Loading...
04-08-86 Parking Comm MinutesApril 8, 1986 PARKING COMMISSION 2:00 P.M. Commission Members Gordon Pirrie, Colin Wills, Ed Myers (and later Harry Farrington), Councilman Palmer, Chief Stefanic, Building Official Jackson, Ross Plambeck, Ed Gallagher, Clerk Halvor, Gary Simmons of the Lighterside Restaurant, Mike Fuller, Nick Herron of the Chamber, and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Inter Lake in attendance. GRANMO BUILDING SALE/LIGHTERSIDE RESTAURANT - Gordon Pirrie explained that Gary Simmons was purchasing the former Gift and China Shop and planned to move The Lighterside to that location. He read a letter from Mr. Simmons requesting that the Parking Commission grant him the additional 20 parking spaces needed to meet the ordinance and listing his reasons why the request should be granted (letter is attached). There was extended discussion that included the following comments, ideas, frustrations, and suggestions: -Payment in lieu of parking spread over a period of years. -Where would the Commission get 20 spaces? And if they did how would it affect future dealings. -Explanation of where payment in lieu of originated: "The Ordinance". One million dollars was set aside by EDA. An SID was to be created but was set aside because it was felt the area was too large. Payment in lieu of was a part of the SID and payments were to be made back into the fund. Payment in lieu of has never been used. -Discussion of need for better requirements and procedure. -Question as to how a business moving only 150 feet can be required to • add an additional 23 parking spaces. -Colin Wills went on record as saying we need to get rid of the ordinance because it is tying up businesses, is discriminatory and is a business suppressant. -In response to the question Where is the parking going to come from: Employers, employees, faculty and students must be made to park away from the downtown, which would leave plenty of parking for customers. -Suggestion of a parking maintenance district where each new business having a deficiency of parking would be required to sign a "waiver of protest for a parking SID". This could create long term financing divided between those having a deficiency. This could be recorded against the property. Different uses would change needs. -Building Official Jackson explained how the Lighterside was grandfathered in at it's original location. -Ordinance calls for 1 parking space per 100 square feet of space. -Question of whether it mattered where the money came from to pay for the parking spaces (since there is $500,000 from Tax Increment now available for parking) - as long as parking is provided. -Suggestion that strategically placed lots on 2nd and 3rd Avenues would provide parking and then payment in lieu of could be abandoned. -Gary Simmons pointed out that his building permit was waiting on this decision. He said common sense says that he is being asked to pay for something that does not exist, and he ruefully added that he • could understand why the downtown was failing. -Discussion of double standard problem: grant this and then the next one will expect the same treatment. -Businesses requiring a large amount of parking would be fools to occupy a building without adequate parking in the first place - why is ordinance needed at all? PARKING COMMISSION April 8, 1986 Page 2 -972 space deficiencies on Main Street from Center south to ? -Suggestion that building permit be issued with a statement that parking needs will be monitored and reviewed every six months because upstairs will be used mostly for evening banquet needs. Why couldn't a credit be given as in other cases downtown? -Repealing the ordinance would put the City back to the same problem that initiated the ordinance: not enough parking driving tenants away from downtown. -Attorney Neier said that legally the City could repeal the ordinance but it would not be practical. Under ordinance you can obtain needed parking two ways: provide it or make payment in lieu of,. -Question again: How to change the ordinance in such a way as to entice businesses downtown? -Suggestions: Reasonable amount for cash in lieu of parking, Use tax increment, cash in lieu of, and assessments as necessary to provide needed parking, Make a top limit on the number of spaces needed (ad hoc basis could lead to charges of being arbitrary), - Approval by Commission and Council of an all -encompassing formula for payment in lieu of. -Observation that formula would need to address the differences between downtown and three blocks away. -Suggestion that no one be assessed until the $500,000 of tax increment .; money is spent or three years is up (time alloted to spend it). Attorney Neier said that would not stand up. -One way to provide parking without buying it: perpetual easement on someone else's land for parking. More than one business could go together. (Mexican restaurant on 2nd cited as poor example) -Suggestion to lease spaces in the Methodist Church lot to the Lighterside reasonably. Attorney Neier said that was not as good as an easement. -Discussion of difference between existing buildings and new structures and the need to be as liberal and economically feasible with existing structures while having new construction provided payment in lieu of (and funds be then spent on parking, not general budget of City). -Time frame for Lighterside: May 1 opening. Must be out of present site April 15 or pay triple rent. Does not want to be closed more than two weeks. -Suggestion that Gary Simmons go to Board of Adjustments and ask for a variance on the reasoning that 23 additional spaces is out of line. This might lower the number of spaces needed and appears to be the only remedy available at this date. -Suggestion of two steps: Payment in lieu of based upon the formula $12/month x 12 months x 5 years =$720 per space spread over a 5 year period. This would be an immediate step to get the building permit issued. And step two: Change ordinance with full intention of changing it to a better policy. -Observation that if City Council wouldn't change the ordinance Simmons would then be stuck with $276/month for parking. PARKING COMMISSION April 8, 1986 - Page 3 After the above discussion the Commission agreed upon the following motion made by Gordon Pirrie and seconded by Ed Myers: The Parking Commission recommends to the City Council that a building permit be issued to Gary Simmons of The Lighterside. Gary Simmons will agree to meet the parking requirements within one year of the issuance of the building permit and will pursue obtaining a variance from the Board of Adjustments. In any event the payment in lieu of parking is not to exceed $12/month x 12 months x 5 years or $720 per space needed spread over a 5 year period at no interest. , The point was made again at the end of the discussion that the problem with lack of downtown parking was not customers but employers and employees parking in spaces that should be available for customers. There were suggestions that enforcement (meter maid) needed to be tougher and that education should come through the wallet. Colin Wills offered to hand deliver a letter from Chief Stefanic which should state that if employers and employees didn't conform fines would be levied. Harry Farrington would write letter. Ed Myers pointed out they needed to be given an option and suggested leasing Griffin Park, making it available to the College with a by month charge and then restricting parking around Linderman School area to force the parking into Griffin. O'Niel Lumber site was discussed briefly. LORGE AND HARMON LOTS - Jack Heller from Wachholz and Company has said they have a buy/sell on these lots and would like a counter proposal from the Parking Commission. Prices on the lots are $45,000 for Lorge's and $25,000 for Harmon's, as is. After discussion the Commission felt that a letter should be written saying they were still studying the situation and were not ready to make an offer at this time. The Public Works Secretary was asked to respond to Mr. Heller. FIRST FEDERAL LOT - This lot has been appraised by Jacobson at $127,500. It would provide 46 spaces. The Commission agreed to make a tentative offer of the appraised value based upon further study of the overall parking needs. The Public Works Secretary was asked to respond to Chuck Mercord at First Federal. ajg W • Nancy McCabe 2/10/86 Gary Simmons DSA/Lighterside Restaurant 15-3rd Street East Kalispell, MT. 59901 Parking Commission c/o Gordon Perry 48 Main Street Kalispell, MT. 59901 Dear Sir: I'm writting in regards to our tentitive plans to purchase the Gift and China building for our current operation. With the move to that building the change of use requires us to have a total of 40 parking spaces. The building currently has 20 spaces grandfathered in. For this purpose we are requesting that the commision grant us the additional 20 so that we may meet this ordinance. Following are a few reasons why this request should be granted. 1) For the past 3 years.we have served the "uptown" businesses. We would like to stay in this area, but need more seating and banquet space. 2) We will be purchasing and rehabilitating a vacant building. 3) With exspansion we will increase employment. 4) In addition to street parking there are public metered lots across the street, which is never full, one across the alley to the south, and one half a block to the northwest. 5) Experience in the last 3yrs. has shown that the majority of our business comes from local "uptown" merchants within walking distance. 6) We will have two private parking spots which we do not have now for managers. Considering the "uptown" area's current parking problems and the fact that we already exeist with it, I see no reason why we shouldn't be allowed to continue our plans for the move. We appreciate your time and considertion in this matter. Sincer� Gary . ns