Parking System 2100 ridge Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 866-2923 - Phone (847) 448-8118 - Fax

June 28, 2004

Ms. Rosemarie A. Botthof
Unified Voice of Disabled Americans
460 Eagle Drive, Suite 106
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007

Dear Ms. Botthof:

I am responding to your letter regarding the application for a reserved on-street parking space for Ms.LuEthel Gates, an Evanston resident at 2415 Lyons Street. Our criterion for evaluating a request, such as the one received for Ms. Gates, are simple and very straightforward. Our City code allows us to establish a reserved on-street space when there is no off-street parking available.

Upon receipt of the application signed by Brenda S. DeVance in may, 2003, a field investigation to the residence was preformed. A 2-car garage with accessible walkway between the single-family house and garage were observed. Since the residence does have accessible off-street parking, we cannot approve the application. A letter of explanation was mailed to Ms. DeVance. Soon thereafter, a phone call was received from Ms. DeVance requesting us to reconsider the decision. Ms. DeVance stated they need the on-street space because Ms. Gates uses the fence as a handrail. This is most interesting because the fence is only accessible for half the distance to the street and the shrubs run along the remainder of the very narrow sidewalk to the street. Nevertheless, the conditions under which we can approve a reserved on-street space were again reviewed with Ms. DeVance, and it was pointed out that the accessible 2-car garage disqualifies their application.

The City of Evanston is pro-active in assisting disabled residents and visitors. Brian Barnes, our Inclusion Specialist, assists many residents' concerns regarding lack of accessibility for disabled persons. Also, Ms. Paggao and I are sensitive to the needs of the disabled, because we both have immediate-family members with disabilities requiring assistance. It is not easy to deny a request for someone with a disability; however, when there is accessible off-street parking, as exists at 2415 Lyons, we cannot provide a reserved space on the public street.

	Sincerely, Jean Baucom Parking System Manager
Cc: Brian Barnes, Inclusion Specialist       Brenda S. DeVance