ITEM 6-G

Council Meeting:  February 25, 1992

To:  Mayor and City Council

From: City Staff

Subject:   Recommendation to Amend Santa Monica Municipal Code
           Section 3366A entitled "Physically Handicapped Zones"

INTRODUCTION

This report recommends that the City Council direct the City
Attorney to prepare an ordinance to amend section 3366A, S.M.M.C.
granting authority to the City Parking & Traffic Engineer to
establish or remove Disabled Parking Zones (formerly Physically
Handicapped Zones).  This report also recommends amendment of the
municipal code to replace the term "Physically Handicapped Zones"
with "Disabled Parking Zones".

BACKGROUND

Beginning January 1, 1992, the California Vehicle Code was
amended to replace the term "Physically Handicapped Zones" with
"Disabled Parking Zones".  The City's terminology needs to be
consistent with the California Vehicle Code because it is the
basis for local parking ordinances as found in the Santa Monica
Municipal Code.

Presently, the City Council authorizes, by resolution,
installation of Disabled Parking Zones after favorable
recommendation by City staff.  This has proven to be
time-consuming to those requesting disabled zones.  City Staff
must prepare a staff report, schedule it on an agenda, and the
City Council must act on the item.  These procedures are also
followed at such time that it becomes necessary to remove
Disabled Parking Zones.

Favorable recommendations for installation of Disabled Parking
Zones are made by the City Parking & Traffic Engineer if
available on-street or off-street parking is not accessible to
the physically handicapped.

Historically, all favorable recommendations concerning Disabled
Parking Zones have been approved by the City Council.

Staff believes that the public will be better served by granting
authority to install Disabled Parking Zones to the City Parking &
Traffic Engineer because processing and response time will be
dramatically reduced.

BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT

There is no budget or fiscal impact.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the City Council direct the City Attorney
to prepare an ordinance to amend section 3366A, S.M.M.C. granting
authority to the City Parking & Traffic Engineer to establish or
remove Disabled Parking Zones, and replace the term "Physically
Handicapped Zones" with "Disabled Parking Zones".


Prepared by:   Paul Berlant, Director of Land Use &
               Transportation Management

Ron Fuchiwaki, City Parking & Traffic Engineer