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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 - Public PiersCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH HARBOR COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 4 October 20, 2010 TO: HARBOR COMMISSION FROM: Public Works Department Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager (949) 644 -3043, cmillerlaDnewgortbeachca.aov SUBJECT: Public Piers — New Time Limits and Rules ISSUE: Because three of the City's public piers were recently reconfigured, staff is recommending that new time limits and rules be established for these three piers as well as for all of the City's public piers to maintain consistency throughout the harbor. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Recommend the proposed public pier time limits and rules be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. 2. Recommend the proposed public pier time limits and rules, with modifications, be forwarded to the City Council for approval. DISCUSSION: Earlier this summer, the three public piers at Fernando St, 15'h Street and 19th Street were completely reconfigured to better accommodate the boater's needs for dinghy space. These new docks have been very well received and have greatly eased the overcrowding issues that have plagued these areas for years. As part of these new dock reconfigurations, it is necessary to formulate new rules and time limits. However, staff and volunteers felt it was important to first install the new docks then let the public use them for the summer before new rules were developed. This strategy allowed us time to observe the natural flow of usage so we could then establish our rules and time limits around an already functioning system. Subsequent to the above mentioned dock project, a Harbor Commission subcommittee was formed to develop a plan for managing the docks. In addition to the subcommittee's input, a public meeting was also held at the 15`h Street dock in July to seek input and feedback from the actual end users. And lastly, this proposed plan was also vetted several times with the Mooring Master Plan Subcommittee. Public Piers — New Time Limits and Rules October 20, 2010 Page 2 Time Limits: The subcommittee agreed that the dock sides should be easily identifiable with their respective time frames, so a color system (solid stripe on the topside of the dock) was conceptualized much like curb colors for street parking. These colored stripes will also be clearly marked on the new signs posted on each of the docks. In addition, this new sign will have all the rules for each dock as they may apply, therefore minimizing some of the 'sign clutter' currently on our piers. Blue Zone = 20 minutes Green Zone = 3 hour maximum Black Zone = 24 hour maximum Yellow Zone = 72 hour maximum Red Zone = No tie -up • Blue Zone (20 minutes): Generally for the bayward facing side of the docks (current practice). • Green Zone (3 hours): Generally for the sides of the docks allowing adequate time for the public to use land -based facilities, i.e. restaurants. Current 2 hour limit is inadequate. • Black Zone (24 hours): Generally for the backside of the docks that were not recently reconfigured. Current 12 hour limit is inadequate. • Yellow Zone (72 hours): Generally for the reconfigured piers at Fernando, 151h and 19th Streets where demand is highest and space is now abundant. • Red Zone (no tie -up): Generally for the small areas on the backsides of the reconfigured piers to help manage dock congestion. Rules: 1. Locking boats not permitted in the blue (20 minute) or green (3 hour) zones. 2. No unattended boats next to a pumpout (blue zone). 3. No dinghies in the blue zone at Fernando, 15`h and 19`h Streets. 4. No fishing at Washington, Fernando, 15`h, 191h Streets, Opal Avenue and the Rhine Wharf. 5. Maximum dinghy length in the "inner lagoon" at 15th Street dock is 9 feet. 6. Rhine Wharf only: Pier closed from 12 AM to 6:00 AM. In addition, Code Section 17.25.10.D needs clarification to allow dinghies to tie up bow only. Currently, it states: Vessel Tie -up Method. Every vessel berthed at any pier in Newport Harbor shall be fastened in such a manner as to assure the security of such vessel fore and aft at a minimum. Upon the Harbor Commission's approval, staff will coordinate with the City Attorney's office to properly phrase this proposal for the Municipal Code before it is forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Enforcement of the time limits will still be under the Harbor Patrol's jurisdiction with input from Harbor Resources. Public Piers — New Time Limits and Rules October 20, 2010 Page 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Harbor Commission's review of this agenda item does not require environmental review. PUBLIC NOTICE: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the public meetings at which the Harbor Commission considers the item). Submitted by: Chris Miller Harbor Resources Manager Attachments: Exhibit 1: Public Pier Locations Public Piers — New Time Limits and Rules October 20, 2010 Page 4 Public Pier Locations PANG, Pu,IIpk)idj,,j inm.E °'- Public Pirn in No\cpril Fl.ubor - . 5 5, 7 6 U NEIk P—P w AMID. * Nqk %ni LM.P.. 1 YA :.Myvtle Wna 2VAPNM%N& S. WMM.., Bald l fxun49 4 N M"lwnO R" a.IBNA $NMq CW S. IPRA l MVbv YarH P.CwYYS PIMA PPmnY6» (/�5/�\ fon.cMa rowNnAen A -fai ZaY to PPhNn w 0 0_5 OS Mks