City Council Agenda and Packet 1999 01 05

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that it will generate an impressive amount of tax revenues. Companies such as this have historically had a negative impact on small businesses across America. Please make a commitment and a pledge to us to use a percentage of the tax revenue generated to solve any parking problem that may arise in downtown. The Historical Downtown area is the pride of Louisville. Preserving and protecting that district should be a priority of the Council. Thank you." Davidson closed the public hearing and called for Council comments and questions. Mauer stated that there appears to be confusion on the amount of square footage required to trigger the parking impact fee. He requested that this be explicitly stated in the ordinance. He questioned whether credit would be received for an existing building if it is replaced with a new structure. Wood replied that credit would not be received for the existing building as the new building would be considered a one hundred percent new structure and subject to this ordinance. Mayer questioned the fairness of that in light of the fact that if you built an addition to an existing building, only the additional square footage is subject to the parking impact fee. However, if you replace an existing building with a new building, equal in square footage to the previous building and an addition. the entire building is now subject to the parking impact fee. He stated that credit should be given for the existing building. He agreed with earlier -comments that by paying a parking impact fee in addition to purchasing parking permits, you would be paying for the same space twice. He stated that establishing a committee to assist with the expenditure of funds would be in the City's best interest. He suggested that a private entity consider purchasing land and sell parking commitments versus the City using funds to administer a parking system. Mayer questioned the need to adopt an emergency ordinance for parking. He would prefer that Council place a moratorium on downtown development to allow for careful consideration on how to address the issues of parking and development. He stated that he is uncomfortable with the proposed ordinance but agreed that something needs to be done and it appears that if the City does not address it, no one else will. Howard questioned, what the cost would be for a patrol officer to monitor parking downtown. Bill Simmons. City Administrator, stated that at this time it appears to be between $10,000- $40.000 per year. He stated that there are also printing costs to change signs and staff costs to issue permits. Howard agreed with Mayer that credits should be given for existing buildings. He questioned whether the City provided proper notification of this ordinance. Light replied, yes. He stated that changes to Title 17 require a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Notice was given and a public hearing was held. Light explained that the 11