Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David Cronin, City Engineer

FROM:

David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer

DATE:

February 11, 2015

RE:

No Parking on George Williams Way and on Rock Chalk Drive.

 

 

Background

George Williams Way is classified as a “collector” street north of 6th Street with the purpose of collecting traffic from throughout the area and providing access for that traffic to the nearest “arterial” street, 6th Street. George Williams Way is not designed to accommodate on-street parking; between 6th Street and Overland Drive, it is marked for four (4) lanes of traffic with left-turn lanes at intersections; north of Overland Drive, it is paved for (2) lanes of traffic with a left-turn lane at Overland Drive.

 

Rock Chalk Drive is classified as a “local” street with the purpose of providing access to adjacent properties. Rock Chalk Drive is paved 30 feet wide in order to provide two (2) lanes of traffic and parking along one side of the street.

 

During high attendance events at Sports Pavilion Lawrence and Rock Chalk Park, parking has occurred along both sides of George Williams Way and Rock Chalk Drive, limiting access for emergency vehicles and attendees, causing considerable congestion (see photo).

 

Kansas Athletics, City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation, and Public Works staff met to discuss parking during events. It was determined that making certain streets no parking will require patrons of these facilities to park in the parking lots instead of on private and public streets. (See map)

 

It was noted that during larger events, such as KU Relays, that exceptions to this no parking would be allowed on some streets, but would not interfere with emergency vehicle access. This can be done with the City of Lawrence’s temporary use of right of way permits. Both the city and KU were in agreement to this process.

 

Action Request

It is recommended that the City Commission adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 9087, prohibiting parking along both sides of George Williams Way north of 6th Street and along the north side of Rock Chalk Drive.