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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-16 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 16, 2015 REGULAR MEETING Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson, Hopfe, Lettner, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioners Helmberger and Johnson Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of April 16, 2015 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the April 16, 2015 meeting minutes. All in favor, 4-0. Approval of June 18, 2015 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to approve the June 18, 2015 meeting minutes. All in favor, 4-0. NEW BUSINESS Judd Sather - Parking Mitigation plan for 123 N. Second Street Community Development Director Turnblad explained that in January 2015, the Parking Commission considered a proposal by Judd Sather to purchase 123 N. Second Street and remodel the second floor for use as an event center. At the time the basement level and first floor were expect to continue with their existing uses. Subsequently, Mr. Sather has purchased the property and the mix of uses will change, as will the parking need for the leased space. In addition, plans for the second floor event center have changed. A revised parking mitigation plan must be determined by the Commission. The increased parking demand for the first floor would be 18 spaces. No increased parking demand is anticipated for the second floor. The 1,200-person capacity event center proposed for the third floor will generate a need for 400 spaces; therefore, the increased demand at capacity for the third floor is 366 spaces (34 current, 400 proposed). The total projected parking increase for the building, based on preliminary floor plans and pre-leases, would be 384 spaces. None of these 384 spaces are available on-site. According to the applicant, large weddings would Downtown Parking Commission Page 2 of 3 draw 300-400 guests and large corporate events would draw 400-500 occupants. Since the parking rate required for this type of use is one parking space for every three people, that would be 134 spaces. If, as previously suggested, 25% of the cars would park in the public on-street and surface lot spaces, that would mean that 34 cars would have to be mitigated for the event center. Under the current fee structure, that would results in a $340 monthly charge to the applicant. In addition, another 18 spaces would have to be mitigated for the first floor uses. Staff recommends that the mitigation plan be re-evaluated by the Commission every two years. Judd Sather, applicant, stated that he expects the average crowds will be under the maximum capacity. He believes the normal average event will draw between 270-300 people. The event center is slated to open in May 2016. Chairwoman Pelletier provided a chart indicating numbers of open parking spaces that she observed over the past weekend. On Friday night, pretty much the only parking spaces available were in Lots 12, 13 and 14, and in the ramp. On Saturday night, there were fewer spaces available. Obviously visitors are not finding the open parking spaces. Somehow, drivers need to be informed where there are open spaces - perhaps a sign at Lot 10 or Lot 1 stating Lot 11 has available spaces. Mr. Sather noted he could inform event center clients where to find open spaces, for instance by directing clients to Lot 12, and directing wedding parties to park in the lot behind Johnny’s TV which is rarely used. Commissioners noted that Lot 12 may get busier with trailhead parking. Community Development Director Turnblad noted the biggest load is created by the Marina which keeps requesting more parking. Commissioner Hopfe said she feels the downtown would be overwhelmed by large events of the capacity proposed, especially since there are so many spaces given to other community events that take up parking spaces. Community Development Director Turnblad recognized that fortunately, some of the available spaces are near the event center. At a certain capacity, the system will naturally be overwhelmed. Perhaps the City could require that shuttle service be provided for events of a certain number. Chairwoman Pelletier concurred with the idea of requiring a shuttle service for parties over a certain number of guests. Perhaps shuttle service could be required only during peak season. Community Development Director Turnblad noted that the City Council is trying to enforce events being held in parks rather than parking lots, according to the policy that the Commission recommended. Downtown Parking Commission Page 3 of 3 Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hopfe, to charge the applicant for 52 parking spaces to be mitigated monthly for the building (18 for the first level and 34 for the third level); and to require that shuttle service be provided to hotels and satellite parking lots whenever the third floor is scheduled for 500 or more occupants; and that the parking mitigation plan for the entire building must be reviewed annually with the first review taking place in May 2017. All in favor, 4-0. OTHER BUSINESS Staff Report Police Chief Gannaway noted that the Departments are in the budget cycle. He asked if the Commission would like Finance Director Sharon Harrison to come to the next meeting to discuss the Parking budget. Commissioners agreed they would like her to attend. Asked by Chairwoman Pelletier about Rumble on the Deck, he noted the event was toned down somewhat from last year. Informing Motorists of Parking Spaces Available Several methods discussed by the Commission to inform motorists of available parking lots during peak demand periods: 1. Place a temporary blue sign in lots 10 & 11 stating “available parking” with an arrow pointing north to Lot 12. 2. 3 x 5 cards that can be handed out by Lot 1 parking attendants and downtown stores that show the lots that typically have available parking spaces (the parking ramp, Lots 12, 13 & 14). 3. Parking attendants should count the number of available spaces in Lots 1-17 routinely so the City can get an accurate picture of where and when spaces are available. Chairwoman Pelletier will create a draft for the card and Community Development Director Turnblad will do a mock-up and send it to the Commissioners for review. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary