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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-17 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING February 17, 2022 Chair McAllister called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. Present: Chair McAllister, Commissioners Anderson, Bates, Glynn, Lepage, Rheinberger, Council Liaison Junker Absent: None Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill, City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of January 20, 2022 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Glynn, to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2022 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Consider Operations and Maintenance of Future Public Parking Lot Associated with Lumberjack Landing North of 601 Main St N (Zephyr Theatre) Mr. Gladhill stated that staff would like to have a recommendation from the Downtown Parking Commission on the operations and responsibilities for the Lumberjack Landing Parking Lot. Options include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: part of the Downtown Parking District and operated under the Downtown Parking Commission (also available for general downtown parking); part of the parks system and operated under the Parks and Recreation Commission (used for Lumberjack Landing Parking only). The parking lot itself has less than 50 spaces identified for joint use with the theatre and the possibility of 24 more spaces. The pavement needs to be reconstructed. Mr. Gladhill went on to explain that historically, the City has leased this lot for use by Zephyr Theatre. Rather than an annual lease, Zephyr Theatre has requested a perpetual easement that does not need to be re-negotiated annually. Staff would recommend that the City not sell this lot to Zephyr Theatre. Chairwoman McAllister and Commissioner Glynn asked about the pedestrian path out of that lot. City Planner Wittman answered there are not yet final engineering plans yet because it’s a 10-year park plan but a pedestrian connection is anticipated. A portion of the extension is on MnDOT right of way. The City has requested a conveyance in that area but cannot do both the improvements on what is the existing lot and the future expansion until that conveyance occurs. She showed the ownership of the various parcels. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting February 17, 2022 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Glynn voiced two concerns: 1) The City has had prior issues with private/public lot arrangements. If it is City property, it should be a City lot and the Zephyr should not be required to do anything to it. 2) The City should hold itself to the same parking standards as businesses. If the City builds an amenity, there should be parking associated with it as part of Phase 1 planning. Commissioner Anderson remarked it would be a very challenging area for visitors to find alternative parking if parking is not designated. He agrees the parking should be planned as part of Phase 1. Councilmember Junker stated that when the Aiple Property came up, it caught the City a bit off guard. A deal was struck with the Zephyr so they could use the lot for overflow parking. Now that Lumberjack Landing is being designed, it must be determined where park users are going to park, because there is no onsite parking - it’s strictly a drive through turnaround with little limited space. Commissioner Glynn asked why the City would require the Zephyr to improve the lot, why wouldn’t the City do it? Calyssa Hall, Executive Director of the Zephyr Theatre, said they are very excited about Lumberjack Landing being built nearby, and are eager to work with the City. The theatre is planning a new auditorium addition with 330 seats. Part of the approval of those plans by the City Council was contingent on having enough parking. With just the south lot, they would not have the required number of spaces for the buildout that was approved. They would like to continue to use the north parking lot and are interested in something more long term than a lease and want to move forward with it as soon as possible. Clarity is needed on who will be responsible for maintaining the lot. They will start the capital campaign in two to three years and anticipate breaking ground in five years. Mr. Gladhill explained that lease renewal is simply administrative. There could be an easement specifying a time of use - i.e. evening exclusive use with an up-front, one-time fee to purchase the easement. This is the staff-preferred route versus annual leasing. The Zephyr would help fund parking lot improvements via a pro rata share. Commissioner Rheinberger commented that he dislikes easements in that there is somewhat of a permanent transfer. The theatre’s business is fine now but at some point it could turn into something else. He doesn’t mind a lease with a renewal clause, but prefers it to have a beginning and a hard end. Mr. Gladhill said he will consult the City Attorney on the pros and cons of leases and easements, and come back with more info. Commissioner Bates said he would like to see cost estimates and estimated financial responsibilities for both the Zephyr and the City. Commissioner Lepage asked about possibly connecting the parking lot to Browns Creek versus moving the pedestrian access to the park in between Hwy 95 and the parking lot, to make it a little safer. Ms. Wittman showed the final concept plan which has a safer pedestrian connection closer to the river. It cannot be closer to the highway due to the steep grades. Review Planned Parking Strategies for Future St. Croix Riverfront Improvements (Lumberjack Landing and Bridgeview Park) Community Development Director Gladhill summarized existing and planned parking in the downtown area, specifically along the riverfront, and planned improvements in Lumberjack Landing and Bridgeview Park. He added that the City is requesting $6 million in state bonding bill funding for the improvements along the St. Croix River and there is support from local legislators. Bridgeview Park will have some parking added in the southern area for a potential dock and boat launch. The central area will have more passive uses including preservation of the cultural/natural resources and the Bergstein Shoddy Mill with more transient docking; these are all trail amenity type improvements, Downtown Parking Commission Meeting February 17, 2022 Page 3 of 5 not intended to bring in users who have their own parking requirements, but to capture the trail users who are already there. A conservative estimate to improve those buildings for some type of tenant is $1 million; the transient dock will cost around $750,000. The riverbank stabilization project started in 2021 will wrap up this spring which will help advance some of these projects. No additional parking is associated with it. The area where St. Croix Boat & Packet customers park was railroad property. St. Croix Boat & Packet had a previous lease arrangement for their parking use, which the City inherited when it acquired the property. Construction designs have not yet been done for Bridgeview Park, that will occur in 2024-2025. Councilmember Junker asked if any commissioner would favor permanent parking in Bridgeview Park where there is now overflow parking, across from the Oasis. City Planner Wittman noted the site is a part of a draft archeological district. Challenges include the site being in the Stillwater Cultural Landscape District, therefore protected as viewed from the river. The archeological district designation adds a number of issues that will impact any future development. The biggest challenge is that the water table is three to five feet below the surface, so making any improvement will be extremely difficult. Mr. Gladhill added that part of the concern of changing what is in the plan right now is that it was used as part of the mitigation for the river crossing which involved a full environmental impact statement. The City does not want to have to open that up again. Councilmember Junker commented that Lumberjack Landing and Bridgeview Park could be expanded boundaries for the downtown parking district. As it sits today, he would have a hard time supporting permanent parking within Bridgeview Park in the low area that is being parked on now. Commissioner Glynn agreed. Chair McAllister agreed she would not support making that area a parking lot. Because parking is occurring there right now, the City should decide whether to promote and use it temporarily or stop it - that seems to be the question at hand. Councilmember Junker noted if the City receives state funding, it could accelerate some of the improvements and parking in that area could become a bigger issue. Opera on the River Event Application Mr. Gladhill shared the application of St. Croix Valley Opera to host the Opera on the River 2022 Event on Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Lowell Park. The event will consist of a Performing Arts Fair and Concert. In case of rain or severe weather, the event will be moved indoors to Trinity Lutheran Church. If there’s no flooding in the park, the event will be held entirely in Lowell Park. However, if there is flooding, the event organizers are requesting the use of parking lots 5 and 9. The costs for use of lot 5 (7 spaces) and lot 9 (30 spaces) would be $111 ($3/space x 37 spaces), for one day. Staff recommends approval of the use of lots 5 and 9 for the Opera on the River 2022 Event, in the event that there is flooding in Lowell Park. Obed Floan, Executive Director of St. Croix Valley Opera, said this will be the fourth Opera on the River. They have no parking requests other than presented. Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Bates, to approve the use of lots 5 and 9 for Opera on the River, July 30, 2022, at the standard rate of $111 in the event of flooding in Lowell Park. All in favor. St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon Event Application Mr. Gladhill explained the application by Run Stillwater, Inc. to host the St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon Event on Saturday, July 30, 2022. The event uses most of the Loop Trail starting in Western Wisconsin and crossing the river using the St. Croix River Bridge. Runners then go North to Downtown Parking Commission Meeting February 17, 2022 Page 4 of 5 downtown Stillwater along the upper bike bath. The proposed finish line would be at the loop trail between parking lots 2 and 3. The costs for use of 29 spaces in lot 2 ($9/day/space = $261) and 25 spaces in lot 3 ($3/day/space = $75) would be $336. If all 33 spaces would be needed for use in lot 3, that would increase the cost by $24 to a total of $360. Staff recommends approval of the use of lots 2 and 3 for the St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon 2022 Event. Stacy Einck, Coordinator, said they have run this event before and nothing has changed after a two year hiatus. Commissioner Glynn pointed out that the dead end needs to be signed somehow. Mr. Gladhill suggested a few extra stalls be reserved for turnaround room. Race staff should coordinate with City staff to work through turnaround spaces, replacing the handicapped accessible stalls that will be displaced, and communicating with residential parking permit holders that the lots will be closed. Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Rheinberger, to approve the use of lots 2 and 3 for the St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon on July 30, 2022 at the standard fee of $336 ($360 if all 33 spaces in lot 3 are used). All in favor. Consider Recommendation to Amendment Fee Schedule for Downtown Parking Lots 2 & 3 Mr. Gladhill stated that at the last meeting, staff was directed to bring forward a case to consider increasing the parking fee in lot 2 (currently $3) and lot 3 (currently free) both to $5 to simplify and standardize the fee schedule for the Downtown Parking District. The longer-term vision is to prioritize parking fees on more in-demand parking areas, while still generally maintaining a level of free parking within the Downtown Parking District. This would include improving the user experience, improving safety for downtown employees and encouraging more local residents to visit downtown. Staff recommends that the DTPC make a recommendation to the City Council to amend the 2022 Fee Schedule to increase the parking fee for lot 2 and lot 3 to $5. Commissioner Anderson said he would like to make sure when fees change, that the Commission looks at residential parking from every facet. Mr. Gladhill said residential permit parking would still be allowed there and they would not be ticketed. Chairwoman McAllister pointed out this would be the first example of making a residential lot into a pay lot. As far as the charge, she would prefer to level the charge across the system at $5. There is a second discussion about whether or not to make lot 3 a pay lot. The City should get feedback from local businesses and the community and consider how it relates to the broader parking strategy. Councilmember Junker commented that lot 2 should have been $5 five years ago for consistency. The City’s newly formed Economic Development Authority has as its #1 priority, to boost revenue, particularly to service downtown Stillwater where there are extra costs for things like garbage, street cleaning and sidewalks, with no revenue other than the tax base that comes from every resident. Commissioner Glynn commented if the City is looking for revenue then it should raise the rate in lot 1. Mr. Gladhill underscored that the goal is to increase revenue not for the sake of revenue, but to acknowledge the increased costs of services downtown. Additionally, there are many layers to the parking system right now that can create confusion for users. Chair McAllister said there is also the need to look for a new vendor for the parking systems, and to consider how much change can be tolerated. She believes there is still a bias toward thinking of the south end of Main Street as being more valuable for parking and real estate, whereas lots 6 and 7 are now the central part of Main Street because there is now so much happening in the north end. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting February 17, 2022 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Rheinberger said he sees price sensitivity and political problems. It’s better to piecemeal the rate increases. He would support increasing the rates in lots 2 and 3 today. Councilmember Junker pointed out right now there are 2,000 parking spots in downtown Stillwater and 75% of them are free. Over the last two to three years there has been a large influx of visitors. Paying $5 to park all day long is cheap. He does not want to lose another year of revenue on lot 2. Commissioner Anderson said he would like to know how much revenue would be gained from adding $2 to the rate, to help justify it in people’s minds. Mr. Gladhill said he will bring more information back next month, with some fiscal analysis, for further discussion of how to maintain a balance of free parking versus pay parking. DISCUSSION Review Database of Existing Reserved Parking Stalls and Mitigation Permits & Receive Update on Future Plans for Nelson Street Reconstruction Per the DTPC’s request at the last meeting, Mr. Gladhill updated the Commission on the following: Database of Mitigation Permits and Reserved Parking Stalls: Staff is reconciling and updating two separate databases related to Mitigation Permits (Residential and Business) and will present results at the March meeting. Future Nelson Street Improvement Project/401 Main Street S Reserved Parking Stalls: The earliest this project would be scheduled would be 2024 unless otherwise directed by the City Council. Staff is in contact with the Owner of 401 Main St S, who is amenable to removing the reserved parking stalls for the loading dock area. Staff will report back at a future meeting. Receive Update on Downtown Parking Commission Work Plan Mr. Gladhill provided the 2021-2024 DTPC Work Plan. FYI/STAFF UPDATES There were no staff updates. COMMISSION REQUESTS There were no Commission requests. ADJOURNMENT Chair McAllister adjourned the meeting at 9:47 a.m. Heidi McAllister, Chair ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director