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Piedmont reviews Civic Center parking plan: staff recommends loading zones, ADA adjustments and study of time‑limited parking
Summary
City staff presented a revised Civic Center parking plan that would add loading/unloading spaces for the new aquatic center, preserve 10 public‑safety spaces, and prioritize ADA compliance; council and residents asked for more data, coordination with the school district, and clear time‑limit enforcement before finalizing changes.
City staff returned April 21 to present a more detailed Civic Center parking plan ahead of pool and roadway work this summer, outlining tradeoffs among loading/unloading zones, ADA‑compliant stalls, public‑safety parking, and potential EV charging infrastructure.
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzalez said the plan would convert two pool‑front spaces to loading/unloading, secure 10 spaces for public‑safety vehicles near the Vets Hall and Piedmont Park, and explore 16 diagonal spaces on Highland and Sheridan. He emphasized ADA compliance constraints: several candidate locations exceed allowable slopes and would not meet ADA without regrading. On the pool loading zone, staff highlighted that the proposed bulb‑out would create clear sight lines and a dual use for deliveries and customer drop‑off.
Council members and chiefs tested the plan’s operations: the fire chief asked that certain spaces remain movable so apparatus can exit freely; the police chief discussed enforcement options and towing contracts. Gonzalez said EV charging infrastructure could be accommodated near the safety fleet spaces with relative ease and that accessible spaces could be provided in multiple locations if feasible.
During the public comment period residents and many students urged prioritizing turnover close to the pool and schools, consolidating pickup/drop‑off to reduce circulation problems, and pursuing short‑duration parking near high‑use facilities. Students reported heavy congestion and double‑parking during pick‑up times and asked for stricter enforcement or clearer time limits. Staff and council agreed to obtain additional traffic counts, coordinate further with the Piedmont Unified School District on loading zones and staff parking, and return with specific recommendations.
Next steps: staff expects to solicit proposals for the park sustainability study and traffic consultant analysis and return in May with recommended configurations and implementation options. The council asked staff to prioritize time‑limited parking near the aquatic center, schools and City Hall while studying options for shifting longer‑term staff and permit parking to adjacent blocks.
