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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-16 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING September 16, 2021 Chair McAllister called the meeting to order at 8:42 a.m. Present: Chair McAllister, Commissioners Anderson, Lepage, Rheinberger, Council Liaison Junker Absent: Commissioners Bates, Glynn, & Hopfe Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill, City Attorney Land APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of August 19, 2021 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner _______, seconded by Chair McAllister, to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2021 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. DISCUSSION Final Check In - Draft Agenda for October 5, 2021 Joint Workshop with City Council Community Development Director Gladhill led discussion of the draft agenda and the Commission supported the draft agenda as presented. Review legal framework and City Attorney feedback on proposed Parking Mitigation Policy Community Development Director Gladhill explained that he and City Attorney Land are working on the language and legalities associated with the proposed Parking Mitigation Policy. The policy will move the City from a monthly fee, to a payment toward capacity expansion, which ties into the future construction of a second parking ramp. The construction cost is about $25,000 per stall for a ramp, $5,000 per stall for surface parking. The policy will address how to structure mitigation for new development, both commercial and residential. A parking district, previously referenced but never formally adopted, will be added to the zoning map. City Attorney Land continued discussion of the need to formalize the Parking District in the ordinance and as part of the Zoning Map as an Overlay District (currently a planning tool lacking enforcement authority). She stated that the Economic Development Authority (EDA), once it is up and running, would be the perfect oversight body for the statutory taxing district associated with the downtown parking district. The overlay district would have special rules, applied through zoning and with Downtown Parking Commission Meeting September 16, 2021 Page 2 of 2 variances, as well as in City Code with parking fees - a two pronged approach. The Planning Commission, with recommendation from the DTPC, would still be the body to grant variances. Chair McAllister asked if the existing formula related to parking requirements will be revisited once the parking district is in place. She noted that the City has been challenged by developers that its parking requirements are outdated, yet the DTPC has found that the existing requirements still seem applicable for Stillwater. Language referring to 20% capacity, and the issue of grandfathering that occurred in 2006 when mitigation fees started, should also be revisited. Businesses established prior to 2006 do not pay any parking mitigation fees. Ms. Land suggested that the overlay district will allow certain rules to be established. It may need to be divided into different zones. Mr. Gladhill added that the City and its EDA should continue to look at parking capacity and the various revenue sources. Councilmember Junker compared the parking deficit of the 200 Chestnut project, 39 spaces, with the three biggest downtown residential communities, the Territorial Prison site, the Mills and the Lofts which have provided 2.2 spaces per unit on their own site. They place zero parking burden on the streets whereas 200 Chestnut will put a big burden on street parking. Despite what developers say, Stillwater is suburban and residents need a car. Chair McAllister remarked on the cost of a residential permit (currently $20, $40 proposed). She remembered discussing whether it makes sense to charge the same for ramp parking as surface lot parking in regard to the residential permits. Councilmember Junker agreed that residential permits in the ramp should be more expensive. There are only 20-25 ramp residential permits available and there is always a waiting list. Review Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Downtown Parking District Mr. Gladhill provided a high-level overview of future capital needs in the Parking District, noting that many of the planned capital projects remain unfunded. Currently Ramp #2 is in the 10 year CIP at $10 million. Current revenues are nowhere near the capital improvement funding that will be needed. Parking fee revenue basically covers enforcement but the City also must consider costs for surface lot reconstruction, which has been postponed. A surface lot maintenance schedule should be formalized. Councilmember Junker said another issue is how or whether to guarantee a certain number of spaces in a future ramp for developments that pay into the mitigation fund, and how that impacts remaining capacity. FYI/STAFF UPDATES Public Comments regarding parking ramp received since last meeting Mr. Gladhill led discussion of the need to update to a more user friendly payment system and consolidate into one system to improve financial reconciliation. 80-90% of the users are using the mobile app successfully but the remaining 10-20% are really struggling with using the iPad in the Lowell Inn lobby. He also has heard that calls to AirGarage go unanswered for hours. There also are frustrations with the gate arm breaking down. Staff is investigating different vendors. Councilmember Junker suggested staff contact the City of Hudson to see how their system is working. ADJOURNMENT Chair McAllister adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting September 16, 2021 Page 3 of 3 ______________ Heidi McAllister, Chair ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director