HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-21-2012 - 7d 001
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 21, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-d
SUBJECT: Discussion Regarding Parking Provisions for the Eno River Parking Deck
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
County Attorney
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Manager's Parking Deck Use
Policy
John Roberts, 245-2318
Frank Clifton, 245-2320
PURPOSE: To discuss parking provisions for the Eno River Parking Deck in Hillsborough.
BACKGROUND: The Eno River Parking Deck (the "Deck") was constructed and began
operations in 2009. In order to provide parking to its west campus employees, Orange County
entered into a 40 year lease for 200 spaces in the Deck. During the course of the lease,
substantial disagreement over the terms of the lease arose between the County and the Deck's
owners. This disagreement led to litigation between the parties to determine the rights and
responsibilities of the parties pursuant to the terms of the lease.
In May and June of 2012, after a lengthy mediation, the parties agreed to a settlement. As part
of the settlement, the County agreed to acquire the Deck for $1 million plus two County-owned
properties located on Churton Street in Hillsborough. The County's purchase of the Deck
closed on June 6, 2012 and the County now owns and controls the Deck and its 400 parking
spaces.
Because the Deck was acquired during the Board of Commissioners' summer break, no
decisions regarding parking administration for the deck have been made. For this reason the
Manager implemented an interim parking deck use policy. Among other things the policy
provides that all parking spaces are free. It is highly unusual for a parking deck to provide free
daily parking, although free parking on weekends is not unusual.
On a daily basis there is limited demand for parking in downtown Hillsborough due to the
availability of numerous free on-street spaces. This limited demand will likely be affected by
two things going forward. First, the Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners is
considering removing many free spaces on Churton Street as part of a traffic improvement plan.
Second, due to the needs of the State's courts which operate in the Orange County Justice
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Center several days per month, there is a high demand for parking spaces that the lot adjacent
to the Orange County Justice Center cannot accommodate. The courts' needs will likely
increase in the future. These factors may combine to increase the demand for parking.
The Town of Hillsborough recently issued zoning compliance for the Orange County Justice
Center. The zoning compliance letter indicates that, between the County properties situated
along Margaret Lane east and west of Churton Street, a total of 591 parking spaces are needed
and that the County controls 656. In addition to charging some reasonable rate for parking,
these numbers indicate the County could also enter into contracts for monthly parking for some
65 parking spaces. The prior owners of the deck charged $1 per hour up to a maximum of $5
per day for parking and contracted with individuals for specific leased spaces at a rate of
between $20 and $40 per month.
Some examples of local parking costs are as follows:
Chapel Hill: Wallace Deck— $.50 per half hour up to 4 hours, $1 per hour for 4-17 hours.
Rosemary Lot — $.65 per half hour up to 4 hours, $1.30 per hour from 4-6
hours, $1.80 per hour for 6 or more hours.
Durham: Chapel Hill Street Garage — $1 per hour or portion thereof up to a maximum $8
per day with contract spaces for $55 or $70 per
month depending on location.
Church Street Garage — $2 per hour for the first hour, then $1 per hour up to a
maximum of $10 with contract spaces for $55 or $70
per month depending on location.
Due to the lower demand in downtown Hillsborough, rates similar to those of the above-listed
lots and decks would probably not be viable for the Eno River Parking Deck. Regardless, a
pay-to-park system already exists in the Deck and it may or may not be worthwhile to utilize it.
If the BOCC determines a paid parking system is not appropriate, the current free parking
system can be implemented on a permanent basis.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Annual operational costs of the Deck are estimated to be between
$20,000 and $25,000. Establishing a per-space cost may help offset the operational cost of
the Deck.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board discuss the options for
administering the Deck and provide direction staff for the implementation of an administrative
plan.
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HILLSBOROUGH
NORTH CAFZOLINA
Manager's Office �sf¢�js�eo�17S2
Date: 7/9/12
Memo To: Orange County Staff
From: Frank Clifton, County Manager
RE: Eno River Parking Deck Use Policy
Orange County purchased the Eno River Parking Deck on luly 6, 2012. The following represent the use
policies for public and County employee use.
The use guidelines are as follows:
1. All spaces within the deck will be available at no cost.
2. No unauthorized overnight parking is allowed. All privately owned vehicles left unattended
longer than 24 hours are subject to towing at the owner's expense.
3. Speed limit signs will be posted throughout the deck. Please adhere to the posted speed. The
elimination of fees to park is likely to increase the number of vehicles using the deck and
adhering to posted speeds will help avoid fender benders or pedestrian accidents.
4. Employees are asked to continue parking behind the gates on the upper and ground levels of
the parking deck. Blue hang tags should be displayed on the mirror of your vehicle. Contact
Tammy Comar(919-245-2657) for a replacement or new tag as may be necessary. County
vehicles should continue to park off-site until further notice:
5. Employees from other buildings coming to the V1/est Campus for meetings, etc. will be
considered "public" as it respects parking.
6. The public will be allowed to park throughout all ungated areas.
7. Be aware of your surroundings when walking on the deck. You are encouraged to use the
buddy system when possible. Although cameras will be deployed, they are not a substitute for
your safety, so please exercise caution, particularly during evening hours. The deck is lighted
during periods of dusk and darkness during the fall and winter months. However, the top deck
lights are timed to go off after 10:OOpm to limit light pollution for the residences adjacent to the
deck.
AREA CODE (919) 245-2300 • 688-7331 • FAX (919) 644-3004
Ext. 2300