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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-17 DTPC MINDOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 17, 2014 REGULAR MEETING 8:30 A.M. Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chair Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Hopfe, Helmberger, Johnson, Lettner Absent: Commissioner Junker, Council Representative Kozlowski Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the March 20, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor, 6-0. NEW BUSINESS Spring Art Fair Parking Community Development Director Turnblad explained that the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is requesting permission to reserve Municipal Lots 8b and 9, totaling 119 spaces, for the Rivertown Art Festival to be held on Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1. Under the current schedule, the fee would be $3 per space per day, totaling $1,071. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend that the Spring Art Fair be charged $1,071 to reserve Lot 8b and Lot 9. All in favor, 6-0. Wok on Water Alternative Parking Provisions Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request. Shiqin Chen, owner of the Wok on Wheels vending truck parked at Let There Be Light, would like to open a restaurant storefront at 126 North Main Street. Since it will have no on-site parking spaces, the City’s downtown parking standards require mitigation by purchase of monthly parking permits at $10 per month per permit. The parking requirement is 11 spaces, seven more than required by the previous dental office use. Staff recommends that the building owner or business owner purchase seven parking lot permits per month. Downtown Parking Commission April 17, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend that Wok on Water be required to purchase seven monthly parking permits to mitigate the deficit in on-site parking. All in favor, 6-0. Allowing permit parking in pay lots Chair Pelletier suggested that the lots that are empty during the day might generate income by allowing permit parking. Community Development Director Turnblad noted there are currently certain lots in the system for which permits are valid, and the 3 or 4 hour parking limits do not apply. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket remarked that business owners often set poor examples for employees by parking right in front of their business rather than leaving the space for customers. Community Development Director Turnblad commented that when everything east of Main becomes a $5 pay lot, parking may be distributed more evenly. He agreed to put the discussion on the November agenda. Police Chief Gannaway reminded the Commission that whatever is decided, make sure it’s easily enforceable. OTHER BUSINESS Water Street Inn Alternative Parking Provisions (continued from March 20, 2014 meeting) Community Development Director Turnblad explained that the Water Street Inn is planning a three-story addition on the north of the existing building. The facility as proposed will have a parking requirement of 211 spaces. Because the Inn’s private lot has 58 spaces, there will be a deficit of 153 spaces. Staff recommends requiring the purchase of 61 monthly parking permits, which represents the increased deficit the proposed facility would have over the existing building, with two conditions: 1) if the front two rooms are used as retail rather than meeting space, the parking deficit may be reduced from 61 to 46; and 2) as a building permit is issued, look at square footage again in case the number of spaces needs to be tweaked. Chuck Dougherty, owner, stated he will try using valet parking in nearby private lots or the ramp. He asked if the permit requirement might be adjusted in the winter since he does not have outdoor dining in the winter. Community Development Director Turnblad confirmed that in the off-season the requirement would be lower due to no outdoor dining, so this should be another condition of approval. Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Chairwoman Pelletier, to recommend that the Council require the purchase of 61 monthly permits between May 1 and October 31 each year, and that during the off-season, the required number of parking permits would be reduced Page 2 of 3 Downtown Parking Commission April 17, 2014 since there is no outside service area; and that the two conditions in the staff report be incorporated into the recommendation. All in favor, 6-0. Invoicing Alternative Provision Permits Community Development Director Turnblad stated that since the downtown parking alternative provision was started in 1999, the City maintains records of which establishments are required to purchase monthly permits, but does not invoice the businesses. About one- fourth of the businesses purchase the permits regularly as required; the rest do not. He asked if the City should start invoicing these businesses. It would generate approximately $12,000 a year. It was the consensus of the Commission to recommend that the Council institute a policy to invoice all downtown businesses that are obligated to pay for downtown parking permits. Collecting Parking Fees Chair Pelletier asked the City can hold off on pay parking till May 5, to enable volunteers helping at the downtown clean up May 3 to park for free. Motion by Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to postpone collecting pay parking fees until May 5. All in favor, 6-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Helmberger, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 a.m. All in favor, 6-0. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3