City Council Minutes 1999 04 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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parking and parking management. He felt that this is a big mistake that will result in fragmented parking throughout downtown. He agreed with the Planning Commission that this would result in inefficient, underutilized parking lots dotting downtown. These lots would be built by the private sector, as opposed to a public/private partnership where the City would be collecting appropriate fees and building parking that could be used by everyone in a more efficient manner. He expressed support for the Planning Commission's recommendation that the City resume the leadership role, gets back into the parking business - where they belong, and helps the business people solve the parking problem. He requested that some of the items that were stricken from the first reading be put back into the Ordinance, or at least discussed more before any action is taken. Arlin Lehman, 908 Main Street, Louisville, agreed with Hartronfi. He commended Council for moving forward with this Ordinance. He stated that he would like to see the Ordinance contain some allowance for a basement that is built specifically for storage. He expressed support for the Planning Commission's recommendation that the City resume the leadership role. He felt that the parking required for build out would result in large sections of asphalt. He asked to clarify that when he requests that the City take a leadership role, he is not suggesting that the City do so with taxpayer's dollars. He stated that the City should take the dollars that he would have to spend to provide his own parking, and pool it with dollars from other businesses to provide more efficient, attractive parking. Cheri Ruskus, 801 Main Street, Suite 125, Louisville, stated that she does not feel this resolves the parking problem but rather makes it more difficult to do business in downtown Louisville. She explained that several of the 'mom & pop' businesses downtown are confused as to exactly what this means. She stated that she recently visited Crested Butte, Colorado, and was shocked at the number of businesses for sale. The businesses there explained that, with one bad season, the cost of doing business is so high that they cannot afford to be in business any longer. She stated that, while she understands the need for regulations downtown, she does not feel this is resolving the problem but rather creating different ones. Davidson closed the public hearing and called for Council comments and questions. Davidson stated prior to this, the City of Louisville taxpayers provided parking for downtown businesses. Owner-occupied businesses in the Colorado Tech Center provided their own parking. He felt that Council is basically 'leveling the field' and not subsidizing one group of businesses with the taxes from another group of businesses. He did not believe that the Ordinance contained anything prohibiting the City from taking a leadership role. He explained that he and Bill Simmons met with Arlin Lehman and Erik Hartronft last week to discuss some options for providing parking in a more centralized location. He stated that this simply states that, from now on, businesses have to pay for their share of the parking. The taxpayers and other businesses that provide their own parking will not be providing parking for the downtown businesses anymore. There is still a substantial subsidy to businesses downtown in the way of parking, as none of the parking is to be removed. 12