. Exceptions shall only be granted for public safety
concerns.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the demarcating of public parking spaces to ensure
that parking spaces are clearly marked and visible to motorists to ensure that public parking is efficient,
safe, and convenient for motorists.
Benefits of clearly demarcating parking spaces:
1. Improved Parking Efficiency: Clear markings make it easier for drivers to identify vacant parking
spaces, reducing the time spent searching and maneuvering. This leads to a more efficient use of
parking resources and reduced traffic congestion.
2. Enhanced Safety: Properly defined parking spaces help drivers park accurately, reducing the risk of
collisions and property damage. Clear markings also help pedestrians navigate parking areas safely.
3. Accessibility for All: Clearly demarcated parking spaces, including those designated for disabled
individuals and, ensure that all users have access to convenient and accessible parking options.
4. Aesthetics and Orderliness: Clearly demarcated parking spaces create a more organized and
aesthetically pleasing appearance, enhancing the overall environment of parking areas and
surrounding properties.
5. Clear Parking Policies: Clearly marked parking spaces reinforce parking regulations and policies,
making it easier for drivers to understand and comply with parking rules.
6. Reduced Confusion and Frustration: Clear markings eliminate confusion and frustration among
drivers, minimizing the likelihood of parking disputes and conflicts.
7. Enhanced Traffic Flow: Efficient parking contributes to smoother traffic flow, reducing congestion
and delays, especially in high-traffic areas.
8. Improved Pedestrian Safety: Clear markings help separate pedestrian areas from parking spaces,
reducing the risk of collisions, and creating a safer environment for pedestrians.
9. Accessibility for People with Disabilities: Clearly demarcated parking spaces ensure that individuals
with disabilities have easy access to designated parking areas, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
** Note
Recommend creating a QR code to educate the community on parking and location of public parking
spaces.
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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2. Parking Policy: Rights-of-Way Obstruction
Definitions
Per Sec. 19-1, rights-of-way or public rights-of-way means land in which the city owns the fee or has an
easement devoted to vehicular, bicycle and/or pedestrian movement, or required for use as a
transportation facility, as that term is defined in F.S. § 334.03(21), and may lawfully grant access pursuant
to applicable law and includes the surface, airspace over the surface and the area below the surface of
such rights-of-way. "Public rights-of-way" shall not include (a) county, state or federal rights-of-way, (b)
property owned by any person other than the city, (c) service entrances or driveways leading from the
road or street onto adjacent property, or (d) except as described above, any real or personal property of
the city, such as, but not limited to, city parks, buildings, fixtures, conduits, water lines, sewer lines,
facilities or other structures or improvements, regardless of whether they are situated in the
public rights-of-way.
Policy
Plantings, landscaping material or other obstruction within public rights-of way are not permitted per
the city Code Sec. 19-1.
Whenever plantings, landscaping material or other obstruction within public rights-of-way obstruct the
ingress and/or egress of the rights-of-way, they shall be removed upon request by the city, and in the
event of failure by the owner to so move them, the city shall do so and the expense of same charged to
the property owner.
All existing obstructions within the 2-foot safety zone shall be removed (Sec. 19-5). All other plantings,
landscaping material or other obstructions must comply with this section of the code.
Enforcement
Working in conjunction with other City staff, Code Enforcement and Public Works shall be responsible
for enforcing the provisions of this policy.
Exceptions
The City Manager may grant exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. Decisions to do so must
be reported in writing to the City Commission.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish protocols regarding p lantings, landscaping material and other
obstruction within the public rights-of-way that can create safety and operational issues including
interference of public parking, line-of-sight concerns, stormwater conveyance problems, root intrusion
of plants impacting utilities, and damage to public facilities such as sidewalks. The city’s public right-of-
way are to be reserved for public use and plantings and other obstruction will not be permitted. Sod is
the only permitted vegetation allowed upon city approval. Desired plantings can be installed on private
property.
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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3. Turf Grid System Parking
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish protocols regarding turf grid systems for parking, which the city
has identified as being a viable tool in demarcating public parking spaces.
Policy Recommendation
The City should allocate funding annually to improve its turf grid system parking:
• To demarcate public parking spaces counted towards beach renourishment cost-share funding,
where feasible.
• On a case-by-case basis, demarcating public parking spaces in other areas of the City where
unpaved rights-of-way have been customarily utilized for public parking.
Definition
Grass block pavers - also known as turf block pavers or grow-through pavers - are an alternative to
asphalt, concrete, and traditional pavers. They’re made of concrete or recycled plastic with open cells
that allow grass to grow through them. They’re a porous, eco-friendly option for parking areas and
driveways.
4. Paid Parking: Enforcement
Policy Recommendation
The City Commission should budget funds to ensure that parking regulations (i.e. no parking on
sidewalks, near a fire hydrant, on the street near a stop sign, etc.) are adequately enforced.
5. Paid Parking: Times and seasons for paid parking; fine amounts
Policy Recommendation
Paid parking at Beaches Town Center and 18th and 19th streets should operate with the following
stipulations:
• To the greatest extent possible, the Beaches Town Center paid parking program in Atlantic Beach
and Neptune Beach should mirror one another.
• The 18th-19th street paid parking hours should be extended to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m.)
• The fines in Atlantic Beach for overtime parking violations should be identical citywide.
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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6. Paid Parking: Net paid parking revenue
Policy Recommendation
The City shall establish a pay-for-parking enterprise fund for the City’s paid parking program outside of
Beaches Town Center just as it has for Beaches Town Center. This parking fund should be used to pay for
the program’s management and maintenance costs; also, the fund may be used to pay for complete
streets projects; landscape and/or hardscape improvements; alternative transportation solutions; and
to pay for management of the paid parking program.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to create guidance on how net revenue should be spent. Net revenue from
other locations outside of the Beaches Town Center (currently 18th-19th streets) should be structured
like the revenue collected in the Beaches Town Center. This enables the revenue to be reinvested in the
community and not the general fund.
Agenda Item #2.A.
29 May 2024
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