HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2020 Public Comment - J. Rockne - Downtown Parking Benefits DistrictFrom: JRockne
To: Agenda
Subject: Public Comment on Parking Benefit Zones for Monday, January 27
Date: Monday, January 27, 2020 11:44:00 AM
Dear Mayor Mehl and Commissioners,
I am unable to present public comment in person at tonight’s Commission meeting,
therefore I am providing you with some neighborhood considerations regarding the
proposed Downtown Parking Benefits Districts may have on neighbors vis-à-vis high-
density development.
First, please know I am a proponent of no parking minimums. But within that framework,
particularly as it pertains to inserting a large density of residents into existing older
neighborhoods, concerns exist.
In my neighborhood (SCAN), parking became a major concern of neighbors regarding the
proposed and now-built Black Olive apartments. The likelihood of residents having more
than one vehicle (particularly where more than one person occupies a single unit) is high. If
a unit is allotted one parking space, where do the other vehicles park? How about their
visitors? Most likely on the street. Our neighborhood is old enough that some houses do not
have dedicated off-street parking. Equally, many residents of SCAN are elderly. We also
have an elementary school in the neighborhood near downtown, and many children walk to
their school, raising pedestrian safety issues as well. Now multiply this parking dilemma by
the number of new high-density developments around downtown.
The InterNeighborhood Council submitted recommendations for your consideration (and
the Parking Commission’s) toward informing a potential parking management area and
parking benefit districts within it. If a goal of high-density housing downtown is to provide
walkable housing for downtown workers and others who may favor alternative forms of
transportation, INC suggests you consider implementing the following:
Reasonably limit non-resident and time-limited parking opportunities,
helping ensure those who really need to park close to home can.
If a high-density residential building exists inside a Parking Benefit Zone,
the number of resident permits should be limited and given lower priority
to pre-existing residences. (If a high-density residential building is outside
of a Parking Benefit Zone, permits automatically would be limited
because only non-resident permits could be purchased).
Thank you.
Best regards,
Jennifer Rockne
SCAN resident
InterNeighborhood Council Chair