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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 15, 2016 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Glynn, Hopfe, Johnson, Lettner, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Anderson Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of July 21, 2016 meeting minutes There were no changes to the minutes of the July 21, 2016 meeting, other than correction of one typo. NEW BUSINESS Parking lot sign covers Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed a proposal to purchase long-lasting custom sign covers to cover the pay parking signs during the off season. The cost of the 17 sign covers would be $1,635. Staff recommends approval. Commissioner Glynn presented a different, less expensive option for the covers. Mr. Turnblad will follow up to find out how long each type is expected to last and investigate cost of a logo or “Free Parking” wording. Marx Fusion Bistro expansion - parking mitigation Mr. Turnblad explained that Mark Hanson, Marx Bistro, is pursuing an amendment to the Special Use Permit for his property at 241 South Main Street to expand the restaurant into the second story, adding 948 square feet of restaurant and bar space. Since the property has no on-site parking, Mr. Hanson is requesting the Downtown Parking Commission to approve the use of City parking facilities for the parking needs of the expansion. City zoning code requires seven parking spaces for the expansion. Since two apartments there will be replaced with the restaurant space, the current parking for those apartments may be credited against the seven spaces, making the net increased parking requirement five spaces. Staff recommends approving the request to use public parking to mitigate the increased parking Downtown Parking Commission September 15, 2016 Page 2 of 3 need. Mr. Turnblad informed the Commission that with this request, essentially 10% of the public parking spaces would be used with for mitigation, meaning the City is almost at capacity for parking mitigation. He cautioned the Commission about the City allowing more business expansion without adding more parking spaces. He noted there are very preliminary discussions about the need for another ramp, possibly in Lot 1. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Glynn, to approve the request to use public parking to mitigate the increased parking need for the expansion of Marx Fusion Bistro, with two conditions recommended by staff. All in favor, 6-0. SPECIAL EVENTS Harvest Fest Community Development Director Turnblad explained that Summer Tuesdays, Inc. has applied for an event permit to host the 2016 Harvest Fest October 8-9. Organizers are asking to use Lots 4 and 5 as was done last year. Staff recommends that the Commission make a recommendation to the Council on the proposed parking fee of $162 for the spaces in Lots 4 and 5 for two days. Motion by Chairwoman Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to recommend approval of a parking fee of $162 for the use of Lots 4 and 5 for two days for Harvest Fest. All in favor, 6-0. Hockey Day Minnesota Mr. Turnblad stated that The Minnesota Wild, FOX Sports North and Minnesota Hockey are working on a contract with the City for the 11th annual Hockey Day Minnesota outdoor games. The rink to be constructed on Mulberry Point, together with several municipal parking lots, will serve as the event venue. Municipal Lots 8b, 9 and 10 are requested for VIP parking on January 20-21 only. With set-up and takedown, the lots would be used for a total of five days. Staff recommends that the Commission make a recommendation to the Council on the proposed parking fee of $1,260 for the spaces in Lots 8b, 9 and 10 for five days. Councilmember Junker said that he learned at a meeting last night that Hockey Day Minnesota is projecting 6,000 people attending the four games January 21. He said organizers talked extensively about using shuttles from school parking lots. The Ice Castles event projects another 6,000 people on January 21, so there could be 10-14,000 visitors downtown throughout the day on that Saturday. Commissioner Johnson pointed out from the application materials, it appears that Hockey Day Minnesota wants space in Lot 11 reserved also. Commissioner Hopfe asked how this will impact downtown resident overnight parking. Mr. Turnblad replied that Lot 10 allows overnight parking but residents who have passes don’t usually park in Lot 10 - they park further south. Downtown Parking Commission September 15, 2016 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Glynn suggested it would be good to see the details on the shuttle - how many stops, how many buses, and so on. Community Development Director Turnblad suggested tabling the request so Hockey Day Minnesota can come in and explain the shuttle system. Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to table the request for the use of Lots 8b, 9, 10 and part of 11 for Hockey Day Minnesota, for more details on the shuttles. All in favor, 6-0. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Junker asked to place an item on the next agenda to consider possible removal of a parking space at the corner of northbound Second at Mulberry Street for better sight lines. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary