Agenda Item Wording:
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Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-13 approving the revision to Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 10.16.050, which prohibits the storage of vehicles on city streets, in residential zones within the City of Visalia, citywide.
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Deadline for Action: 1/8/2024
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Jesse Villegas, Code Enforcement Officer, (559) 713-4191, jesse.villegas@visalia.city <mailto:jesse.villegas@visalia.city> Tracy Robertshaw, Neighborhood Preservation Manager, (559) 713-4187 tracy.robertshaw@visalia.city <mailto:tracy.robertshaw@visalia.city>
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, (559) 713-4025 paul.bernal@visalia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Visalia City Council conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2024-13 amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 10.16.050 “Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited” per the attached Ordinance No. 2024-13.
Summary:
On December 16, 2024, the City Council held a public hearing to consider amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 10.16.050 regarding enforcement concerns and issues related to the parking and storing vehicles in residential districts.
During the public hearing, the City Council received a staff report, staff presentation, and received public comment. No persons spoke in opposition at the City Council meeting, and the City Council voted (4-0) to introduce the first reading of Ordinance No. 2024-13, amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 10.16.050 as provided in the attached ordinance.
The second reading of the Ordinance is the final action the City Council takes in order for amendment of Visalia Municipal Code Section 10.16.050 to take effect. Following the second reading and Council adoption, the ordinance will go into effect 30 days following adoption of the second reading.
Background Discussion:
During the October 7, 2024 City Council meeting, staff presented a work session item to City Council regarding enforcement concerns and issues related to the parking and storage of vehicles on city streets in residential districts. The Visalia Municipal Code (VMC) Section 10.16.050 reads as follows:
“No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours.”
Over the past year, Code Enforcement and Visalia Police Department have received numerous complaints related to the storage of personal vehicles and the minimal movement of parked or standing vehicles located on the public street. These complaints tend to mostly consist of recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and camper trailers. These vehicles/trailers have been found to impact city streets as the storage of these vehicles tends to impair traffic flow, obstruct line of sight visibility near intersections, crosswalks and for drivers backing their vehicles out driveways onto public streets. This has increased new open cases throughout the city for Code Enforcement and increased the number of calls for service for The Visalia Police Department.
Based on the information provided in the work session staff report and public comment received, Council directed staff to initiate amendments to VMC Section 10.16.050 for City Council’s consideration at a future meeting.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Prior Council Action:
• On October 7, 2024, Council received a presentation by staff seeking direction to make changes to Visalia Municipal Code 10.16.050 “Use of Street for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited”.
• On December 16, 2024, the City Council held a public hearing to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-13. The City Council voted 4-0, to introduce and adopted Ordinance No. 2024-13.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 2024-13 amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 10.16.050 “Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited”.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
The requested action is considered exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Notice of Exemption has been prepared for the project because Section 15061(b)(3) which states that the project is exempted from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The proposed ordinance will establish objective performance standards that regulate the parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones.
CEQA Review:
The requested action is considered exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Notice of Exemption (NOE No. 2023-34) has been prepared for the project.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2024-13 - Amending Section 10.16.050 Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited.
2. City Council Introduction and First Reading Staff Report dated December 16, 2024.