Arboretum Drive parkingMEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
August12,2003
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Arboretum Drive
A request has been received from Jack Frick, Board President of the Dubuque
Arboretum and Botanical Gardens requesting that parking be removed from the south
side of Arboretum Drive to allow for free flow of two-way traffic for their visitors to the
Arboretum.
On May 22, the City sent letters to the five property owners of record along Arboretum
Drive explaining the "no parking" request and asking for comments on the requested
parking restrictions. Four of the property owners responded that they were opposed to
the proposed "no parking." The fifth property owner is the developer, who did not
respond to the City's request for his comments.
Based upon the desires of the property owners and their concern for safety if the
parking is removed, Public Works Director Mike Koch recommends that the petition for
the removal of parking be denied.
Public Works Director Mike Koch suspects that any congestion which is currently being
experienced, or experienced in the past, has been the result of the recent construction
of multiple homes in the areas. In such instances, the street may become congested
from contractor vehicles, workers' personal cars, and delivery vehicles. This is usually a
short-term problem.
City staff will periodically monitor the parking and traffic conditions on this street over
the next several months. If any changes need to be made, the issue would be brought
back to the City Council for further discussion.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
MEMORANDUM
August 12, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
Arboretum Ddve
INTRODUCTION
The following is in response to a letter addressed to the City Council from Jack
Frick, Board President of the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens,
concerning parking on Arboretum Ddve.
DISCUSSION
The construction of the Northwest Artedal from J.F. Kennedy Road to U.S.
Highway 52 required the design of a new entrance to Marshall Park and the
Arboretum. The previous entrance off W. 32nd Street was a paved surface
without curb and gutter. It was 25 feet wide for 250 feet north of W. 32® Street. It
then narrowed to 20 feet to the park entrance. There was no development along
this section.
The new entrance begins at the end of what is now a fully-constructed public
street known as Arboretum Drive. Current plans call for residential development
to occur on both sides of the street.
Mr. Frick has requested that parking be removed from the south side of
Arboretum Drive to allow for free flow of two-way traffic for their visitors to the
Arboretum. His letter states that there are often several short-term events in the
course of one day in which many visitors are arriving and/or leaving at the same
approximate time.
On May 22, the City sent letters to the five property owners of record along
Arboretum Drive explaining the "no parking" request and asking for comments on
the requested parking restrictions. Four of the property owners responded that
they were opposed to the proposed "No Parking". The fifth property owner is the
developer, who did not respond to the City's request for his comments. Copies
of the letters received are attached for reference to their concems.
RECOMMENDATION
Based upon the desires of the property owners and their concern for safety if the
parking is removed, I recommend that the petition for the removal of parking be
denied.
I suspect that any congestion which is currently being experienced, or
experienced in the past, has been the result of the recent construction of multiple
homes in the area. In such instances, the street may become congested from
contractor vehicles, workers' personal cars, and delivery vehicles. This is usually
a short-term problem.
City staff will periodically monitor the parking and traffic conditions on this street
over the next several months. If any changes need to be made, the issue would
be brought back to the City Council for further discussion.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to approve the recommendation and to deny the
request for a "No Parking" area on the south side of Arboretum Ddve.
MAK/vjd
Prepared by Bill Schlickman, Engineering Assistant
cc: Gil Spence, Leisure Services Manager
q~)ubuque Arboretum ~ ~5otan&a[ ~arbens
8800 ~atrboreCum q)rfCe · ~Oubuque, ~ 62001 · (~q) 556-2100
April 4, 2003
City of Dubuque
City Clerk's Office
City Hall
Dubuque, IA52001
Dear Council members,
We request that no parking be allowed on the South s~de of Arboretum Drive.
With. parking limited to one side, traffic can move in both directions.
Our reasons are during the months of June through August we have free Sunday
o~con~rts and dinting the~moathsof May through-O£~0b-er ~e b.a~ ~weddings~mo~
every Saturday. This brings manype0pleto the arboretnm in a short time and
creates heavy traffic to and fromthe Arboretum.
In 2001 we had 51 weddings at the arboretum and in 2002 there were 64. We
already have 65'.reserved for 2003. Sometimes there are 3 to 5 weddings on a
Saturday and We 6x~ct to average 100 People perwedding. Our visitor count has
exceeded 50,000 for several Years. In previous years we have had people from
over 30 states and 20 foreign countries. But most of our visitors are local either
from Dubuque or the tri-state area.
We would like a free flow of traffic for our visitors, who include local citizens and
tourists who are not acquainted with the area. Nothing is more fxustrating to an out
of town visitor than to be caught in traffic conge, stion.
Your attention to this matter will be appreciated since the summer tourist season
will be upon us very soon. We invite you to come, visit and see our beautiful
gardens and enjoy the free Sunday summer concert series.
Sincerely,
Jack Frick, Board President
Dubuque Arboret-m and Botanical Gardens
Your Place to Learn About Plants
June 7, 2003
City of Dubuque
En~neering Department
City Halt
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Sir or Madam,
As property owners aton8 Arboretum Drive in the City of Dubuque, we have
received atetter informin8 us that the City is considerin8 a request from the
Arboretum to eliminate parkin8 on the south side of Arboretum Drive. We have
reviewed the letter of notice and have discussed the impacts of such a change.
After careful consideration of the issues surrounding the removal of paridn~ on
Arboretum DHve, we respectfully request that the City not place parking
restrictions on either side of Arboretum Drive. The primary factors for this
collective request include the fo[towing:
· The signa~e that would be required to provide parking restriction
· notice to motorists would be an architectural detriment to all
properties along Arboretum Drive.
· The elimination of parking would likely foster increased vehicle
speeds along Arboretum Drive. H~h vehicle speeds are alreadya
~i~nificant problem, espedatly before and after Arboretum events.
· For visitors to properties along Arboretum Drive, there is a ~reater
safety and convenience offered by parkin~ on the south side of the
street.
We thank you for the opportunity to provide homeowner input on this topic.
Please advise us of any actions that are required of us in order that our request
may be appropriately considered.
Sincerely,
June 7, 2003
City of Dubuque
Engineering Department
City Hall
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Sir or Madam,
As property owners alon~ Arboretum Drive in the City of Dubuque, we have
received a letter informing us that the City is considering a request from the
Arboretum to eliminate parkin~ on the south side of Arboretum Drive. We have
reviewed the letter of notice and have discussed the impacts of such a change.
After careful consideration of the issues surrounding the removal of parking on
Arboretum Ddve, we respectfully request that the City not place parking
restrictions on either side of Arboretum Drive. The primary factors for this
collective request include the following:
The signage that would be required to provide parking restriction
notice to motorists would be an architectural detriment to all
properties a[on~ Arboretum Drive.
· The elimination of parking would [ike4y foster increased vehicle
speeds along Arboretum Drive. High vehicle spc~-~Js are already a
significant problem, espeda[[y before and after Arboretum events.
· For visitors to properties a[onR Arboretum Drive, there is a greater
safety and convenience offered by parking on the south side of the
street.
We thank you for the opportunity to provide homeowner input on this topic.
Please advise us of any actions that are required of us in order that our request
may be appropriately considered.
Sincerely,
JUN 2:6-2003
Engineering Division
City Hall
50 West t3th St:ceet
Dubuque, IA 520014864
(563) 5894270 office
(563) 5894.205 fax
THE Cr1~ OF
May 22, 2003
Wayne & Janice Lewis
3240 Arboretum Drive
Dubuque, IA 52002
RE: Parking on Arboretum Drive
Dear Wayne & Janice Lewis:
On April 4, 2003, the City Council received a request from the Dubuque Arboretum and
Botanical Gardens to prohibit parking on the south side of Arboretum Drive. This would
allow for the unrestricted flow of traffic for both directions of travel in and out of the
Gardens, unencumbered by parking on both sides of the street.
Parking will be allowed on the north side of the street at all times.
If this parking restriction is acceptable to you as a property owner, it would be my
intention to take this matter to the City Council meeting of June 16, 2003, for the
adoption of an ordinance creating the "no parking" zone. Would you please let me know
prior to June 9, 2003 whether you would support such a parking restriction.
If you have any questions in regard to the "no parking" zone or the request from the
Arboretum, please feel free to give me a call at 589-4270.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Koch
Public Works Director
MAFJvjd
cc: Kivlahan Farms, LC, 4922 Wild Flower Drive
Ronald J. Tumer, PLS
Bill Schlickman, Engineering
Service PeopIe Integ~ty Responsibility Innovation Teamwork