PPSARC Recommendation - 18th StreetCITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
PARKING AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ADVISORY RESOUORCE COMMITTEE MEETING
RECOMMENDATION FOR PRESENTATION TO THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION TO RECONFIGURE PUBLIC PARKING AT THE 18TH STREET BEACH ACCESS
AGENDA ITEM: Recommendation to the City of Atlantic Beach City Commission to
direct City staff to reconfigure public parking at the 18th Street
beach access.
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Tari, Co -Chair — PPSARC
REPORT DATE: 4th of February 2019
BACKGROUND: The Parking and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Resource Committee
(PPSARC) is charged with evaluating and making recommendations
to improve pedestrian safety within the City. Its primary focus
is to make the streets of Atlantic Beach safer. In this effort the
committee has made every effort to insure its recommended
actions in safeguarding the public created a minimum impact on
both access to our beaches and the integrity and character of
Atlantic Beach neighborhoods.
At the regularly scheduled 15 November 2018 meeting of the
Atlantic Beach City Commission the PPSARC's recommendation to
reconfigure parking on 18th Street to establish a pedestrian
pathway along the North side of the street and change the
present "nose -in" parking to parallel with a resulting loss of
approximately 20 parking spaces.
The staff report submitted at that same meeting agreed a
pathway was desired but noted anticipated problems associated
with the parallel parking in general and loss of public parking
spaces.
The Commission sent the recommendation back to the PPSARC
with instructions to: 1) Reconsider parking with no net loss of
parking in the 18th Street area. 2) Consider feasibility of sidewalk
on either side of the street. 3) Consider no parallel parking on the
north side if street remains a two way street. 4) If
recommendation reduces parking spots from 18th St., identify
equal number of "new" parking spaces in the area. "New" spots
would not include those currently designated as parking. 5)
Parking across the street on Saturiba can be considered "new". 6)
Consider the possible calming effect of paid parking. 7) Consider
traffic calming devices such as speed bumps and additional
signage on 18th
Members of the PPSARC and its 18th, 19th, and 201h St Sub-
committee participated in a Commission sponsored "workshop"
as well as regular meetings of both the full PPSARC and the sub-
committee. In addition to comments made by the public during
these meetings, e-mails and other correspondence received by
the PPSARC either directly or from Commission members and
staff were reviewed.
Public comments included anecdotal evidence of vehicles backing
out of the nose -in parking striking and killing a pet, striking
children, narrowly missing darting children in the traffic
throughway, and vehicles ignoring the stop signs at the four-way
stop on 18th and Seminole. These comments further affirmed the
PPSARC's initial findings that the present configuration of 18th
street poses potentially serious threats to pedestrians.
As documented in Attachment (1), the PPSARC compared the
parking inventory compiled by its members shortly after the
inception of the committee with the parking inventory used by
Olsen Associates in ascertaining Beach Re -nourishment funding.
That comparison reflects the Olsen data did not accurately
document the presence of at least 72 marked Public Access
parking spots between 2nd and 20th Street.
After reviewing the data, it was clear to PPSARC members the
removal of 20 parking spaces on 18th St to accommodate its initial
parallel parking recommendation would not adversely affect the
Beach Re -nourishment contract. Members of the committee
expressed concern that Duval County may be paying a
disproportionate share for the re -nourishment based upon the
"non -counting" of the actual public parking spots in the City.
While the committee's recommendation to remove 20
parking spaces from the Atlantic Beach inventory could be seen as
an attempt to limit public access to our beautiful beaches that
as not and has never been either the intent or the desire of the
committee. As with our recommendation to relocate the shower
from the NW corner of Beach Ave. and 18th, our primary concern
was to address serious safety considerations while leaving staff
flexibility in implementing our recommendations. The
Commission's request that the committee revisit this issue and
assist in the identification of alternative parking therefore, was
most welcome. The results of our deliberations are reflected
below.
The PPSARC's initial parking inventory identified existing AND
POTENTIAL parking spots throughout the City. Without accurate
property descriptions reflecting the existing right-of-ways,
possible waivers and with the ongoing re -write of the Parking
Ordinance in progress, the PPSARC felt staff would be better able
to identify parking in multiple areas of the city to offset the loss
proposed.
There may be other historical information not presented in this
chronology and not available at the time of the drafting of this
report.
JUSTIFICATION: The "Justification" portion of Attachment (2), the previously
provided recommendation to reconfigure parking on 18th Street,
remains valid and is even more relevant when considering the
latest anecdotal evidence concerning hits and near misses of
pedestrians and pets by vehicles on 18th St. While respectful of
the staff's concerns relating to parallel parking, as over half of the
existing parking in Atlantic Beach is parallel, the PPSARC believes
the safety issues associated with nose -in or diagonal parking
specifically along 18th street outweigh these concerns.
While we had no reported instances where the congestion
experienced on 18th St seriously impacted the ability of
emergency vehicles to respond either to the beach access or the
neighboring communities between 1711 and 19th the committee is
aware of at least one instance where emergency vehicles had
improperly parked vehicles prevent them from taking the most
direct route to the emergency.
In response to the specific concerns of the Commission which
prompted it to send the committee's recommendation back for
further review, the following is provided:
1. No Net Loss in the "181 St" area
Attachment (3) is a listing of suggested "new" parking
between 2nd St. and 20th and identifies 95-114 spaces. With
the exception of parking at Waters Park and on the triangular
lot between 15th and Seminole, all spaces were within one
block of Beach Ave and generally less than two blocks from
any given beach access. Abundant "new" parallel parking is
available on Saturiba from Seminole to Selva Grande to offset
the recommended losses at 18th St however the PPSARC
believes introducing parking on Saturiba could have a
significant negative impact on neighborhoods adjacent to
Saturiba.
2. Sidewalk Placement
Pathways solely on the south side or pathways crossing from
north to south at Ocean Grove unnecessarily place
pedestrians in the flow of traffic. With a paved width of
approximately 47' and an additional 2-3' of unpaved space,
pathways of 4' width could be placed on both south side of
the street between Ocean Grove and Beach Ave. and nearly 6'
wide on the north while still providing 20' minimum for two
way traffic and parallel parking on both sides of the street.
Should future budgets allow, construction of a low 2=3'
retaining wall with seating and landscaping, would result in an
additional 34 of width. The added width could be used to
either widen the traffic lanes or create even wider pathways.
3. No Parallel parking on North side if two-way
Regardless of whether 18th is one way or two way, any
configuration of nose -in or diagonal parking on 18th fails to
address the fundamental safety issue resulting from
beachgoers loading and off-loading their vehicles in the street.
As noted above, even with pathways on both sides of the
street, 18th will have wider two-way traffic lanes than present
and also will have clearly defined pathways directing
pedestrian traffic off the traffic lanes. If the Commission
determines one-way traffic is desired, the PPSARC suggests
that traffic direction be from east to west. It is reluctant to
endorse such an action however unless making 18th St one-
way is a part of a City-wide re -orientation of streets.
4. No Net Loss "in the area"
The PPSARC had a definitional problem with this request.
If the Commission defines "in the area" as anywhere in the
City between Beach and Ocean, is the PPSARC's contention
that spreading the "new" parking throughout the city will
result in minimal impact of neighborhoods already having
public parking. The re -identification of nine "official use only"
parking spaces as "public" will negate the necessity for nearly
half of the non -park identified "new" spots and further
minimize the impact of additional "new" parking on any given
neighborhood.
If, instead, the Commission defines "in the area" as anything
within 1/3 mile of the 18th St beach access, a re -design of
parking at Waters Park, the park on Deweese and Coquina
along with some of the identified "new" spaces between 17th
and 20th will meet their request.
S. "New" parking on Saturiba
With a combined street width and right-of-way measurement
of 100', "new" parking along Saturiba could easily be designed
to offset all of the "lost" spaces on 18th. The PPSARC is
hesitant to recommend this as a viable alternative not only
because of the potential negative impact on the adjoining
neighborhoods but also because occupants from vehicle
parking along Saturiba would need to cross over Seminole to
get to the beach access. The PPSARC has both anecdotal and
documented evidence of vehicles ignoring the stop signs at
18th and Seminole. This supports concerns by residents that
the resulting increase in crosswalk traffic will give rise to an
even greater risk of injuries resulting from drivers who "fail to
stop."
6. Paid Parking impact
The PPSARC has no specific information on what effect, if any,
would result should the City initiate Pay -for -Parking for 18th
street. Statements from staff indicate other cities may have
experienced lower volumes of traffic once Pay -for -Parking was
instituted. Concerns expressed by citizens in the area are that
Pay -for -Parking may result in less cars at any given time but
more cars over the day as beachgoers leave when their time
expires. It is the PPSARC's contention that Pay -for -Parking
will have little if any impact on safety considerations at 18th St.
7. Traffic calming devices/signage
Traffic calming devices and signage have proven to be
effective in traffic and pedestrian control. We believe their
usage at 18th St to maintain separation of traffic and direct
pedestrian traffic off the middle of the street is essential.
BUDGET: Budgetary impact has not been determined at this time but is
expected to be minimal. The primary expenses will be the
remarking of parking spaces and defining pathways on both the
north and south sides of 18th. Additional potential expenses
include installation of "traffic delineators" (Attachment 4) down
the center of 1811 between Seminole and Ocean Grove and Ocean
Grove and Beach and appropriate Pedestrian signage instructing
them to stay on the pathways and off the street. Landscaping to
include the center median, retaining walls as well as defining the
pathways with permeable pavers could be incorporated in
subsequent City budgets.
RECOMMENDATION: The PPSARC recommends the City Commission adopt the
following measures to improve the 18th St Beach Access area:
1. Create a public pathway on the north side of 18th St between
Seminole Rd and Beach Ave. Initially reflective paint, curb
stops, railroad ties, gravel, sand or any other readily available
material could be used to define the walkway. Future budget
cycles could create a more permanent permeable walkway
with landscaping.
2. Create a similarly designed public pathway on the south side
of 18th St. between Ocean Grove and Beach Ave.
3. Restripe with hi -visibility paint all parking on 18th St between
Seminole Road and Beach Ave. to parallel parking.
4. Incorporate bicycle, motorcycle and scooter parking as space
allows.
5. Dedicate one ADA van accessible parking space at the NW
corner of 18th St and Beach Ave creating better sight lines at
the intersection. Move the second existing ADA van
accessible space to the 19th St. beach access parking.
6. Paint crosswalks connecting the beach access stairs to the
newly created pathways on the north and south sides of 181h
St. and use in -street signage to alert motorists to the potential
for pedestrian/vehicle traffic interaction.
7. Place traffic delineators between Seminole and Ocean Grove
and Ocean Grove and Beach Ave. on 18th to identify clearly
defined east and west traffic lanes.
8. Place appropriate signage on delineators and at the base of
the beach access stairway directing pedestrian traffic to use
pathways.
9. Widen the stairs of the 18th St. beach access stairway and
move the stairway back at least 8' from the curb and
intersection.
10. Direct City staff, utilizing Attachment (3) and other available
records to identify appropriate "new" parking spaces meeting
the Commission's "no -net -loss" requirements.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Parking Inventory Comparison
2. 24 September 2018 PPSARC recommendation
3. Possible "New Parking" locations
4. Example of traffic delineators
PRESENTATIONS: Available on request
Olsen fm 2014 photos/Observations of PPSARC
Location
Reg
ADA
Official
Bike +/-
Beach Coverage
2nd
2/0
0/0
0/0
0/0
-2
Overlapping coverage
3rd
0/2
0/1
0/0
0/4
+4
Overlapping coverage
4th
2/2
0/0
0/0
0/6
+1.5
Overlapping coverage
5th
4/2
0/1
0/1
0/4
+1
Overlapping coverage
6th
0/2
0/1
0/0
2/4
+3.5
Overlapping coverage
7th (Ocean to Beach)
0/6
0/0
0/1
0/0
+7
Overlapping coverage
7th (Ocean to E.Coast)
0/6
0/0
0/0
0/0
+6*
Overlapping coverage
Adele Grage
17/21
0/1
0/0
0/4
+6
Overlapping coverage
Beach (7th to Club)
0/14
0/0
0/0
0/0
+14
Overlapping coverage
10th (to Ocean)
10/14
0/0
0/0
18/8
+1.5**
under revision for ADA
ramp
11th
4/4
2/2
0/0
5/4
-.5
0
12th
2/2
0/0
0/0
5/4
-.5
-33
13th
1/0
0/1
0/0
5/4
-.5
-150'
14TH
2/2
0/0
0/0
0/4
+1
-250'
15TH
6/10
0/0
0/1
0/6
+6.5
-200'
Waters Park
11/25
0/0
0/0
0/0
+14
(+800')
16TH
0/0
0/0
0/0
2/2
0
0
17th (Dewees/Coquina)
2/5
0/0
0/1
0/0
+4
(+240')
18th
48/49
0/2
0/2
9/6
+4.25
(+240)
19th
16/14
0/0
0/2
7/6 2MC
+.75
(+50) 270' Overlap
20th
5Z5
0/0
0/0
2/4
+_5
+30'
TOTAL SPACES (2nd _ 201h)
134/185
2/9
0/8
55/70 + 2MC
+72
MC = Motorcycle/Scooter
* Parking spaces routinely used during voting and Adele Grage functions
**Does not reflect leased parking spaces for condos on NE corner of 10th and Beach
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
PARKING AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ADVISORY RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING
RECOMMENDATION FOR PRESENTATION TO THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION TO RECONFIGURE PUBLIC PARKING AT THE 18TH STREET BEACH
ACCESS
AGENDA ITEM: Recommendation to the City of Atlantic Beach City Commission
to direct City staff to reconfigure public parking at the 18th
Street beach access.
SUBMITTED BY: John M. Stinson, Chair -
REPORT DATE: 24th of September 2018
BACKGROUND: The Parking and Pedestrian`-SafetyAluisory Resource
Committee is charged with evaluating aid making
recommendations,to improve pedestrian% afety within the City.
Excluding public "arking areal within the boundaries of
Kathryn Abbey f4imna Park, the 18th` treet beach access public
parkingis arguably the= second largest public parking in Duval
Asp recently�as 2012 and perhaps later, the public parking area
at the_�18th Str -it,'Beach Access was expanded by simple
stripngchanges4f parking spaces, adding some 10 or so
addit nal parking�spaces. Many of these added spaces are
encroaching on legal boundaries and distance limitations to
street iri Wsections.
There is' a misconception that the City of Atlantic Beach is
required to provide the 50+ parking spaces at the 18th Street
access to qualify for beach dune restoration funding awarded
by the US Army Corp of Engineers. In fact, only 40 of these
parking places are included in the calculation for beach dune
restoration funding. Further, documents governing the beach
dune restoration funding, appear to limit the number of
qualifying parking spaces at any one beach access to a
maximum of 25 spaces.
Present day configuration of parking is described as:
1. Seven (7) parallel parking spaces on the south side of
181h Street, between Ocean Grove Drive and Beach
Avenue, aligned for eastbound traffic, and:
2. Forty-six (46) perpendicular parking spaces on the
north side of 18th Street, between Seminole Road and
Beach Avenue, aligned for either east or westbound
traffic use.
There may be other historical information, not presented in
this chronology and not available at the time of the drafting of
this report.
JUSTIFICATION: By the very nature of its creation and charge, the Parking and
Pedestrian Safety Advisory Resource Committee, the P2SARC
has focused many efforts on ensuring pedestrian -safety,
particularly when the interacton,between pedestrians and
cyclists comes in close proximity to vehicular traffic. _
reducedwidth causes narrow traffic lanes and "too close
am,fort" passage of vehicles when opposing traffic is
Considef,lso there is no sidewalk anywhere on 181h Street
between�eminole Road and Beach Avenue or the beach access
stairs and ramp. Without any sidewalk or offset whatsoever
from the end of private property to the beginning of public
parking, forces residents and visitors to use 181h Street as their
-sidewalk" to get to the beach access stairs and ramp, further
reducing the useable street width to something far less than
the aforementioned 19'.
The current configuration causes problems such as blocked
traffic on the entire street while vehicles and drivers are
negotiating perpendicular parking, beach goers unloading
beach items directly into the street in preparation for going to
or returning from the beach, the beach access stairs empties
directly onto the 18th Street and Beach Avenue intersection,
and until the shower relocation is accomplished, bystanders
are standing in the intersection waiting to use the shower.
The PPSARC has spent considerable effort and research into
improving the 181h Street Beach Access are using the criteria of
improving public safety, improving public access to the beach,
to make no recommendation that would negatively affect
beach dune restoration funding and that would not
significantly shift traffic into other nearby neighborhoods.
Implementing the recommendations herein fits well within the
visioning process completed by the City Commission earlier
this year and contributes to improved safety for pedestrians
and motor vehicle interactions and'continues to provide ease
of access to the beach.
parking;
3. "Maximize bicycle, motorcycle and scooter parking as
space allows;
4,1-` Dedicate one "authorized vehicle" parking space at the
southwest corner of 18th Street and Beach Avenue,
creating better sight lines and minimizing the number
of public parking spaces not served by the creation of a
pedestrian walkway;
5. Dedicate one ADA van accessible parking space at the
northwest corner of 18th Street and Beach Avenue,
creating better sight lines at the intersection. Move the
second existing ADA van accessible parking space to the
19th Street beach access parking;
6. Paint a crosswalk from the beach access stairway,
across Beach Avenue, to the newly created pedestrian
walkway, and use in -street signage to alert motorists to
the potential for pedestrian / vehicle traffic interaction;
7. Widen the stairs of the 18th Street beach access stairway
and move the stairway back from the intersection at
least 8' from the curb and intersection (this could be
accomplished in a future budget cycle).
In the interest of full disclosure, the impact of these
recommendations dictates an explanation. First, the
demarcation of a pedestrian walkway and realignment of
parking spaces results in a reduction of 15 spaces at this
beach access. It is believed by the Committee that this
would have limited to no impact on the area during off-
peak times.
Of the 15 lost spaces, 2 spaces could be recaptured by the
addition of motorcycle / scooter parking spots, reducing
the loss to 14 spaces. Additionally, the reconfiguration
would create an additional 10 bicycle spaces, resulting in a
credit of 2.5 spaces, further reducing the lost parking to
11.5 spaces. The PPSARC believes it has identified more
than enough spaces in nearby proximity that are not
currently included in the beach dune restoration funding
calculation, to offset the loss of the 11.5 spaces, thereby
making the net impact to funding nonexistent.
These recommendations create safe paths to the beach for
neighborhood and visitor pedestrians, enhances beach
accessibility for resident bikers, minimizes the impact of
parking on traffic flow, expands the width of 181h Street to
more than 20' which is adequate for two-way traffic
particularly if pedestrians aren't using streets for access,
improves ADA access to the beach by adding an ADA
parking spot where none exists today, and does not
negatively impact beach dune restoration funding.
ATTACHMENTS: None at this time.
PRESENTATIONS: None at this time.
APPROVAL:
,5z,m- 9.,
John M. Stinson, City Commission, Seat No. 2
Possible "NEW" parking spaces in Atlantic Beach, FL
Location # of Spaces
1.
Re -mark all Authorized Vehicle Parking to Public
9*
2.
North side of Ahern east of Beach Ave
3
3.
East side of Ocean btwn 1St and 2nd
2
4.
East side of Ocean btwn 1St and 2nd (further North)
2
5.
North side of 2nd btwn Beach and Ocean
2
6.
South side of 4th btwn Beach and Ocean
3
7.
North side of 5th btwn Beach and Ocean
3
8.
South side of 6th east of Beach
2
9.
North side of 6th btwn Beach and Ocean
3
10.
South side of 11th btwn Beach and Ocean
2
11.
East side of Ocean btwn 11th and 12th
3
12.
South side of 13th btwn Beach and Ocean
2
13.
East side of Beach btwn 14th and 15th
1
14.
South side of 15th btwn Beach and Ocean
2
15.
North side of 15th btwn Seminole and East Coast
2
16.
North side of 15th btwn Beach and Ocean
1
17.
East side of Ocean btwn 15th and 16th
2
18.
East side of Ocean btwn 14th and 15th
2
19.
West side of Beach btwn 15th and 16th
2
20.
Deweese btwn Beach and Coquina (Diagonal)
3
21.
Deweese btwn Beach and Coquina (Parallel)
2
22.
Ocean btwn Deweese and Seminole
5
23.
Water's Park
5-10
This number reflects "new" spaces resulting from a redesign of
Water's Park in order to minimize irregularly shaped parking areas
and maximize diagonal parking opportunities.
24.
East side of Coquina between Shell and Deweese
4
Reflects net gain after changing 3 existing parallel spaces into
diagonal spaces.
25.
West side of Beach btwn Coral and 17th
3
26.
North side of 17th btwn Beach and Seminole
3
27. Saturiba btwn Seminole and Sea Oats 16-30
Parallel or diagonal parking on both sides leaving space for new
driveway on North side proposed by homeowner on NW corner of
Seminole and Saturiba.
28. 19th east of Beach Wheel Chair disability parking only 1
29. NW corner of 19th and Beach WC disability parking only 1
30. West side of Beach btwn 19th and 20th 4
6-8 possible but leave space for future driveways
Total "New" Parking Spaces 95-114
For clarification:
• In compiling this "Commission -requested" identification of potential
"new" parking spaces necessary to offset the loss of the 20 spaces on
18th street, the sub -committee did not have access to specific "right-
of-way" measurements. Consequently, some spaces may not meet
FDOT standards.
• Staff has already removed Authorized Vehicle Parking signage on a
temporary basis.
• We chose not to attempt to identify "motorcycle/scooter" spaces
which could add even more beach access parking.
• With the exception of parking spaces on Saturiba (requested by the
Commission to be addressed) and Waters Park, potential parking to
the west of Ocean was not included.
• Where possible, the committee took efforts to identify "new" parking
spaces which would have minimum impact on the quality of life of
residents and neighborhoods.
• Additionally, "de -facto" spaces (parking which is commonplace
throughout the city and which partially or completely blocks one
direction of traffic flow) were not included.
Flexible Delineators
Flexible delineators are guidance devices that provide protection & visibility in
multiple settings. Used for delineating roads, redirecting pedestrians & motorists,
to improve safety.