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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-17 DTPC Packet DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION August 17, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Possible approval of the June 15th, 2023 meeting minutes IV. OPEN FORUM - The Open Forum is a portion of the Commission meeting to address subjects which are not a part of the meeting agenda. The Chairperson may reply at the time of the statement or may give direction to staff regarding investigation of the concerns expressed. Out of respect for others in attendance, please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. V. CONSENT AGENDA – These items are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion with no discussion. Anyone may request an item to be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS 2. Enforcement Plan and Methodology starting September 8 3. St. Croix Boat and Packet Parking in Bridgeview Park 4. Signage and QR Code Needs for Downtown Parking VIII. FYI – STAFF UPDATES 5. Expanded Pay Zone Implementation Date = September 8, 2023 IX. ADJOURNMENT DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING June 15, 2023 Chairman Glynn called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Glynn, Commissioners Bates, Kaufer, Lentz, Rheinberger, Councilmember Junker Absent: Commissioner Lepage Staff present: Community Development Director Gladhill, Assistant Planner Gutknecht APPOINT CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Bates, to nominate Glynn as Chair and Rheinberger as Vice Chair. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of April 20, 2023 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Chairman Glynn, to approve the April 20, 2023 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. Chair Glynn asked if the clean-up of the north parking lot by the Zephyr is in preparation for park construction, and Community Development Director Gladhill replied that the cleanup is related to the sale of the Zephyr Theatre building to the Manitou Fund for River Grove School. The Zephyr Theatre will lease the space outside of school hours. The lot won’t be open to the public now, but may be in the future. The City is working on an agreement for shared parking which will be reviewed by the DTPC. Councilmember Junker added that the City Council voted to not give the school exclusive use of that parking lot, knowing that Lumberjack Landing is being developed. Commissioner Bates asked if the City has looked into use of a parking lot in Bridgeview Park south of the Oasis where a sign was posted and there is a fresh coat of paint. Mr. Gladhill replied if the DTPC wants staff to enforce the parking that has not been approved, the DTPC should make a motion. Construction is probably a few years out. Commissioner Junker stated that in the past, the Council has been adamant they did not want parking in Bridgeview Park in that green space where there are archaeological ruins. Chairman Glynn remarked if construction won’t start until next year he would favor letting it go, while Commissioner Bates said he would favor enforcing it sooner than waiting a few years, and Commissioner Lentz agreed it should be enforced. Mr. Gladhill agreed to bring the issue to the July meeting with more info from the City Attorney. Commissioner Junker stated he and Mr. Gladhill were approached by a private building owner about potentially converting up to 80 spaces in his private lot east of Main Street to participate in the 1'111! 11111HPLACI! If ■IIIEIOU, Downtown Parking Commission Meeting June 15, 2023 Page 2 of 2 downtown parking zones. More info will be coming. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS River Siren Brewery Outdoor Event Parking Reservation Review Assistant Planner Gutknecht explained that applicant Brian Carlson, River Siren Brewing Co, is seeking an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to conduct multiple outdoor events intermittently throughout the year in River Siren Brewing’s approximately 8,800 square foot parking lot at 225 Main Street North. On April 26, the application was tabled by the Planning Commission until June 28. The property contains 27 parking stalls. Most of the proposed events would use the entire parking lot, creating a 27-stall deficiency. Staff recommends that the property owner pay the equivalent of the parking reservation fee of $9 per day for each stall that is closed for the event. Mr. Gladhill added that this is actually a parking reservation fee, the same as what the City would do in one of its lots. Councilmember Junker voiced concern that this went to the Planning Commission without having discussion with the City Council. The reason every business with a parking lot may use it up to three times per year for events is to maintain the balance of events downtown. There are now over 50 event-days in the City. He believes this request would turn their parking lot into a year-round event center and have major impact on downtown parking. Mr. Gladhill explained this was brought forward to say, what if this were approved, should there be a condition that they need to pay the appropriate fee? If the DTPC is not comfortable with the recommendation of the parking reservation fee and feel it has too many impacts related to downtown parking, that could be the Commission’s recommendation. Mr. Gutknecht added that, in response to concerns of the Planning Commission about the number of events, the applicant then agreed to try to restrict it to no more than two events per month, on off weekends to not conflict with other events. Chairman Glynn said he feels events should be encouraged because they bring more people, but how many events do you have? He would handle it from a conditional use perspective, making it a Planning Commission issue. If the applicant is willing to work to not add pressure to parking then something along that line would be equitable, but not turning a parking lot into an event center. For smaller private events, it’s their property and the City could can charge for the displaced parking, but for public events that are meant to draw more people, it’s harder on the parking system. Mr. Gladhill stated the Central Business District allows special events as an Interim Use Permit. One- time special events may be approved directly by the City Council. It generally appears that the DTPC feels the proposal involves far too many events and they should bring a more reasonable proposal. He presented three options for a motion. An approval of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. Chairman Glynn suggested the City Council should review the proposal. Mr. Gladhill stated under State Statute, the City only has till July 22 to act unless the applicant grants more extensions. If the DTPC is not comfortable with the proposal, it may recommend denial with a note it is open to a similar proposal with further refinement and with the finding there is too great an impact to the downtown parking system. Maybe with all feedback so far from the DTPC and Planning Downtown Parking Commission Meeting April 20, 2023 Page 3 of 3 Commission, it makes sense to take it in concept to the City Council. If there is a denial the applicant would have to wait one year to bring it back in its current form, or they could bring back a proposal with fewer events. Commissioner Bates added that it also sets a precedent, not just for the 27 stalls, but how many other requests would come in? Motion by Commissioner Rheinberger, seconded by Commissioner Bates, to recommend denial of the IUP with the findings there is too great an impact to downtown parking, lack of clarity around the comprehensive impacts to downtown, and concern about setting a precedent for similar uses in the future. All in favor. FYI/STAFF UPDATES Downtown Parking Pay Zone Implementation Update Mr. Gladhill reported that on June 1 the existing pay zones were reactivated with the new fee schedule of $1/hour between 10 am and 10 p.m. Day one worked well with a few snafus with the credit card terminals. A business toolkit will be developed. Feedback has been positive or quiet. Councilmember Junker said he would like to see the Police Chief and Parking Enforcement Officer come to the July meeting to give updates and discuss the enforcement philosophy. Additionally, much of downtown needs to be re-striped. Chairman Glynn asked if the City can do a QR code for parking, and Mr. Gladhill said yes. COMMISSION REQUESTS ADJOURNMENT Chairman Glynn adjourned the meeting at 9:24 a.m. Brad Glynn, Chair ATTEST: ________________ Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director DATE: August 17, 2023 TO: Honorable Chair and Downtown Parking Commissioners FROM: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Downtown Parking Enforcement Methodology At a previous Commission Meeting, the Commission requested a discussion about enforcement methodology and resources. Police Chief Brian Mueller has been invited to attend this discussion. No action is being requested at this time. DATE: August 17, 2023 TO: Honorable Chair and Downtown Parking Commissioners FROM: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Private Parking in Bridgeview Park At a previous Commission Meeting, the Commission requested a discussion about private parking occurring in Bridgeview Park (south of Downtown). Staff will be prepared to discuss timing and implementation plans related to future Bridgeview Park improvements. DATE: August 17, 2023 TO: Honorable Chair and Downtown Parking Commissioners FROM: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Downtown Parking Signage and QR Code Needs and Ideas At a previous Commission Meeting, the Commission requested a discussion about signage and QR Codes. The Commission is asked to share their ideas on additional signage needs related to Downtown Parking.