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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-16 DTPC MINNEW BUSINESS Downtown Stillwater Parking Commission Meeting Minutes February 16, 2010 Commissioners present: Curt Newcomb, chair; Jeff Johnson, vice chair; Dave Junker. Commissioners absent: David Korte; Kevin LaCasse. Staff present: Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director; John Gannaway, Police Chief; Dennis Pasket, Parking Enforcement. Chair Newcomb called the meeting to order at 8:33 AM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Junker moved to approve the minutes of January 14, 2010. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. St. Croix Boat Packet Mr. Turnblad introduced the item by summarizing his report dated February 15, 2010. As part of its annual dock permit review, the City Council referred the item to the Downtown Parking Commission to consider the impact of St. Croix Boat Packet parking on the downtown parking system. Turnblad noted the following: The number of public parking spots in Downtown Parking Districts 1 2 (everything south of Chestnut St) has increased from 648 to 860 between the years 2000 and 2006. The passenger capacity of the fleet of cruise boats has dropped since 2000 from 1,590 to 1,475. The passenger count between 2002 (the first year the City required passenger counts) and 2009 dropped from 94,377 to 72,287. The peak passenger year was 2003, with 107,074. This was 34,787 more passengers than last year. Mr. Junker stated that the number of public parking spaces available has increased recently and the number of passengers on the cruise boats is dramatically down. Therefore, there is Tess pressure on the downtown parking system. Since the St. Croix Boat Packet permit gets reviewed annually by the Council, if in the future the passenger count turns around and creates an undue burden on downtown parking, it could be addressed then. Mr. Newcomb was not interested in negatively impacting existing businesses downtown, especially if there was no clear burden on the parking system. Mr. Junker moved to forward the dock permit to the City Council with a finding that the St. Croix Boat Packet parking demand has not placed an increased burden on the downtown parking system. Mr. Newcomb seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Parking Commission Minutes February 16, 2010 Page 2 of 3 The Lofts Mr. Turnblad explained the Lofts Home Owner's Association request to lengthen the "no parking" zone immediately south of their driveway. They believe this would improve visibility when trying to exit onto Main Street. Mr. Pasket stated that there is already a 30 foot long "no parking area And, removing just one more parking space would not improve the visibility appreciably. He also mentioned that Stillwater Mills made a similar request for their garage exit on Mulberry Street. That request was denied and Mulberry has less traffic. Mr. Gannaway mentioned that removing one more parking space would not improve traffic safety appreciably. Mr. Junker moved to deny the request. Mr. Newcomb seconded the motion, which passed on a 2 -1 vote. Mr. Johnson voted against the motion. Water Street Inn loading zone Mr. Newcomb said that the owner of Water Street Inn would like to have a space on Water Street in front of his main entrance marked as a passenger loading zone. Mr. Pasket recommended marking the most southerly on- street parking space on the east side of Water Street as "Passenger Loading Unloading Only The curb at this spot would be painted yellow. Mr. Pasket said further that it would be the owner's responsibility to enforce quick turnover of that parking spot. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the request. Mr. Junker seconded the request, which passed unanimously. 15 Minute Parking on Myrtle St. east of Main St. Mr. Newcomb questioned why there was a 15" parking space on the south side of Myrtle Street opposite the gas station. Mr. Pasket said that it was approved by the Parking Commission at the request of the gas station owner. Mr. Junker questioned why there was a 15" parking space in front of the former hardware store on North Main. Mr. Pasket said that this was at the request of the hardware store owner. Since the hardware store is closed, and there is ample parking close to the gas station, Mr. Junker moved to remove the 15" parking sign from the spot in front of the former hardware store and from the space on Myrtle St opposite the gas station. The motion was seconded by Mr. Newcomb and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Parking ramp signage City Planner Mike Pogge explained the status of the parking ramp signage. The Heritage Preservation Commission did not support the 12 square foot projecting sign proposed by the Parking Commission. Mr. Pogge indicated that the HPC felt that building signage would be more effective. They prefer a 6 square foot sign that consists only of a capitalized "P" on a circular black background. The size they prefer is consistent with the pedestrian scale associated with a historic Main Street. Mr. Pogge indicated that the HPC felt that building signage would be more effective. They Mr. Junker noted that the use of this parking ramp on Second Street is for motorists and pedestrians. A motorist needs a larger sign than a pedestrian. Moreover, compared to a 25 foot wide storefront on Main Street, which is allowed a 6 square foot projecting sign, the 200 foot wide parking ramp's proposed 12 square foot sign is not disproportionately large. Parking Commission Minutes February 16, 2010 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Newcomb added that to see the projecting sign from Myrtle Street or Mulberry Street, a motorist needs more than a 6 square foot sign. The Parking Commission unanimously agreed to continue pursuing the 12 square foot projecting sign. Wayfinding signage City Planner Mike Pogge explained that the wayfinding signs used for directing motorists to surface parking Tots have not been comprehensively updated in a decade. And now that the parking ramp is completed, it seems timely to update the wayfinding signage. He left a proposal with the Parking Commission to consider for the next commission meeting. OTHER BUSINESS 2010 Downtown Parking Map Mr. Pasket mentioned that the parking map for this year needs to be edited and forwarded to the printer. He will email it out to everyone. He requested that everyone make any necessary changes or suggestions and return it to him. Next meeting date Mr. Newcomb set the next Parking Commission meeting for March 18 at 8:30 AM, which is the normal meeting date and time. Next agenda The next agenda should include at least the following items: 1) Policy on tour bus parking; 2) Wayfinding signage for surface lots and parking ramp; 3) Discussion on paving the gravel parking Tots; 4) Parking lot improvements for this summer; 5) Policy on special event usage of parking spaces. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Newcomb moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Junker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 AM. Respectfully submitted, Bill Turnblad Acting Recording Secretary