City Council Minutes 2014 08 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 2014 Page 6 of 15 5. Establish a framework for a Tong -term parking strategy necessary to ensure future parking demand in Downtown is accommodated in Downtown, not Old Town; and, 6. Continue to improve the walkability and bicycle friendliness of Downtown and Old Town. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 10, 2014 to review the proposed parking recommendations. The Commission unanimously supported the Downtown /OId Town Parking Committee's recommendations. The conversation was positive and focused on Louisville payment in -lieu fee; Aspen's parking permit program; parking as a primary land use in residential neighborhoods; historic home relocation; and transition of the project for the existing neighborhood to the north. One additional item not considered by the Parking Committee or the Planning Commission was the property located at 611 Pine Street. The question is whether this area should be converted to surface parking. Staff recommended against converting the property to surface parking at this time, because the other actions in the recommended plan would accommodate Downtown's immediate parking needs because: 1) The addition of 28 surface parking spaces would in excess of what is needed at this time. 2) Removing a leasable commercial space for surface parking could set a precedent negatively impact the character of Downtown and Old Town. 3) The recommended plan identified the need for a long -term parking strategy that will look at this site for a joint use opportunity. Fiscal Impact: The recommended Downtown /Old Town Parking Action Plan involves a mix of actions budgeted over multiple years of the Capital Improvement Program. The City budgeted $3,410,000 for the construction of the South Street Gateway, land acquisition for 70 parking spaces in the redevelopment district, and installation of a downtown wayfinding program. Non - Budgeted items include $1,425,000 to $1,825,000 for the Planning staff time; design, acquisition and construction and ongoing operations should range somewhere between $90,000 to $120,000 per year. PUBLIC COMMENT Janis Vogelberg, 700 Pine Street, Louisville, CO thanked Planning and Building Safety Director Russ and the Planning staff for working with the Parking Action Committee. She strongly recommended the City Council approve the Downtown / Old Town Parking Recommendation Plan and begin implementation. She explained the City, residents and businesses all worked as a team. She felt it was time for the City to be proactive. She noted the parking symbols painted on the pavement do not work and felt there should be signage. She stated there is always room for improvement. Susan Honstein, 727 Pine Street, Louisville, CO also expressed her thanks to Planning and Building Safety Director Russ and his staff. She cautioned against neighborhood