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Home My WebLink AboutORD 2004-05 - Downtown Parking ZoneORDINANCE ! AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10.16 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING PARKING TO ESTABLISH A "DOWNTOWN PARKING ZONE" ON PORTIONS OF 7th, AND 8th, AUSTIN AVE., AND MAIN STREET; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS INDICATING SUCH ZONES; ORDINANCES AND A SEVERABILITY PUBLICATION AND REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; PROVIDING CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, deems it necessary and proper to amend Chapter 10.16 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas to establish restricted parking zones on segments of 7th and 8th Streets and on Austin Avenue and Main Street; and WHEREAS, the Council deems it necessary and proper to encourage out-of-town visitors to the City by providing hospitality permits that allow unrestricted parking in restricted parking zones; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that it is necessary and proper and in the best interest of the citizens of Georgetown to adopt the changes hereinafter set forth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, that: SECTION 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this ordinance implements Transportation Policy 12.0 of the Century Plan - Policy Plan Element, which states: "Georgetown's transportation system provides for the safe and efficient movement of traffic, promotes the economic interests of the community, and adequately serves the needs of individuals"; and further finds that the enactment of this ordinance is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other Century Plan Policies, as required by Section 2.03 of the Administrative Chapter of the Policy Plan. SECTION 2: That Section 10.16 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Georgetown, Texas, is hereby amended to add Section 10. 16.082 as follows: Ordinance No. Downtown Parking Zone Page 1 of 5 10.16.082 DOWNTOWN PARKING ZONE A. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this Section, have the following definitions. (1) "Chief of Police" shall mean the Chief of Police of the City of Georgetown, Texas or his designee. (2) "Downtown Parking Zone" shall mean the area comprised of the following public streets: (i) Austin Avenue between 6'' Street and 9t' Street; (ii) Main Street between 6' Street and 9`h Street; (1) 7'' Street between Church Street and Rock Street; (iv) 8'' Street between Church Street and Rock Street; (3) "Motor vehicle" shall mean every vehicle which is self-propelled. B. Offenses. (l) Except as provided in Subsection (D), below, no person shall park any motor vehicle on any public street in the Downtown Parking Zone for more than two consecutive hours between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday, without displaying a valid hospitality permit. (2) An individual commits an offense if he displays a permit issued pursuant to this Section on a motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which the permit was issued. (3) An individual commits an offense if he displays a permit issued pursuant to this Section on a motor vehicle on a day other than the day issued. (4) A person commits an offense if he falsely represents himself as being eligible for a hospitality permit, submits false documents, or otherwise makes a false statement of material fact on an application for a permit. C. Penalties. (1) Any vehicle parked for more than two consecutive hours in the Downtown Parking Zone, during times when parking is restricted and without displaying a valid permit issued under this Section, may be issued (i) a warning for the first offense; (ii) a fine not to exceed $50 for the second offense; (iii) a fine not to exceed $200 for the third offense; and (iv) impoundment of vehicle with a fine not to exceed $500 for the fourth and any subsequent offenses. Ordinance No. Downtown Parking Zone Page 2 of 5 (2) A person who commits any other violation against the provisions of this Section is subject to the penalties provided for in the Code of Ordinances, City of Georgetown, Texas. D. Exceptions. The terms of this Section shall not apply in the following instances: (1) Motor vehicles that are used in transporting individuals, equipment, and goods necessary for making improvements and repairs, providing labor, and performing other services at any location within the Downtown Parking Zone. (2) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to parking spaces designated as "Handicapped" or "Disabled" parking spaces. (3) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to parking places designated as "Reserved" parking places for Williamson County officials and employees. (4) If the provisions of this Section are in conflict with a permit issued under the City's special event ordinance (Chapter 12.24 of this Code), the terms of the special event permit shall control. E. Hospitality Downtown Parking Zone Permits. (1) All visitors to the City who register with the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall be issued, free of charge, one (1) permit for each motor vehicle driven that exempts the holder from fines or penalties for exceeding the time limits in the Downtown Parking Zone. The Hospitality Parking permit must be hung from the rear view mirror of the motor vehicle. (2) Each permit issued to a visitor will be assigned to a specific vehicle, and will only be valid for the day it is issued. No permit may be transferred to any other individual or used for a different vehicle other than the one to which the permit is assigned. (3) All visitors to the City applying for a permit or permits must use the application developed by the Chief of Police. (4) The Chief shall, upon receiving a completed application, issue a Hospitality Parking permit to any individual that is eligible for the permit. An individual is eligible to obtain a permit if: (i) the individual is a visitor to the City; and Ordinance No. 2170 4 Downtown Parking Zone Page 3 of 5 intends to park a motor vehicle within the Downtown Parking Zone. (5) The individual's application for a permit must contain the following information: (i) the name, address, and Texas Driver's License number of the owner of the motor vehicle to be parked in the Downtown Parking Zone; and the make, model, registration, and license plate number of the motor vehicle to be parked in the Downtown Parking Zone. (6) Miscellaneous. (i) A permit issued pursuant to this Section, and properly displayed, authorizes the visitor's motor vehicle to be parked in the Downtown Parking Zone for more than two consecutive hours when otherwise prohibited by this Section. A permit does not authorize the visitor's motor vehicle to be parked in a manner or location that is prohibited or otherwise governed by regulations, ordinances, statutes, or laws other than provided for in this Section. (ii) A permit is not transferable from one motor vehicle to another. (iii) A lost or stolen permit may be replaced. The visitor must submit a signed affidavit stating that the permit was lost or stolen and not transferred to another vehicle, nor given or conveyed to another individual. SECTION 3: All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in conflict herewith are expressly repealed. SECTION 4: The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof. SECTION 5: The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. READ and APPROVED on first reading this the % day of December, 2003. READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the 1,5 day of , 2001' Ordinance No. Q - Q Downtown Parking Zone Page 4 of 5 CITY OF GEORGETOWN City of Georgetown, Texas ATTEST: Sandra D. Lee, City S APPROVED AS TO FORM: Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney Brown & Carls, LLP Ordinance No. Downtown Parking Zone Page 5 of 5