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Permit Parking Zones on Folsom City Council Agenda

A proposed ordinance allowing the City to establish residential permit parking zones when requested by the community is on the agenda for the Feb. 12 meeting of the Folsom City Council.

Overflow parking from school and community events has created problems for residents of the Historic District and the neighborhoods surrounding Folsom High School. Some residents of those areas are seeking parking restrictions, and there may be other neighborhoods with similar issues.

"When a significant number of non-residents park in neighborhoods, parking for residents and their visitors may be severely impacted," said Mark Rackovan, City Engineer. "There may also be increased litter, noise and confrontational behavior that impacts quality of life for the residents of these neighborhoods."

Rackovan said the City considered time-limit parking in the vicinity of Folsom High School a few years ago. However, that plan was not supported by a majority of residents at that time because the residents would also be subject to the time-limited parking.

The current parking ordinance in the Folsom Municipal Code does not allow for preferential parking, such as permit parking. The Public Works Department and City Attorney's Office drafted an amendment to the Municipal Code that would authorize staff to implement permit parking zones when necessary and if supported by the residents of the affected neighborhood. Adoption of the ordinance requires City Council approval.

"The proposed ordinance is similar to programs adopted in other cities," said Rackovan. "It includes a process for requesting a residential permit parking zone, determinations of eligibility, an approval process, permit allocation and cost distribution, and enforcement criteria."

The City Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 50 Natoma St.