HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-15 DTPC Packeti11w*i
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA
DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION
AGENDA
Thursday, October 15, 2015
8:30 AM Conference Room 213, City Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 MINUTES
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.01 Kids Oasis parking mitigation
4.02 Downtown residential guest passes
4.03 Short term parking: Feed Store and DQ
5. OTHER BUSINESS
6. ADJOURNMENT
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TNE 1I11TN►LACE OF MINNESOTA
DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
September 17, 2015
REGULAR MEETING
Chairwoman Pelletier called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m.
Present: Chairwoman Pelletier, Commissioners Anderson and Hopfe, Council
Representative Junker
Absent: Commissioners Helmberger, Lettner and Johnson
Staff: Community Development Director Turnblad, Police Chief Gannaway, Parking
Enforcement Officer Pasket, Finance Director Harrison (arrived at 8:49)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of July 16, 2015 meeting minutes
Because there was not a quorum, no action was taken on the July 16, 2015 minutes.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed 2016 Budget
Community Development Director Turnblad explained the 2016 budgets for the parking
ramp and the surface lots. The City Council reviewed the budgets in late August and
approved them. Downtown Parking Commission review of the proposed budgets was
scheduled in August prior to Council approval, but the August Downtown Parking
Commission meeting was cancelled for a lack of a quorum. Consequently, the only changes
that can be made to the budget now would be the revenue projections and operating cost line
items. Capital cost changes or major changes to the budget would have to be approved by the
Council. Credit card technology is changing and will soon require a chip in addition to the
strip. In 2016, the City will be expected to provide the chip -reading technology if possible,
but if there is credit card fraud, liability would not fall to the City. By 2017, the City will
have to determine how to handle credit card fraud in regard to the new technology.
Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket said according to the parking equipment vendor, it
would cost around $20,000 to update the equipment for the new credit card technology, but
this may be a waste of money, because it would take a long time to incur $20,000 of
fraudulent parking charges.
Community Development Director Turnblad added in the meantime, the City will have to
ensure it has liability coverage for charges made with other vendors. For now, the League of
Downtown Parking Commission September 17, 2015
Minnesota Cities says it will cover this type of liability. The parking ramp revenue is
covering operation but not depreciation. Some way will have to be found to cover these
costs.
Downtown Resident Guest Passes
Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the question has arisen whether a
downtown resident may buy a pass for guests. For $20 a month, downtown residents may
buy passes to park overnight in Lots 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17. If the City allows every
condo owner to also buy a guest pass, it would be hard to control.
Police Chief Gannaway commented this would create an enforcement nightmare.
Councilmember Junker said he was approached by the Lofts, which would like to buy 5-6
passes as an association, to be used for residents' family members who stay overnight.
Community Development Director Turnblad reminded the Commission that during the
winter, the City prohibits on -street parking in order to facilitate plowing, so free parking is
allowed in surface lots downtown. Therefore, residents aren't required to buy permits during
the winter, Nov. 1 - Apr 30. Vehicles still have to be moved after 24 hours.
Chairwoman Pelletier said the guest parking pass would be a nice thing to offer downtown
residents.
Commissioner Hopfe suggested restricting it to one week.
Councilmember Junker asked what is the difference between a condo association or a
business buying monthly passes? It is still one spot.
Commissioner Anderson suggested using the normal residential pass and trying that - if it's
abused, do something else. The was consensus to try this approach.
15-Minute Parking Spaces on Chestnut and Short Term Parking at Feed Store
Community Development Director Turnblad explained there are two situations where
business changes have affected on street parking short term spots: 1) Dairy Queen and 2) the
Feed Store. With Dairy Queen's move to the Highway 36 corridor and the change of
ownership at the feed store, it may be time to consider changes to the short term parking
spaces that are adjacent to these buildings.
Commissioner Hopfe remarked there should be some 15-minute spaces distributed around
downtown, as they are very helpful for people picking up things from shops.
Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket commented the three 15-minute spots on the south side
of Chestnut seem sufficient to handle the businesses that are there.
Page 2 of 3
Downtown Parking Commission September 17, 2015
Commissioner Anderson suggested eliminating all 15-minute spaces on the north side of
Chestnut.
Chairwoman Pelletier stated the 15-minute spaces shouldn't be eliminated unless they are
added somewhere else. This should be discussed when more Commissioners are present. She
would be open to eliminating some of the loading spaces by the Feed Store, and is willing to
go talk to the owner and report back to the Commission.
OTHER BUSINESS
Lot 1 - Overflow Map to Parking Ramp
Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket handed out parking maps.
Commissioner Hopfe said over Labor Day weekend there were some heated, emotional
discussions over the parking lots being filled, especially with guests going to the boats for
events such as weddings, who were unable to find a place to park.
Community Development Director Turnblad said perhaps St. Croix Boat and Packet could
put a map on their web site and remind their guests of the traffic delays and parking situation.
If guests are aware that they will have to park several blocks away, they would be able to
handle it better. There are ways to inform the public about parking information and alternate
routes into town. He agreed to talk with St. Croix Boat and Packet to see if they would put
the parking maps on their web site and tell their event bookers about the parking situation.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairwoman Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Kink, Recording Secretary
Page 3 of 3
PARKING COMMISSION
DATE: October 12, 2015
APPLICANT: John & Kelly Daly, owners of Kid's Oasis
REQUEST: Parking mitigation approval for an indoor play and family event space to
be known as KID'S OASIS located at 120 South Main Street
CASE NO.: 2015-33
REPORT BY: Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director
REQUEST
John and Kelly Daly are
proposing to create an
indoor play space and
small family event center
at 120 So Main Street. The
business plan includes
walk-in, open play times
for the public on weekday
and Saturday mornings.
On afternoons and
Sundays the party rooms
will be available for rent.
Rental of the party rooms
would then allow private
use of the play area.
All children would be
supervised by a parent or guardian; no drop -in child care services will be provided.
PARKING STANDARDS & MITIGATION
By adopted policy, downtown buildings that increase their parking demand must
mitigate that increased demand. The previous use for this space was retail (sale of
antiques), which by Zoning Ordinance required 10 spaces1. The proposed Kid's Oasis
use will have an occupancy load of 88 people2. This occupancy load requires 30 parking
spaces3. So, the increase in parking demand would be 20 spaces.
The location of the proposed play center is the middle of the 100 block of South Main
Street. Though the public parking supply experiences the greatest demands south of
Myrtle, the location is reasonably close to the parking ramp. In addition, the peak
season for indoor play and indoor children parties is not during the parking system's
peak use period.
IMPACT ON PARKING DISTRICT
There are 1,842 public parking spaces in the downtown parking district. 1,260 of these
spaces are located within city parking lots, the rest are on -street spaces.
Currently during peak periods up to 138 public parking spaces are being used to
compensate for the increase in business needs since 19994. The 20 space deficit
proposed by Kids Oasis would bring the total maximum to 158. That would be 8.6% of
the public parking spaces downtown.
Fortunately, the increased need in spaces generated by Kids Oasis will peak during the
off-peak season for the downtown parking system. Nonetheless, the business owners
should at a minimum encourage their customers on its website and marketing materials
to use the municipal parking ramp.
ALTERNATIVES AND RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve mitigation of the lack of parking for the increased demand by allowing
the use of the public parking system, with the following conditions:
a. No drop-off child care services shall be permitted.
b. The three meeting rooms shall not be reserved for parties or other use at
any time during walk-in, public play time periods.
c. The business owners must encourage their customers on its website and
marketing materials to use the municipal parking ramp.
1 2,970 total sf of space minus 150 sf storage and mechanical space leaves 2,820 sf of retail space. At a rate of one parking space
per 300 sf of retail space, 9.4 spaces were mathematically required. Any partial space is rounded up. So, 10 were required.
2 The business plan for the space is to have EITHER the three rental party rooms in use, OR have the play area open to the public.
But, the public will not have access to the play area during hours that the party rooms are rented. Since the open play space
generates a larger parking demand that the rental rooms, this 1,500 sf of play space is used to determine the business's parking
demand. Of the 1,500 sf of play area, 1,320 will be available when the presence of the play structures are taken into account.
At a rate of 1 person per 15 sf in the 1,320 sf of resulting open play area, the occupancy load is 88 people.
31 parking space for each 3 people of designed occupancy load
4 Many businesses have less space on -site than their customers and employees need. But, many existed prior to 1999 when the
current "alternative provisions" policy became standard. So, there are quite a few "grandfathered" businesses that are not
obligated to pay for off -site parking.
d. The 20 spaces of increased parking demand may be met by using the
public parking system, as long as a monthly fee is paid to offset some of
the City costs associated with providing that public parking system. The
fee per space to mitigate City costs will be set annually by the City
Council. Currently the fee is $10 per month per space. Therefore, at
current rates the business owner will be responsible for paying $200 per
month. The fee shall be paid upon receipt of City invoice. Failure to pay
fees within 30 days of invoice will be certified for collection with the real
estate taxes. The applicant waives any and all procedural and substantive
objections to the parking mitigation fee in -lieu of on -site parking
requirements, including but not limited to a claim that the City lacks
authority to impose and collect the fees. The applicant agrees to
reimburse the City for all costs incurred by the City in defense of
enforcement of this provision.
2. Determine that the proposed play center creates a disproportionate or undue
burden upon the City's downtown parking system, and therefore deny the
request to use public parking to satisfy the parking demand created by the
proposed change of property use.
3. Table the request until 11/19/2015.
Staff recommends the first alternative.
Attachments Applicant Narrative (2 pages)
Floor Plan
Floor Plan with Dimensions
Parking Map
Parking Use Table
Kid's Oasis will be an indoor play space with retail and party options. This space will service
families with babies, toddlers and young children under 8 along with family community groups . Our
vision for the space includes the offering of quality items to purchase along with creative free play and
learning for young children in a safe and stimulating environment.
In Minnesota, our months of inclement weather often prevent young children from getting the
active play times they need to grow and learn. Other surrounding communities offer similar indoor play
options and Stillwater residents often frequent these businesses.
Woodbury, Hudson, White Bear Lake, Eagan and Shoreview all offer an indoor play option. Many
of these are privately held businesses that compliment the park systems within their communities.
Stillwater is fortunate enough to have the best outdoor park available for children under 8; Teddy
Bear Park. Our business would compliment those same families that visit the park during the colder
months and rainy days. Families are used to coming into downtown Stillwater to allow their children to
play, and more often than not, the families then frequent the various downtown businesses for dining or
shopping. Parking for these families has not been an obstacle to overcome and with the majority of our
business being projected to occur during the off peak season, parking issues should not be a
determining factor on frequent visits to the play space.
The retail and check in area will have room for indoor stroller parking and lockers for securing
purses and bags to allow hands free play. All areas will be thoughtfully designed to be wheelchair
accessible , so that special needs children will be able to access all play areas. Inclusion of all children
is of key importance to our concept.
The play areas will be surrounded in a town theme throughout with facades to resemble various
places they would want to explore. These will include a grocery store, restaurant, post office, farm,
beach, train depot, zoo and carnival.
In each area, there will be creative play toys and activities for children to create their own scenarios of
play while interacting with other children and parents. Many of the play options will contain the quality
toys that Gammy & Gumpy's already offer to continue the continuity of the 2 spaces creating a family
destination.
There will be an interior door between the two spaces near the stroller parking and lobby area of
Kid's Oasis to allow customers to visit both businesses. At Kid's Oasis all play spaces will have enough
space for parents to be interactive with their children as well. PARENTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES. Although we would be properly staffed for safety, there
will be absolutely no times where staff are responsible for the care of any child without an adult
present.
The areas will be sectioned, but will remain open to allow safe access and exit, and there will be an
infant space for children 0-12 months that consists of soft play flooring and toys that promote gross and
fine motor skills, such as balls, shape sorters, climbing blocks and tummy time.
The next area will be for all ages(0-8) and is an indoor "beach" sandbox. A walled off area with a built-
in sandbox that will be 8 ft wide by 10 ft long. This area allows creative play promoting fine motor
skills and interacting with others and sharing.
There will be various town themed building facades that house creative exploration. These areas
include a play restaurant, grocery store, post office, zoo and train depot. These all allow children to
pretend to cook, serve others, learn about different fields and use their imaginations to encourage
creative thinking and reasoning skills.
The play areas will include 2-3 inflatable structures that allow for large motor skill play. The
structures can hold up to 2001bs at a time and up to 4-6 children. Staff will monitor the number of
children using the structures at any given time. The structures are specifically made with younger
children's capabilities in mind and have easy access for parents to see and touch their children. The
structures would be purchased from a USA made manufacturer that has high ratings of safety and
complies with all commercial use and safety standards.
The back portion of the space would house 3 separate party rooms for birthday parties and group
rental for parent and community group meetings. Special needs children's groups will be strongly
encouraged to use the space for their meetings. Each of the three rooms will be set up to host parties of
8-16 children. The parties would be a 2 hour time frame and would include one hour of play time and
one hour of party room usage. Parties would have the opportunity to have per -ordered pizza delivered
from Quick Fire Pizza next door, along with commercially prepared cakes from a licensed bakery. No
food preparation would be done at the business. No food products would be sold with the exception of
pre -bottled water or juices.
The space already has in place a full sprinkling system and has proper access and fire exits for
recreational usage and 2 ADA compliant Family Bathrooms would be added to meet MN code. We
would work closely with the City Building Inspector and all state agencies for licenses and guidelines.
children's safety and well being is of key importance to us regardless of requirements. We would
maintain the proper insurance and liability insurance policies and would have a competent staff, well
trained in children's needs, safety and customer service.
The space would have Open play for residents and visitors Monday through Saturday from 9am
-lpm. Families would pay a small fee per child and accompanying adults would be allowed in at no
charge. No adults without children would be allowed into the space at any time, with the exception of
staff. No child without an adult would be allowed in or out at any time. Families would receive specific
wristbands to identify the children as they enter and leave the facility.
No parties would be scheduled during those free play hours. The meetings and or parties are only
scheduled during non public hours for exclusive use of the premises. Including proper staffing, there
would be no more than 60 to maximum capacity of approximately 80 people at any given time. The
projected hours of operation are Monday- Saturday 9am- 8pm and Sundays 12-6pm.
We have a strong commitment to the Stillwater community and an even stronger commitment to the
growth and education of our smallest citizens. We feel this opportunity to allow the use of this space to
create an environment that promotes healthy learning through creative play will be a wonderful
addition to the families that visit the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. We look forward
to the day families don't need to leave our community to enjoy indoor play somewhere else.
N
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Lot 12
Lot 11
"Lot
Lot 18
Lot 10
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA
Municipal
Downtown Stillwater
2015
Legend
City Parking Lot
. City Parking Ramp
Private parking only
7 Permit parking only
R7Trailhead Parking
Lots where Monthly Permits are Valid
* Business Permit *
* DT Resident Permit **
* Allows vehicle in lot longer than the
posted limit (but, not overnight)
**Allows Dowtown Residents to park
overnight
15 minute parking limit
.30 minute parking limit
Loading/unloading
- Bus loading/unloading
. Bus parking
On -street handicapped
• Free parking
• Pay parking
O Free parking
after office hours
• Numbers in circle = hour limits
for free parking lots
Lot 1 -- 98 spaces
Lot 2 -- 84 spaces
Lot 3 -- 33 spaces
Lot 4 -- 29 spaces
Lot 5 -- 7 spaces
Lot 6 -- 16 spaces
Lot 7 -- 16 spaces
Lot 8a -- 51 spaces
Lot 8b 75 spaces
Lot 9 -- 30 spaces
Lot 10 -- 48 spaces
Lot 11 -- 45 spaces
Lot 12 -- 101 spaces
Lot 13 -- 23 spaces
Lot 14 -- 8 spaces
Lot 15 -- 13 spaces
Lot 16 -- 47 spaces
Lot 17 -- 97 spaces
Lot 18 -- 60 spaces
Lot 19 -- 75 spaces
Lot 20 -- 22 spaces
Ramp -- 248 spaces
Total spaces in lots = 1,226
468 marked on -street parking spaces
148 unmarked on -street parking spaces
1,842 total public spaces
1,412 free spaces (76.7%)
Map produced for
Stillwater Parking Commission
3/18/15
Municipal Parking Lots
Car Counts
Lot #
Spaces
Count
Count
Count
Count
Count
Count
Count
Count
Count
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
Day/time
7/10/2015
7/10/2015
7/11/2015
7/11/2015
7/11/2015
7/11/2015
7/12/2015
7/12/2015
1
98
4:30 PM
55
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
11
12:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
1:00 PM
3:30 PM
.
2
84
38
84
19
80
84
84
84
84
3
33
29
33
21
P 33
33
33
33
33
4
29
24
29
5
29
29
29
29
29
5
7
4
7
3
7
7
7
7
7
6
16
12
15
6
16
15
16
16
15
7
16
13
16
13
16
16
16
16
16
8b
75
49
75
14
75
75
75
75
67
9
30
20
30
8
30
30
30
18
30
10
48
30
46
18
48
48
48
47
48
11
45
45
45
15
45
45
45
42
45
12
101
12
11
21
29
32
39
14
22
13
23
8
6
0
5
5
10
3
2
14
8
4
5
3
10
5
8
2
4
15
13
13
13
4
11
17
19
4
5
16
47
37
47
11
47
47
47
42
45
17
97
77
97
19,
97
97
97
93
82
ramp
248
112
158
51
76
85
139
47
56
Total spaces
1018
582
815
242
752
768
840
670
688
Open Spaces
436
203
776
266
250
178
348
330
Vacancy
42.8%
19.9%
76.2%
26.1%
24.6%
17.5%
34.2%
32.4%
Full
75-99% full
50-74% full
25-49% full
0-24% full
i11watt
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA
TO: Downtown Parking Commission
FROM: Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director
DATE: September 11, 2015
RE: Downtown Residential Guest Parking Passes
BACKGROUND
Currently downtown residents can purchase monthly passes to park in designated lots. The
question has arisen, can a downtown resident buy a pass for guests?
COMMENTS
For $20 a month downtown residents can buy passes to park overnight in Lots 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12,
16 and 17. Should the City allow the sale of residential guest passes that allow overnight
parking? Things to consider:
1. Would it put the parking lot system out of balance to add overnight — potentially
extended stay - guest vehicles to a lot or several lots?
2. Should the guest passes be for shorter periods than a month?
3. Should the cost for a guest overnight parking pass be the same price as a standard
residential pass?
4. If the guest passes are for less than a month, should they be a different color?
5. Passes would only need to be purchased between April and October. Overnight winter
parking is free in the lots. (Though not in the parking ramp.)
ACTION REQUESTED
City staff requests that the Parking Commission discussion the question.
bt
i11watt
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA
TO: Downtown Parking Commission
FROM: Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director
DATE: September 11, 2015
RE: Short Term Parking Issues
BACKGROUND
With the move of DQ to the Highway 36 corridor and the change of ownership at the feed store,
it may be time to consider changes to the short term parking spaces that are adjacent to these
buildings.
COMMENTS
As seen in the attached Downtown Parking Map, there are several 15 minute parking spaces on
both the north and the south sides of Chestnut just west of Main Street. These were intended for
quick trips into DQ, or retailers on the south side of Chestnut. With the DQ move out of
Downtown, should there be a reduction or redistribution of the 15 minute spaces in this block?
Also, with new owners at the feed store on Main and Nelson, there likely is a business plan
change. The former business plan served a number of hobby farm or horse owners that needed
feed or other agricultural equipment or products. Consequently, on Nelson Street along the store
there are five loading spaces, three 30 minute spaces and one 15 minute space.
Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket has noticed that the feed store employees under the new
ownership tend to park all day in these spots. Perhaps the new owner should be contacted to
determine what the real need is for short term parking in this block.
ACTION REQUESTED
City staff requests that the Parking Commission discuss the short term parking in these two
blocks and offer direction.
bt
Bill Turnblad
From: Bill Turnblad
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 11:10 AM
To: Dave Magnuson
Subject: RE: on -street parking next to Feed Store
Welcome back. Was your holiday good?
I think a conversation with the new owners is in order. Before I bring anything to the Parking Commission I need to find
out what their business plan is. If it still does traditional "feed store" business, then the number of loading spaces might
be needed.
Bill
From: Dave Magnuson [mailto:dtmagnuson@magnusonlawfirm.com]
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 9:21 AM
To: Diane Ward <dward@ci.stillwater.mn.us>; Bill Turnblad<bturnblad@ci.stillwater.mn.us>; Shawn Sanders
<ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us>
Subject: RE: on -street parking next to Feed Store
The spaces are used for loading. I see the area out my window. The farmers back in their trucks and load feed, and big
trucks use most of the area at one time for deliveries. But that doesn't mean that they can use the spaces for employee
parking. It looks to me to be two separate issues. Sorry to be two weeks late on this but I just got back from a
holiday.
Dave
From: Diane Ward [mailto:dward@ci.stillwater.mn.us]
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2015 10:31 AM
To: Bill Turnblad; Dave Magnuson; Shawn Sanders
Subject: RE: on -street parking next to Feed Store
I have found nothing on my end.
Diane F. "Ward, City Clerk
City of Stillwater
216 4th Street N
Stillwater, 34N-556182
Direct: 651-430-8802
Fax: 651-430-8809
From: Bill Turnblad
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2015 10:07 AM
To: Dave Magnuson<DTMagnuson@magnusonlawfirm.com>; Diane Ward <dward@ci.stillwater.mn.us>; Shawn Sanders
i
<ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us>
Subject: on -street parking next to Feed Store
Dave, Diane and Shawn,
With the new owners of the Feed Store, parking has become an issue. The owner/manager encourages employees to
park in the loading/unloading spaces next to the store (see attachment). Denny has been ticketing them. There is a
ruckus.
I asked Denny why there are 5 loading/unloading spaces, 3 thirty -minute spaces, and 1 fifteen -minute space
immediately next to the feed store. He said he didn't know. I imagine that at one point, when feed sales were a
substantial portion of the store's revenue, that number of loading spaces may have been ok. It no longer seems
justifiable. Is anyone aware of any signed agreements with the feed store to provide these five loading spaces?
If not, I'd like to talk with the Parking Commission about changing these 9 spaces to: 1 loading, 7 one -hour, 1 fifteen -
minute.
Thoughts?
(SO
Bill Turnblad
Community Development Director
City of Stillwater
2
15 minute parking limit
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n ru rz 19 u C3 C4 C4 m a Z R e� C3 C3 C3 C3 C3 r: q
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a) W C'') r r 41 I — GD r C+i 1 L 7 I C'L1
' 1.. i i 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
a o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T5 _ • o
J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J et
Total spaces in lots = 1,226
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4675
16,