Adopt resolution to remove the existing School Loading Zone on Omega Street and establish new parking restrictions in the area of Esparto Elementary School including a no parking zone on the north side of Plainfield Street immediately east of the school crosswalk and a no parking zone on Omega Street. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Riddiough)

Approval of the attached resolution (see Attachment A) will remove the existing 30-foot school loading zone on Omega Street and establish a no parking zone on Omega Street between the Esparto Elementary School driveway egress and the school crosswalk to the south. It will also establish a 32-foot no parking zone on Plainfield Street starting at the curb-return at Omega Street going east along the southern frontage of 17155 Omega Street. The parking restrictions will promote unobstructed visibility ahead of the school crosswalk.

BACKGROUND

In the Fall of 2022, Public Works Division staff received a request from the Esparto Unified School District (District) for proposed changes to the parking restrictions around Esparto Elementary located at 17120 Omega Street. See Attachment B for their letter of support.

The school loading zone was established under Resolution No. 81-68 on the west side of Omega Street for a distance of thirty feet located at 705 Omega Street (See Attachment C).  At the time, the Esparto Child Care Center (Center) was located at 705 Omega Street and used front street access. With this limited access, the Center found loading and unloading of children to be impacted by local parking along Omega Street frontage. For this reason, it was determined that a loading zone was needed to minimize congestion and promote safety.

However, the childcare center activities have since relocated to 26137 Grafton Street and operates as SunRISE Early Child Development Center. This new location utilizes the off-street parking area adjacent to the facility with access from Grafton Street. The school loading zone remains at the old location and is unused by the current childcare facility, creating a confusing situation. Esparto Elementary School also utilizes the off-street parking area adjacent to the school with access from Grafton Street. See Attachment D for a vicinity map.

Over time, school staff and Yolo County Sheriff staff have observed motorists parking in the school loading zone on Omega Street for longer than reasonably allowed and cars illegally double-parking adjacent to the school loading zone to drop off and pick up students at Esparto Elementary School. These vehicles create a hazardous situation as they unexpectedly inhibit traffic flow and may obstruct the visibility of other motorists heading southbound, approaching Plainfield Street, ahead of the school crosswalk.

Vehicles parked on the north side of Plainfield Street near the corner with Omega Street may also obstruct visibility of the school crosswalk for motorists heading westbound on Plainfield Street, approaching Omega Street.

Removing the school loading zone and establishing the no parking zones on Omega Street and Plainfield Street would be appropriate and an enhancement to safety in this area and the Esparto Elementary School. See Attachment E for the location map of the new proposed parking restrictions.

Esparto Unified School District
Yolo County Sheriff’s Office
County Counsel approved the resolution as to form