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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-23 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 23, 2014 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. Present: Chair Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Helmberger, Hopfe, Johnson, Junker, and Lettner Absent: None Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Junker, seconded by Commissioner Helmberger, to approve the September 18, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor, 7-0. NEW BUSINESS JX Events, 120-122 South Main Alternative Parking Review Community Development Director Turnblad stated that Judd Sather is planning to open a second event center downtown, to be known as JX Event Venue. A two-phase buildout is envisioned, with the first phase opening by spring 2015 accommodating up to 367 people at 120 and 122 S. Main. The second phase would open by 2017 upstairs at 124 S. Main, increasing the total capacity for both spaces to 630 people. He explained the occupancy capacity as set by the Building Official. Phase I would have a parking requirement of 123 spaces or 86 more than the previous use for this location. If Phase II develops as proposed, it it would have a parking demand of 80 spaces, resulting in a total increased parking requirement of 166 parking spaces for both phases as currently envisioned. The applicant is requesting the City allow them to mitigate their 166 parking space deficit increase with public parking. The total peak season mitigation number would rise to 353 for this venue. That represents 28% of the total public parking lot spaces downtown, and 18.8% of the total public lot and on-street spaces. If 166 spaces are mitigated, the monthly cost would be $1,660. Staff has concerns about the magnitude of the impacts that both phases would have on the parking system and on Main Street. Therefore staff recommends denial of the request to mitigate the total parking deficit with public parking. However, if only the first level were to develop as an event space, the impact to public parking and traffic flow may be manageable. Downtown Parking Commission October 23, 2014 Chairwoman Pelletier voiced concern about the downtown parking system being able to handle the extra demand. Commissioner Junker pointed out the applicant is paying for spaces for his clients at his current venue, even though there is no guarantee the spots in the parking ramp will be available. Commissioner Anderson remarked that packing 200-300 people into the building seems unrealistic for the site. Commissioner Junker commented that there are many businesses downtown that have no parking on-site. The City should be proactive for business owners who are revitalizing the downtown by drawing visitors. Mr. Sather provided background on his business venture. It is a two-day per week event center. The occupancy numbers in the staff report are based on businesses that are open every day. He needs to make some money before he can revitalize the upstairs which has been vacant for 3 years. He is willing to do a trolley or van service to get customers to the ramp. He feels his proposal would be a good thing to fill up the City ramp. Commissioner Hopfe said the Commission needs to consider that if it approves something this big downtown, it also needs to look at special events that shut down parking lots and have a huge impact on downtown. Commissioner Helmberger remarked he is excited about the idea of a new event center downtown. Mr. Sather stated that his business is 95% weddings because people love to get married in Stillwater and there is not a space that can hold over 300 people. If charged the full $1,600 a month for parking deficit mitigation, he would try to pass that on to clients but he is concerned about the risk of committing to that amount. Commissioner Anderson said he would oppose any loading on Main Street due to congestion and potential safety problems. Commissioner Helmberger stated it’s uncertain what the area will look like as far as turn lanes and so on, till after the bridge is done. Chair Pelletier remarked this would be one of the biggest event venues downtown and the City is already strapped for parking. She agrees there are parking spots available but customers are not finding them. There is still a perception that there is no parking in downtown Stillwater. Police Chief Gannaway stated there are a lot of parking tickets issued when there are large groups at the Grand banquet hall. Page 2 of 5 Downtown Parking Commission October 23, 2014 The Commission discussed other businesses that were supposed to provide shuttles for off- site parking, and questioned whether that is happening regularly. Mr. Sather informed the Commission that the Building Inspector asked him to put an elevator in the Union Alley side of the site, so that would be the primary entrance for both levels. He would direct clients to the ramp and Union Alley for parking. Commissioner Junker said the perception always has been that there is a lack of parking in downtown Stillwater - the ramp is never full. For some reason few visitors are parking in the ramp. Mr. Sather responded that his business could channel people to the parking ramp. He could require brides to pre-purchase tickets for the ramp. Because this would be a second venture for him, it is a big risk when he already has a successful business. He would like to do it, but the numbers are getting a little too high. Chair Pelletier commented she doesn’t know whether the amount of money, $1,600, is a critical factor. She thinks it’s the actual number of parking spots available to people driving around and looking for them, which might not be difficult for Mr. Sather’s clients, but which adds parking demand to an already-stressed system. Commissioner Anderson voiced concern that the proposal would use such a large percentage of the parking system. Commissioner Johnson responded if 28% of the downtown public parking spaces are being used by businesses, that’s what the parking is there for. Commissioner Junker remarked if something is going to happen with this 15,000 square foot site, no matter what business it is, it will not be able to provide its own parking. This proposal would bring business to Stillwater and revitalize the space. Community Development Director Turnblad said even when the Lowell Inn is busy, the ramp is never more than half full. The only time it is filled currently is July 4th. Mr. Sather stated he doesn’t know if he would do the project if it were only the first phase, because he needs the revenue provided by the ability to host multiple events at one time. Commissioner Hopfe said the event center would be great for downtown but that particular site is difficult. Mr. Sather responded if he changes the main entrance to Union Alley, where the elevator will be, that will be even closer to the ramp. Motion by Commissioner Junker, seconded by Commissioner Helmberger, to approve the request to mitigate the JX Event Venue’s parking deficit for Phase I by using the public parking Page 3 of 5 Downtown Parking Commission October 23, 2014 system and compensating for that use at the rate of $10 per month for each of the 86 deficit parking spaces. Motion failed, 3-3-1, with Commissioners Junker, Helmberger and Johnson in favor, and Commissioners Anderson, Hopfe and Chairwoman Pelletier opposed. Commissioner Lettner abstained because he is a vendor for the Sather event center. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that after Planning Commission review, the proposal will go to the Council. Summer Tuesdays request for 2014 fee reduction Community Development Director Turnblad noted that high water affected all events downtown including Summer Tuesdays which had to move to Lot #2. As a result the standard fee was applied which was $936. Summer Tuesdays would like this reduced to $6.24 per day rather than $9 per space. Corey Buettner, Summer Tuesdays, explained that Summer Tuesdays is a nonprofit and runs on a very thin budget. After the events, it received an invoice for the additional amount charged for use of a different lot than originally planned due to high water. Councilmember Polehna had suggested the event move to South Lowell Park. Chair Pelletier said $9 seems fair for an event. She is concerned this may set a precedent for other groups but understands there are extenuating circumstances in this case. Motion by Commissioner Junker, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to charge Summer Tuesdays $6 per space per day instead of $9. All in favor, 7-0. OTHER BUSINESS Update on Contractor Parking in Lot 12 Community Development Director Turnblad stated that work stopped in Lot 12 because of a shortage of fly ash to make cement. It is still hopeful the lot may be completed this fall. Also, the Council discussed a new winter downtown on-street parking regulation which will likely be adopted. He informed the Commission that a private contractor has been using Lot 11 to park their equipment. The City Attorney said the current ordinance is not explicit enough to prevent this, so staff will bring language back to the Commission to help draft a revision to the ordinance which will be more specific about commercial use of downtown lots. Chairwoman Pelletier asked the Commission if they are OK with her meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission to discuss ramp signage. Commission consensus was that this would be alright. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Junker, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn at 10:00 a.m. All in favor, 7-0. Page 4 of 5 Downtown Parking Commission October 23, 2014 Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5