Dear Laurel-Neary Neighbors,
If you are short on time, please consider just this: The City Council needs to hear from Laurel St. residents and residents of adjacent side streets. Inform the City Council what parking issues actually exist (e.g., limited street parking in this high-density neighborhood; and high-density, often older homes do not have adequate on-site parking for all the residents); nighttime personal safety (e.g., need to park in front of your own home to avoid walking alone in this neighborhood at night), and street-parked-car-safety issues actually exist (e.g., see Nextdoor). If you are short on time, simply send an email that states one way or another, "I live at __________ (address) in the Laurel St. neighborhood directly affected by the red curbs, bollards, and parking removal proposed in the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Plan. I fully Support the Appeal of that Plan and urge the Santa Cruz City Council to reject the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Plan, and rather the City Council should Support the Appeal of the Laurel Street Striping Plan--to avoid any further loss of vital, neighborhood parking, and avoid further encouragement of speeding bicyclists down the steep, Laurel Street hill. Able-bodied cyclists can easily walk their bikes down the steep, Laurel St. hill to easily circumvent all these problems, or they can take the multimillion dollar Rail Trail or Neary Lagoon Trail both just a few blocks away (depicted in the photo above) - Sign your name.
If you don't have time or interest, no need to read further. But if you'd like more info., here it is:
I'm trying hard to protect our vital, neighborhood parking (from complete removal of all parking on Laurel St. between California to Chestnut Street). Residents (and their guests) need to park in front of their own homes--within pre-existing parking limitations--to easily access their own homes from their vehicles for example to move in and move out with all their furniture, etc.; to carry groceries and packages; in inclement weather for all; for families with children in tow; for disabled and elderly folks that need easy, direct access to their homes from their cars; as well as for all to get safely to and from cars after dark especially vulnerable women; and for all not to further risk getting personal vehicles vandalized, stolen, or broken into if they're remotely parked out of view every night. Check out all the problems in this regard on Nextdoor!
Our City Council needs to look out for women, families, disabled, and renters--that seem to be viewed with disdain--as if homeowners are justified to have their own cars but renters aren't, or people that can afford to live alone are entitled to have their own cars but people who can only afford to rent homes shared with others somehow are not as entitled to have their own vehicles. This is a high-density area because there aren't enough homes for everyone to own, and the majority of people can't afford to own homes at current rates. Thus a large percentage of City residents must share with others to afford renting a home here. Furthermore, many homes on and around Laurel St., are around 100 years old without garages, driveways or other onsite parking to accommodate the number of people that currently occupy these homes.
19,000 students come here from out of town to attend UCSC. They take the bus to and from school during the day, but without cars they have no reasonable way to move in and out of their homes, travel home on breaks, commute to work after hours like many other residents. This is an economic and social justice issue; a women's rights issue; and an accessibility and equity issue. Everyone is not a young adult, single, cyclist that doesn't need to travel long distances or after dark or with children in tow, or in inclement weather. Bicyclists don't exist in a vacuum. They are among the most able-bodied among us so they certainly should be able to walk their bikes down the steep Laurel Hill on the double-wide, Laurel Street sidewalks, ride a few blocks over to the Rail Trail, and/or the Neary Lagoon Trail, rather than gravely disrupt an entire neighborhood of hundreds if not thousands of paying residents by forcing them to relinquish their street parking in front of their own homes. Furthermore, this area lacks adequate public transportation to intentionally target car owners in this neighborhood. Per Zillow, regarding 709 Laurel Street, which is in the heart of the TPWC Parking Removal Plan:
Neighborhood: 95060
Walk Score®
92 / 100 (Walker's Paradise)
Transit Score®
45 / 100 (Some Transit)
Bike Score®
99 / 100 (Biker's Paradise)
Biking and walking for pedestrians and cyclists on this street appear to be in substantially better standing than public transportation. Thus, targeting people that need to drive due to inadequate public transportation is clearly unjustifiable.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, it would be extremely helpful for you (your neighbors, and everyone in your household) to email a letter to the Santa Cruz City Council immediately, or at the latest, Monday, March 13, 2023 before 5:00 p.m., in support of the well-substantiated and justified Appeal contesting the TPWC's approval and recommendation of red curbs, bollards, and parking removal on Laurel St. per the so called, "Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Plan."
• Your emails can go to: CityCouncil@CityOfSantaCruz.com.
The Appeal is justified in its multiple bases demonstrating The Transportation and Public Works Dept. (TPWC) has grossly misrepresented the accessibility, safety, and parking situation on, and adjacent to, Laurel St., and really ought to be called out on it! The TPWC's job is to advise the City Council before it votes on this matter. To prevent the City Council from simply rubber stamping whatever inaccuracies and biases the TPWC is promulgating, the basis of the Laurel Street Parking Removal Appeal needs to be supported by our neighborhood:
1. TPWC minimized and disregarded valid neighborhood objections (which you will see they are continuing to do in their City Council Agenda Packets), and did not (and continues not to) properly disclose neighborhood objections to The City Council (and perhaps to some of its own Commissioners);
2. The TPWC did not adequately perform its due diligence on this issue and is still disseminating misinformation (as you will see below); and
3. The TPWC has not been forthright in disclosing its intent, its data, and many controversial details of its "Striping" Plan both to the public and to the City Council--(e.g., their justification for installing red curbs, bollards, and removing Laurel St. parking is "2.5 avg. bicycle accidents per year" primarily on the Laurel St. Hill at Walti St., which is two, three, and four blocks away from most of the proposed red curbs, bollards and parking removal. When challenged on the absence of logic in these proposed actions, they deflect to the need to reduce GHG emissions argument, which is patently irrelevant to this matter. If they want to reduce driving and GHG, they need to provide comprehensive public transportation alternatives that currently don't exist.).
Here's an example of what the TPWC has shared with the City Council in the Agenda packet that is supposed to inform the Council on this matter:
"At the public hearing a couple residents expressed concern about their personal safety walking along Laurel Street and contested that removing on-street parking in front of their homes would expose them to more crime. After the meeting, Santa Cruz Police Department confirmed that this neighborhood is not an area people need to be concerned walking in. Staff also reviewed the prevalence of off-street parking and verified that 88% of properties on Laurel Street between Walti and Chestnut have off-street parking either in a driveway or from alley access. The removal of parking on Laurel Street won’t expose people to more crime, and if they feel unsafe, most can park on their property. The appellant’s address has multiple off-street parking spaces accessible via the alley." [Ref: Summary Sheet for - Appeal of the Transportation and Public Works Commission’s approval of parking removal on Laurel Street as part of the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Improvements plan (m400029) (PW) (29988)]
First of all, vastly more than "a couple residents expressed concern about their personal safety." Rather, I expressed concern about the personal safety of my tenants [at 709 Laurel (6 tenants) and 709-A Laurel (3 tenants)]; (I cited Zoom Hearing time stamps of those expressing such concerns in my Appeal.) Melanie Burr voiced concern about the safety of herself and her 7 female housemates; Claudia expressed concern about about the safety of herself and 7 other female roommates on Laurel Street; Michelle at 708 Laurel expressed concern about the safety of her family of 4; Veronica expressed concern about her personal safety walking home from a remote parking space as well as concerns about all the people that come around checking door knobs and messing with parked cars every night. Adriana expressed concern about the safety risk of walking home from a remote parking space at night after work, and concern for her son who was attacked on Chestnut and Laurel St., as well as for the safety of her car parked out of view from her home at night; and Pamela who lives at Laurel and Myrtle expressed safety concerns and also submitted an email expressing same. So, that's 33 people, not "a couple" whose safety concerns were expressed at the TPWC Hearing. Additionally, the TPWC received letters at least from Vanessa representing 8 mostly female roommates on Laurel street with no driveway. They expressed safety concerns walking from remote parking spaces at night, too. So the total number of residents expressing personal safety concerns is at least 41. The TPWC is in possession of this information and was present at its own Hearing. But as I stated in my Appeal, the TPWC has been (and continues) misrepresenting the relevant information on this matter both to the public and to the Santa Cruz City Counsel that will decide this matter.
Secondly, re: "...most can park on their property. The appellant’s address has multiple off-street parking spaces accessible via the alley." In fact, the Appellant's address has 9-10 tenants: 6-7 in the 2-story main house and 3 tenants in the duplex below. The 9-10 total tenants have to park in what would be their backyard where there are only 4-5 spaces off the alley--one of which is right in front of the door to their home. So the remaining 4-6 tenants rely on street parking permits to park in front of their house. Once again, this is another example of the TPWC recklessly and negligently spreading misinformation. They have no idea how many people live in each home. So they cannot imply these high density homes have adequate parking on-site for the number of residents living there.
Thirdly, regarding the TPWC claim, "The removal of parking on Laurel Street won’t expose people to more crime, and if they feel unsafe, most can park on their property." We've already established the TPWC has no idea how many people reside at each property and these specific concerns of at least 41 people that cannot park on their property were expressed at the TPWC Hearing. This is the due diligence the TPWC thought was warranted in researching the safety concerns of the 41 women that spoke out against the Plan to remove parking and force residents (and their guests) to park remotely, walk alone back to their homes or cars at night, and leave their vehicles parked out of view. "After the meeting, Santa Cruz Police Department confirmed that this neighborhood is not an area people need to be concerned walking in." Apparently this is supposed to be substantiated by an Agenda attached email the Transportation Mgr. sent to Wes Morey, from the Westside Neighborhood Policing Team: Lt. Wes Morey (831) 420-5857 (who can be emailed directly from this website: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/police/neighborhood-policing-team-npt):
Here's the TPWC inquiry From: Matt Starkey Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 12:54 PM To: Wes Morey Subject: RE: Laurel Street Striping Improvement Feedback
"Hi Wes, We’re propsoign to remove parking along Laurel from Felix to Myrtle and restrict one stall on each of the side street. Sketch below. There were neighbors that were concerned about being exposed to more crime if they must walk further to their cars. We’re able to make a transportation safety improvement with these changes, but neighbors were concerned they would become less safe if they are walking around longer exposed to more criminal activity. Ideally we could share some data about how “safe” this neighborhood is to alleviate those concerns. Looking forward chatting more. Cheers,"
Lt. Wes Morey's email response to Matt Starkey of the TPWC was,
"Hi Matt, I’ve looked into the data. This is not a high crime area where residents would have to worry about being victimized while walking to or from their vehicles. Wes"
[Ref. SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE.PDF]
(We have a D+ crime rating.)
Please email the City Council now.
• The City Council Hearing including public comment on this matter will be on Tuesday, 3-14-23 at 2:00 p.m., both in person and via Zoom. Please speak up in support of the Appeal via email now urging the City Council to Reject the TPWC Approval of the Laurel St. Parking Removal Plan, and likewise at the Council Hearing public comment section beginning sometime after 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday 3-14-23.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting – March 14, 2023
• 2:00 p.m.--Consent, Public Hearings, and Oral Communications, Zoom/Council Chambers 809 Center Street
The meeting may be viewed remotely, using any of the following sources:
Click on Zoom link (no time delay): https://zoom.us/j/94684401344
Online at http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-council/council-meetings
Online at Watch – Community Television of Santa Cruz County
Comcast Channel 25
Or: Call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one.
1-833-548-0276 (Toll Free)
1-833-548-0282 (Toll Free)
1-877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
1-669-900-9128
Enter the meeting ID number: 946 8440 1344
When prompted for a Participant ID, press #.
Press *9 on your phone to “raise your hand” when the Mayor calls for public comment.
It will be your turn to speak when the Mayor calls on you. Press *6 to unmute yourself. The timer will then be set.
Correspondence to be included in the agenda packet must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, 3/13.
If you wish to review the Agenda packet for the Tuesday, 3/14/23 City Council Hearing on the "Appeal of the TPWC Approval of Parking Removal on Laurel Street, as part of the Vision Zero Striping Plan," it's here: https://ecm.cityofsantacruz.com/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=2071&doctype=1
All the documentation of the TPWC's positions are on the aforementioned link, and look like this:
Item Details
Appeal of the Transportation and Public Works Commission’s Approval of Parking Removal on Laurel Street as part of the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Improvements Plan (m400029) (PW)
Supporting Documents
Summary Sheet for - Appeal of the Transportation and Public Works Commission’s approval of parking removal on Laurel Street as part of the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Improvements plan (m400029) (PW) (29988)
RESOLUTION.DOCX
LAUREL STREET STRIPING PLAN.PDF
MYRTLE STREET STRIPING PLAN.PDF
LAUREL STREET - SIGHT DISTANCE EXHIBIT.PDF
LAUREL STREET - MYRTLE STREET PARKING EXHIBIT.PDF
LAUREL STREET - OFF STREET PARKING.DOCX
APPEAL.PDF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STAFF REPORT FROM JANUARY 23, 2023.DOC
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 23, 2023 TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MEETING.DOC
SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE.PDF
15.
Appeal of the Transportation and Public Works Commission’s Approval of Parking Removal on Laurel Street as part of the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Improvements Plan (m400029) (PW)
View Meeting - OnBase Agenda Online
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution denying the appeal and upholding the Transportation and Public Works Commission’s approval of the design and installation of the proposed striping on Laurel Street between Mission Street and Chestnut Street; and
2) Direct staff to investigate additional diagonal parking on Myrtle Street with neighbors.
The Appeal of the Laurel and Adjacent Street Red Curb/Parking Eradication Component of the Laurel Street Vision Zero Striping Plan is now scheduled for this Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. The City only posted the City Council Agenda Packet in the last couple hours, under Meeting Date: 3/14/23, here: https://ecm.cityofsantacruz.com/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/Search?dropid=4&mtids=103%2C104%2C105%2C106
Public Hearings
The Appeal is item 15 on the Agenda.
Thank you,
- Robin