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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-20 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 20, 2014 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Hopfe, Helmberger, Johnson, Lettner, Council Representative Kozlowski Absent: Commissioners Anderson and Junker Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the February 20, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Water Street Inn Addition Parking Variance Community Development Director Turnblad explained that the Water Street Inn is planning a three story addition that would create 20 additional guest rooms, a new lobby and entrance on Myrtle Street, and a rooftop patio. The hotel’s existing private parking lot is not large enough to accommodate the existing parking demand and is far short of providing for the increased demand that will be created by the addition. 174 total spaces will be required after the addition is constructed. The existing private parking lot has 58 spaces. The new addition will require an additional 49 spaces. Therefore there will be a 116 space deficit. The City must decide whether to require mitigation for 49 spaces or 116 spaces. Options include requiring the applicant to lease available spaces from an adjacent property owner, purchase monthly parking permits for other lots in the district, or provide valet parking at the City parking ramp for a portion of the increased demand. Staff recommends requiring the applicant to purchase 49 monthly parking ramp permits. Chuck Dougherty, applicant, informed the Commission that when the existing lot is re- striped it will have 64 spaces. He views the project as the continuation of the expansion proposed in 1994 which was scaled back because of finances. In 1994 when considering the proposed expansion, the City calculated 163 spaces would be needed to meet needs of the Inn. The Inn is not expanding the restaurant seating, but changing some space usage around. Downtown Parking Commission March 20, 2014 All the spaces won’t be used at once. Therefore, he feels there is no need for further mitigation of parking at this time. Community Development Director Turnblad replied that the Commission will need to decide what basis to consider in determining how to mitigate the increased parking demand. Mr. Dougherty said he would have no problem buying spaces as needed in the ramp. Since construction won’t start until 2015, there is time to resolve the issue. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the SUP goes to the Council for a decision on April 1. There could be a condition added requiring that the applicant and the City agree on the parking numbers before the building permit is issued. Meanwhile staff could do a needs analysis which would indicate the maximum number of spaces that would likely be needed at one time. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to table the Water Street Inn Addition parking variance request. All in favor, 5-0. Schedule for Downtown Projects Community Development Director Turnblad provided the master timeline for planning and downtown projects. SPECIAL EVENTS Summer Tuesdays Community Development Director Turnblad explained that Summer Tuesdays, Inc. has applied to use Lot 5 each Tuesday from July 8 through August 19 (seven event dates). At $1.50/space, the weekday rate, the fee would be $73.50 for the entire event schedule. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Chairwoman Pelletier, to charge Summer Tuesdays, Inc. $73.50 for the use of Lot 5 on seven Tuesdays from July 8 through August 19. All in favor, 5-0. Stillwater Criterium Bicycle Race Community Development Director Turnblad stated that Lee Stylos has applied for an event permit on behalf of Minnesota Bicycle Festivals, Inc. for the 13th annual Stillwater Criterium Race June 15. The event will use Lots 16 and 17 plus on-street parking along the route. At $3/space, the weekend rate, the fee would be $534. This is the same fee as was paid for the last several years. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to charge Minnesota Bicycle Festivals, Inc. $534 for the use of Lots 16 and 17 and the marked on-street parking. All in favor, 5-0. Page 2 of 3 Downtown Parking Commission March 20, 2014 OTHER BUSINESS 2014 Parking Lot Map Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the two versions of the revised public parking lot map, one for internal use and one for the public. Resident Request Tom Lundeen, Terra Springs resident, requested the Commission consider “compact parking only” on two corners downtown to improve sight lines. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket replied that a similar request was made previously and the Commission determined that if drivers proceed slowly, the sight lines are adequate. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 a.m. All in favor, 5-0. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3