PURPOSE

On February 14, 2006, Council authorized a modification to traffic operation in the alley south of Magnolia Boulevard between Hollywood Way and Cordova Street to install one-way operation in the eastbound direction.  Council further directed staff to evaluate the operation of the alley and report the status after six months.  This memorandum discusses the operating conditions of the alley and associated parking system.

BACKGROUND

Porto�s Bakery opened at the southeast corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way in January 2006.  The opening was accompanied by considerable traffic congestion and parking issues on adjacent streets and parking lots.  The alley and parking system south of Porto�s Bakery was evaluated and several modifications were made to the access and parking system to improve traffic operations and safety in the area.  These improvements included changing the alley to a one-way eastbound operation between Hollywood Way and Cordova Street, widening the alley approach from Hollywood Way, reversing the access direction from Hollywood Way to the public parking south of Magnolia Boulevard, changing the parking design of the public lot, and eliminating the southbound left turns to the one-way alley from Hollywood Way.  The access changes are shown in Attachment 1.

Council directed staff to implement the one-way alley operation on February 14, 2006 and requested staff return to Council with a review of safety and congestion in the alley in about six months.  This report summarizes that review.

ANALYSIS

Staff evaluated the success of the access modifications in several ways: 1) we reviewed accident and enforcement issues with the alley; 2) we periodically observed the alley operations; and 3) we compiled complaints from neighbors or system users during the interim period.  Staff found no accidents associated with the alley operation, and the driver observance of the southbound turn prohibition was found to be good.  The police did report that a recent ticket given for a U-turn at the alley was contested by the ticket recipient, and the trial judge indicated he would observe the alley operation before delivering a ruling.  The judge�s decision could result in some changes to the alley operation or signage.

Staff observed the alley operation on a number of occasions at differing times of the day.  No serious operational issues were observed.  Staff noted that deliveries were occasionally made during the peak morning traffic periods; however, the alley deliveries are legal and did not seem to impact the alley access significantly.  Occasionally, deliveries are stored behind Porto�s Bakery for a period of time, partially within the alley right-of-way.  Delivery storage is not legal, but the stored items did not restrict alley access during any of our observations.

Staff has had no complaints about the alley from either neighbors or the alley users since the modifications were completed in February 2006.

FISCAL IMPACT

Retaining the current one-way alley operation has no fiscal impact.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the one-way eastbound operation in the alley south of Magnolia Boulevard between Hollywood Way and Cordova Street be retained.

Attachment:       1. Alley and Parking Design

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