City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2017 05 09

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SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN PARKING IMPROVEMENT FEE DATE: MAY 9, 2017 PAGE 2 OF 7 The initial Parking Improvement Fee in 2000 was $10,000 per space. Council reduced that amount to $3,600 per space in 2002 through Ordinance 1376. Ordinance 1594 in 2011 allowed Council to adjust the Parking Improvement Fee by resolution. The Fee has remained at $3,600 per space since 2002. The Parking Improvement Fee payment, if allowed through a PUD approval, is due and payable when the building permit is issued for the project. The fee amount is equal to the number of parking spaces required for the project but not supplied, multiplied by current rate per space when the permit is released. Recent City Investments In Parking The City has made several parking investments in downtown recently. They include: Constructing 28 new spaces on City property at the corner of Front and Elm Streets by expanding the parking lot adjacent to Lucky Pie and Sweet Cow Acquiring 0.638 acres in the DELO redevelopment from Tebo Properties and contracting to construct approximately 70 parking spaces on that property as part of the DELO development. This new lot will be available this summer, once the South Street Gateway pedestrian underpass is complete. Acquiring from the Blue Parrot their excess parking lot on the south side of that property, making an additional 25 spaces available for public parking. DISCUSSION: Analysis Approach Staff's approach to determine an amount for the Parking Improvement Fee was to first determine the cost to supply and maintain a new parking space in downtown. Second, list the community benefits of having a Parking Improvement Fee that Council may want to consider as justification for setting the Fee at an amount that is less than the cost to construct and maintain a parking space. Third, to consider the advantages and disadvantages to the property owner of paying a Parking Improvement Fee instead of constructing parking spaces that are controlled by the property owner. And finally, to consider the various approaches that other communities have taken on this matter. Each of these elements of the analysis is summarized below: Cost of providing additional parking A parking space requires land to accommodate the parking space, as well as land for the access aisle, and entrance and exit point for the parking lot. An efficient parking lot configuration has a 24 foot drive aisle with head -in parking spaces 9 feet wide and 18 feet long. These are the dimensions used in the public parking lot adjacent to the Lucky Pie/Sweet Cow building at 637 Front Street. Extra land is needed beyond the parking function to accommodate entering and exiting the parking lot and to satisfy landscaping and buffers to neighboring properties (approximately 20% add-on). The breakdown of square feet by use are as follows: COUNCIL COMMUNICATION