pages: PlanningBoard/2008-12-08.pdf, 16
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PlanningBoard | 2008-12-08 | 16 | Board member Autorino agreed with President Kohlstrand that businesses of a certain size should be excluded from the parking requirement. He stated that buildings should in fact have historic significance and not just ten years old. A Board discussion ensued on whether a distinction between historic or non-historic is important, contributions to off street parking and street design, protection of continuous street façade, fee structure and establishing minimum thresholds, more criteria to apply for a fee waiver, and eliminating the minimum parking requirement. Vice President Ezzy Ashcraft referred to the staff report which states that many planners are recommending only maximum not minimum parking requirements. This is a good time for the Board to consider this option. Staff stated that during discussions with the consultant, based on supply and demand in Alameda it is a matter of management not supply. The goal is to retain parking in the Park Street district. There are residential areas in this area suffering spillover. President Kohlstrand stated there are advocates for changing parking policies nationwide. Alameda is an older city where much of the older character has been maintained. If parking is limited, alternatives must be provided. Staff stated that implementing no minimums removes contributions to the in-lieu fund, which reduces funding sources. In response to a Board inquiry staff responded that WABA is supportive of the recommendations and relaxed on site parking requirements. WABA had no comment on the minimums. President Kohlstrand suggested staff get input from PSBA on these issues as currently there is more of a parking issue in the Park Street district. Vice President Ezzy Ashcraft stated she was interested in new technology for replacing parking meters. She suggested reconfiguration of parking spaces in the parking lot on Central near the theatre. The spaces do not accommodate larger SUVs. Staff will return to the Board at a future date with information on the following: in-lieu fees and waiver program (size, threshold), parking in the Park Street area since the garage and statistics on parking in the garage, how are in-lieu fees being generated and spent, more specifics on Redwood City ordinance, information on options for establishing assessment districts (commercial parking district), information on a shared parking clearinghouse, next steps for future parking lots or structures in the North Park Street and North Webster Street areas, employee parking demand, information on the survey and how to incorporate facilities for alternative modes (car share, bicycle racks/lockers), Page 16 of 17 | PlanningBoard/2008-12-08.pdf |