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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-21 DTPC MIN DOWNTOWN PARKING COMMISSION MEETING May 21, 2020 Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chairman Anderson, Commissioners Glynn, Hopfe, Johnson, Lettner, Lepage, McAllister, Council Liaison Junker Absent: None Staff present: Police Chief Gannaway, Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket, City Clerk Wolf APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of February 20, 2020 meeting Motion by Commissioner Hopfe, seconded by Commissioner McAllister, to approve the February 20, 2020 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Konigson parking mitigation request for 401 South Main Street Chairman Anderson reviewed the staff report. River Provisions is proposing a remodel and use change of the property at 401 South Main Street at the corner of Main Street and Nelson. Being proposed is a mix of retail use, food takeout and storage/warehousing for various sporting equipment. The northwest storefront area will serve as a retail and rental facility for various types of bikes, kayaks and paddleboards as well as custom wood furniture. The storage/dock area on the east side of the building would house the retail and rental stock for the kayaks, paddleboards and bikes. The southwest storefront area would house a To-Go Food interior counter and exterior walkup window initially serving small food items and beverages. The applicant has proposed to reserve four parking spaces on the Nelson Street side of the building. Currently, these are head-in parking spaces, but in the near future they will be converted to parallel parking as part of a Nelson Street right-of-way re-design. Staff finds that the remodeled use of the building will not increase the building’s burden on the public parking system by more than four and recommends not requiring mitigation for the 1.7 space deficit. In terms of the request to reserve four on-street parking spaces for exclusive use of the store, staff requests that the Commission consider temporarily allowing the reservation of four dedicated spots for $9 each day for each spot ($1136 per 31 day period). However, if the Parking Commission and City Council approves the reservation request, it will have to be re-addressed when the head-in parking spaces are converted to parallel parking spaces. Jennifer Noden, Seven Edges, said they are asking to reserve those four spaces because there will be kayak, bike and paddleboard rental out of the back of the building. There is no way to load and unload out of the back space without dedicated parking. Todd Konigson, River Provisions, stated the previous tenant had four dedicated spaces so they are only asking for the same as previous tenants had. They will do sales and rental so they will have large products that have to be unloaded. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket clarified there are currently two 30-minute spaces, two three-hour spaces and the spaces in front of the two docks. He is not aware of any spaces being dedicated to the building itself. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting May 21, 2020 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Konigson noted that the person who owns the adjacent property is not providing access to the building’s east dock. Without a way to have loading/unloading on the north side of the building, there is no way to function. Commissioner Glynn reminded the Commission that it voted to turn the head-in parking spaces into parallel spaces, to eliminate the dedicated loading/unloading spots and to add a pedestrian walkway. The Commission thought that any future tenants would know that this is the plan and there would not be any dedicated loading/unloading space. Councilmember Junker added that continuing the sidewalk east from Main Street will be safer for pedestrians versus walking out onto the street, as there is currently no sidewalk there. Chairman Anderson stated that historically, the Commission has not given on-street parking to any business other than for valet parking. Mr. Konigson stated he would be alright with use of the two spaces instead of the four that the previous occupant had. He would love to have a pedestrian walkway. The deteriorating stairs are a safety hazard and will be removed. They modify their door so it does not project out. Parking Enforcement Officer Pasket asked if they anticipate deliveries via semi trucks. Mr. Konigson replied delivery trucks would come occasionally in the morning and would not take up any more of the street than the regular food delivery trucks already do. Mr. Pasket voiced concern about delivery trucks protruding onto Nelson Street, interfering with vehicles turning eastbound onto Nelson from Main. Mr. Konigson replied they would back into the parking space no different than food service trucks. Commissioner McAllister commented that food trucks park everywhere downtown with no regard for traffic flow but that is not the issue being discussed. The applicant is now requesting two spaces but the staff report says four. She asked if the request has changed. Mr. Konigson responded that they just want access to the building otherwise no business can function there. Two or four is OK. There is also a fire code exit access issue that needs to be addressed. Ms. Noden added that they originally requested four spaces because in 2013 there were four dedicated loading/unloading spots. If they can get four spaces, great. Two is adequate but zero would be a death toll. Chairman Anderson reminded the applicants there is no appetite on the Commission to dedicate a space to a business. They would not be able to sign it for their business only. Councilmember Junker acknowledged the building would not be functional without loading/unloading. He suggested labeling one space as loading zone leaving five parallel spots available. Commissioner McAllister asked if only one dock would be adequate. Mr. Konigson replied yes, and they would prefer to use the easternmost dock. Commissioner McAllister asked if the applicant should change the written request for the record. Chairman Anderson noted the language about what is being approved will need to be specific and should include a requirement that it be revisited when the spaces are realigned. Commissioner McAllister pointed out this would not be a loading zone only for this business, but for any loading function in this area. Ms. Noden said they met with Building Inspector Shilts Tuesday regarding code-related modifications for the doors. The east dock door would be expanded to be able to receive large deliveries. This will go before the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission. When the parking spaces become parallel, she requests that the Commission please take into consideration there will be modifications to Downtown Parking Commission Meeting May 21, 2020 Page 3 of 6 accommodate business based on where those spots are. She would like to make sure the loading space remains in a spot where they can actually use it. Mr. Konigson added that he was not informed of the plan for parallel parking when he signed the lease. Motion by Chairman Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to not require mitigation for the 1.7 space deficit, and to designate the two spots currently in front of the east loading dock on Nelson Street to loading/unloading only from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., and to require the Downtown Parking Commission and business owners to revisit this approval once the parking converts to parallel. All in favor. Summer Tuesdays parking reservations Chairman Anderson reviewed the staff report informing the Commission that due to COVID-19, Summer Tuesdays will be held only on Tuesdays in August and the format will change to a Drive In Movie event. Participants will pre-register their cars with Summer Tuesdays and event staff will direct participants to parking spots. In place of food vendors, local restaurants will make car-side deliveries. Lots 7, 8a, 8b and 9 are requested to be reserved for the event. Lots 8a, 8b and 9 would be used by the Drive In Movie participants. During the movie, River Market customers would park in Lot 7. Summer Tuesdays is in communication with the River Valley Market regarding the proposal. Councilmember Junker stated for the record that the owner of the River Valley Market building normally buys 75 passes for his workers so they can park in the parking ramp every Wednesday during Cruisin’ on the Croix. If both Cruisin’ the Croix and Summer Tuesdays close that lot, he would have to buy passes for both nights. It is uncertain if Cruisin’ on the Croix will happen this year. Mr. Pasket said he has no concerns with the Summer Tuesdays request. Commissioner McAllister suggested that when closing lots that allow overnight residential parking, alternate lots should be designated for overnight parking. The City has a significant number of residential permit holders who have only a couple lots to choose from. Councilmember Junker said he wished there could be an alternative to closing lots for an entire day for an evening event. Chairman Anderson agreed. He suggested having a workshop on it. Cassie McLemore, event organizer, said they are aware there may still be cars in the lot after it is closed. The barricades state that the event starts at a certain time and it is OK if there are cars there during the day. River Market said they are willing to work with the event. She told them she would request to have Lot 7 for their parking in the evening. She wants to be clear it was not an absolute “yes”, it was “We will talk to the City and work it out.” Motion by Commissioner Glynn, seconded by Commissioner Lettner, to recommend that the City Council approve the request by Summer Tuesdays for the use of Lots 7, 8a, 8b and 9 on August 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the standard rate of $1.50 per space per day. Prior to Council approval, River Market should submit their consent in writing to the City. All in favor. Parking Ramp rates Chairman Anderson noted that on June 1, City staff plans to activate the AirGarage mobile payment system for the parking garage. Because rates for the parking ramp have not been revised other than minor revisions since the ramp originally opened, staff recommended looking at the rate structure at this time. City Clerk Wolf said the Council has already approved the new rates recommended by staff. This item is just an FYI. The parking ramp will be free for June per City Council action. Motion by Chairman Anderson, seconded by Commissioner McAllister, to table a recommendation for the City Council on the resolution amending resolution 2020-001 adopting 2020 fee schedule. All in favor. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting May 21, 2020 Page 4 of 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS EV charging station Chairman Anderson led discussion on installing an EV charging station. Per the staff report, an estimate of $30,000 was received for the cost of installation of one or two electric vehicle charging stations on the fourth level of the municipal parking ramp. Installing the stations on the first level would reduce the estimated cost to $7,000. Staff therefore recommends declining the fourth level location and installing them on the first level instead. Staff recommends that the Commission authorize $5-6,000 in matching funds for the station, the rest to be raised through fundraising. Councilmember Junker remarked that Kevin Tholen from Sustainable Stillwater has ideas on various spots that would work well for additional charging stations. Commissioner McAllister pointed out that originally the Commission was resistant to taking prime parking spots out of the system for the charging stations. She wants to be clear whether this involves one or two electric charging spots. Kevin Tholen, Sustainable Stillwater, commented that he has identified a few other potential locations for EV charging stations that are not currently parking spaces such as behind the Water Street Inn, the parking lot by the Co-Op, and the yellow-lined space by Lucky’s Gas station. The original proposal was for a dual head charging station which would take two spaces. The City might eventually consider having an EV charging parking lot or locating the charging stations in different areas close to popular businesses. Commissioner Glynn pointed out these spots require power. He believes the Commission is OK with a couple parking spaces being used as long as there is not a huge cost to the City. Councilmember Junker added that the City could get reimbursed from the grant. He feels that two charging stations in the first level of the parking garage is a great start and then working with Mr. Tholen to determine other locations. Chairman Anderson said he is not convinced the first floor of the ramp is good location. He does not want to take prime parking spots for these units. There are probably good reasons why the possible spaces Mr. Tholen mentioned are not parking spaces currently. Mr. Tholen offered advantages of locating the charging stations in the parking ramp: shelter from rain, easier installation, wall-mounted units could be less expensive than pedestal mount. Addressing Commissioner Glynn’s concern about the other locations, each of the other locations he mentioned were near 220 power. Chairman Anderson suggested putting this back on the agenda for next month and asking Mr. Tholen to come back with the other locations for review. Mr. Tholen said he sent the slides to Councilmember Junker and Community Development Director Turnblad but he can send the information to others as well. Wendy (no last name given) asked if businesses need to apply to the Parking Commission to install chargers in their own private parking lots. Chairman Anderson replied no they do not. Motion by Commissioner McAllister, seconded by Chairman Anderson, to review Mr. Tholen’s report about the additional three places being recommended, and also get more information about options within the ramp specifically exact location and the impact on costs, and discuss at the next meeting. All in favor. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting May 21, 2020 Page 5 of 6 Downtown Parking Study: next steps Transportation Planner Lance Bernard from HKGi led discussion of next steps in the Downtown Parking Study. He provided a draft of the study including an analysis of the City’s downtown parking system and recommendation for a series of nine strategies that would create efficiencies without major capital investments. An online questionnaire will be sent to the Commissioners to get responses to the draft plan. Chairman Anderson asked if the data was seasonally analyzed. Mr. Bernard replied that utilization counts were taken during the summer when there is high demand. He discussed which lots are under-utilized. He went on to explain how on-street parking is used. Stillwater has longer on-street time restrictions than most other communities, so the study recommends reducing those times to shift some of the users from the core to the under-utilized lots and ramp. This will be the mindset moving forward. A tool is being developed to help monitor use of parking. Better signage and wayfinding to the under-utilized lots is needed. Active enforcement is needed including after 6 p.m.. Technology can be explored to assist. Officer Pasket remarked that in addition to one full time parking enforcement employee, the City also employs one seasonal employee Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mr. Bernard continued reviewing the rest of the strategies, including looking at parking regulations, continuing to work closely with the businesses, getting better information out to the public, recognizing that employees are also users of the system, beefing up a parking permit program for employees and implementing pay parking in more of the lots. Event parking is a big challenge and may require that plan B for some events means being further away from the river. He also acknowledged that residential parking needs must be addressed. He asked for input over the next week. He will bring the final plan to the June meeting for approval and then staff will take the plan to the City Council for adoption. Commissioner McAllister remarked that before completing discussion of the parking study, it would be helpful to have Mr. Bernard discuss with the Commission ways to address in the near term how the City can be responsive to the impacts of COVID-19 and impacts on parking. UPDATES Status of Downtown Events in light of COVID-19 Police Chief Gannaway reported that all downtown events are cancelled until the end of July. The Council is currently considering how to handle smaller events like weddings. Parking system and COVID-19: Chamber Letter Chief Gannaway stated that Mr. Turnblad is not at this morning’s meeting because staff has been charged by the Council to devise alternatives for opening up downtown beyond the curbside pickups, based on a letter from the Chamber. The Council is having an emergency meeting next Wednesday to discuss and adopt strategies. Staff is creating an application form for businesses that want to open up into a parking space for outdoor business. The City is doing its best to allow expansion of business footprints within legal parameters. For example, Main Street is a state highway so the City has no say in allowing business to expand there. The Council voted to allow alcohol in the park. The policy changes are City Council decisions, not staff or Commission. There will be a map of what is allowed where. City Clerk Wolf added that the “parklets” will only be allowed until November 1 and will then be removed for the winter. The Council will review events again once the Governor issues a new order. Commissioner Glynn remarked that now is probably a good time for business owners to tell their employees they must park up the hill to make sure the prime spots are open for customers. Downtown Parking Commission Meeting May 21, 2020 Page 6 of 6 Chief Gannaway responded that the biggest problem with that is always how to enforce it. One-hour parking is a great suggestion and the Council could do that with a vote. Commissioner McAllister requested that a placeholder be put on the Commission agenda for June to review impacts of the Council’s decisions on the parking system and to review a map showing which businesses have permission to use parking spaces adjacent to their location for outdoor food/beverage service. City parking lot north of Zephyr Theater Chairman Anderson noted that the City has sent the Zephyr a notice that it would like to end the lease that transferred to them from David Paradeau; the lease requires a minimum one-year notice period before the lease can go away. The City also made a request to MnDOT for 18’, or as much as they can spare, of the excess ROW to the north of the area the Zephyr would like to expand for parking. Both of these actions have occurred so that the City can plan for the potential expansion of the parking lot to the North to accommodate up to 71 parking stalls (47 Zephyr/24 City). Commissioner Lepage disclosed that he is on the board of the Zephyr Theater, which is willing to work together with the City to maintain access to the future park and other users of the lot. Status of parking ramp transition to AirGarage No report. Election of officers City Clerk Wolf reminded the Commission that Chair and Vice Chair are usually elected in May. The Commission’s consensus was to table elections. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 11:06 a.m. All in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary Darin Anderson, Chair ATTEST: Beth Wolf, City Clerk