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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-15 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING July 15, 2021 Chair McAllister called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chair McAllister, Commissioners Anderson, Glynn, Hopfe, Council Liaison Junker Absent: Commissioner LePage Staff present: City Planner Wittman, Zoning Administrator Tait, Community Development Director Gladhill ELECTION OF OFFICERS Election was postponed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of June 29, 2021 special meeting Motion by Chair McAllister, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the June 29, 2021 special meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Consideration of a parking mitigation plan for a proposed residential apartment building to be located at 107 Third Street North City Planner Wittman stated that Landucci Homes would like to construct a 39-unit apartment complex at 107 Third Street North. The development will span the property line with 110 Myrtle Street West, retaining the existing single family residence. The Downtown Parking Commission reviewed this development on June 29, 2021. At that time, the development was short of the required parking and the developer was asking that the Commission waive a significant number of required spaces in light of a potential 40-space credit assigned to the current land owner. Just prior to the meeting, the developer introduced the KLAUS Multiparking vending system to staff. The Commission tabled the item advising the developer to meet all required parking onsite. Landucci Homes is now requesting the Commission’s recommendation regarding: 1) The proposed parking plan; 2) Mitigation of 35 required resident parking spaces; 3) Variance of 13 required guest parking spaces; and 4) Re- assignment of the 40-space credit currently assigned to Browns Creek West LLC. City Code does not address the vending type of mitigation option being proposed and staff could not find any examples of the system being used in this region. Staff would not recommend a transfer of the 40-space credit/variance as there is no justification for it; the requirements for guest parking could be met if the total number of units were reduced. Staff recommends that the Commission recommend that the City Council deny the current parking plan and invite the developer to resubmit a plan that complies with City Code. If the Commission is confident that it will not recommend a project that does not Downtown Parking Commission Meeting July 15, 2021 Page 2 of 4 account for parking on site, it should make that recommendation rather than tabling and continuing to work through that alternative. Nathan Landucci, applicant, explained that the Klaus Multiparking system is being used in five locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The systems work like elevators and are very robustly maintained. There is a a simpler version, or a larger option to accommodate 3/4 of the vehicles. If the machine were broken, the simpler version would strand only two cars max. The system could accommodate all 59 cars on site. Commissioner Anderson asked why Mr. Landucci does not expand the multiparking system to accommodate the guest parking as well. Mr. Landucci said it does not make sense to have guests use underground secure parking. With the multiparking system, all residential unit parking is on site and the project is short only the 13 guest spaces. He would like to use the re-assigned 40 space credit to meet guest parking requirements. Councilmember Junker asked about the number of bedrooms and rent range of the units. Mr. Landucci replied there is 50% one-bedroom and 50% two-bedroom. The one bedrooms rent for approximately $1,600-1,800 and two bedrooms roughly $1,700-2,000. Community Development Director Gladhill added the multiparking vending system is so new that it’s hard for staff to find examples. For future discussion if the DTPC and Council want to explore it, it would have to be built to building code. Commissioner Glynn pointed out the parking ramp is right next door so the comment there is not public parking nearby is not necessarily true. Chair McAllister added that the the ramp is permit-only overnight for residential and there is a wait list. There are no more residential permits available in that ramp. The ramp is not an overnight parking option. Mr. Landucci said he understands that the 40-space parking credit was part of the bargaining chip to get the ramp built. Councilmember Junker explained that the church’s use of 40 spots on a Sunday morning was one of the conditions. The credit is very gray. Residential parking is very different from use of spaces during a weekly church service. Mr. Landucci stated it would be rare to have 13 guests every night. There is also on street parking in the area. He does not think guest parking, typically from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., will significantly impact surrounding areas. If he is required to pay for parking mitigation of the 13 spaces, plus put in this expensive vending system, the project will get very costly. Mr. Gladhill said he feels City staff is not prepared to address the vending system option yet. Though Mr. Landucci brings up a lot of good points, the parking mitigation policy needs to be finalized and this new type of system is not yet covered by the City’s ordinances and policies. Chair McAllister stated that the Commission’s approach is fairly clear that any new development must accommodate resident parking on site and preferably guest parking also. She also believes that the vetting of this mechanical system and the gray area of this variance are out of the scope of the DTPC. She would recommend upholding the concept that all residential parking must be on site as well as guest parking, knowing there is a precedent for a $20,000 per space mitigation fee for guest parking. Mr. Gladhill added there are legalities as to how to work through this. The DTPC can’t just keep tabling this particular case because of the 60 day timeline. Staff will continue working with this developer. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting July 15, 2021 Page 3 of 4 Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glynn, to deny the parking mitigation plan for a proposed residential apartment building to be located at 107 Third Street North. All in favor. Parking Mitigation Policy Council Direction Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed proposed Parking Mitigation Policy details for various types of projects. In order to enforce the policy, the City will have to amend its ordinances, so the policy is not complete/adopted yet. It will be tweaked along the way. Councilmember Junker remarked that the City Council is asking the DTPC to consider raising the commercial mitigation cost of $10/month. One issue with the $10 is that it is only applied to businesses since 2005; the rest are grandfathered in without having to pay. He feels $10/month may be too low. Chair McAllister commented that she sees this discussion as part of a broader strategy related to fees and leveling out equity across the parking mitigation system. A number of businesses have been in operation since before 2005 that do not pay into it. The City also has issues related to employee parking, moving paid parking into different locations, and driving different behaviors. City Planner Wittman asked if the DTPC has had a joint workshop with the Council. Councilmember Junker offered kudos to the DTPC for coming up with the residential mitigation system. There are many issues to discuss including whether the City is charging the right fees for events, for spaces where there are dumpsters etc. Commission consensus was that a workshop with the City Council would be helpful. Mr. Gladhill agreed to help prioritize topics at the next meeting, in preparation for a future workshop. Work Plan Adoption Mr. Gladhill provided an overview of the proposed work plan. The draft may be discussed with the City Council in a joint workshop. He noted that his role will look a little different than former Community Development Director Turnblad’s role, in terms of economic development. Chair McAllister noted that some of the dates associated with the draft plan need to be updated. Consensus was to address the Work Plan with the Council in a workshop. NEW BUSINESS Consider Request to Reserve Parking Space at 126 Second Street South Zoning Administrator Tait explained that O’Brien’s Wine & Spirits is requesting a spot to use for their delivery services. This space is also one of the spaces that was recently reserved for the 13 months of the construction project. There is a precedent of denying these types of requests. Staff recommends denial based on previous decisions. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to deny the request of O’Brien’s Wine & Spirits to reserve the space at 126 Second Street South. All in favor. DISCUSSION Receive Public Comment Regarding Pay Lots in Downtown Chair McAllister referred to a written comment about use of the Air Garage system (not in packet). She acknowledged that the sign says park first and pay, but it does not say anything about downloading the app. Signage should be more helpful. Councilmember Junker said when the DTPC discussed Air Garage and other options it was noted that not everyone has a mobile phone. Mr. Gladhill added there is a kiosk in the lobby but signage could be better. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting July 15, 2021 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Hopfe remarked many business owners view air garage system as a nightmare for wedding guests, older people especially. Commissioner Anderson suggested monitoring where tickets are given to see how many tickets are given due to difficulties using the Air Garage app. Chair McAllister acknowledged that Air Garage was a fairly new company. This is good feedback for them, that they need to use clearer language on signs. Ms. Wittman will take this feedback to Air Garage. FYI STAFF UPDATES Ms. Wittman reminded the Commission of the Boards and Commissions picnic August 11. ADJOURNMENT Chair McAllister adjourned the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Heidi McAllister, Chair ATTEST: Graham Tait, Zoning Administrator