pages: PlanningBoard/2009-02-09.pdf, 4
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PlanningBoard | 2009-02-09 | 4 | questioned whether this was because it was proposed that residents pay for the program. Staff stated the results depended on the location of the residence. Public Works received a request from a resident on Santa Clara near Park Street for a residential permit-parking program. Public Works wants to make this option available to the public. Staff is proposing an increase of street parking rates, discouraging overflow into residential areas, and increasing the use of off street lots or garages. President Kohlstrand stated that the Board understands when the parking study was conducted the civic garage was not built. She stated it appears that it may have been a mistake to gather all this information without considering the garage. The garage changes the character of the area and this report states it is only 20 to 30 percent occupied during weekdays and 60 to 70 percent occupied on weekends, which may not include weekend nights. Staff responded that occupancy of streets and parking facilities is usually determined hour by hour but due to limited resources staff was unable to conduct this type of research. Staff was able to determine the total number of transactions occurring at meters. Turnover information cannot be determined without sufficient staff. President Kohlstrand stated she understands the limitations but believes the information is necessary. Staff believes the problem is that there is no clear process for staff to deal with an applicant proposing a new project. The garage may solve many parking issues on Park Street but Webster Street is a different situation. President Kohlstrand stated that parking is a dynamic situation. One approach may be to define the problem by area and then determine what the overall objective should be. She believes a public parking facility must be part of the solution to facilitate shared responsibility for providing parking. Where the City wants to maintain a certain character, for example the historic business district on Park Street, the garage provides an opportunity to be flexible regarding on site parking requirements. In the northern area of Park Street a site for a public garage should be identified. This will provide flexibility at the onset of discussions. There are similar issues on Webster regarding historic and non-historic districts. Vice President Ezzy Ashcraft no longer believes a citywide comprehensive parking plan for the business districts is the solution since there are different issues in different areas. Regarding the 25 percent weekday occupancy in the parking garage how does the City justify charging a prospective business owner fees for maintenance on the existing structure or construction of a future structure when the occupancy rate of the garage is so low. Regarding parking waivers she believes waivers should only apply to the requirement for providing automobile parking not bicycle parking. She stated that the staff report seemed to be moving away from the requirement to provide bicycle parking and she would not support that position. It does not appear that many employees are purchasing parking permits and are instead choosing to park in the Page 4 of 10 | PlanningBoard/2009-02-09.pdf |