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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParking Resolution PC2010-01, Creating a Policy for Loss of Public ParkingBOZEMAN PARKING COMMISSION RESOLUTION PC2010-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOZEMAN PARKING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, CREATING A POLICY FOR LOSS OF PUBLIC PARKING. WHEREAS, pursuant to city Resolution 3803, the Bozeman Parking Commission has jurisdiction over three parking districts: the downtown B-3 Zoning District, the Montana State University Residential Parking District, and the Bozeman High School Residential Parking District; and WHEREAS, Sect. 7-14-4622(7), MCA, authorizes the Bozeman Parking Commission, having been vested the authority by the Bozeman City Commission, to "regulate on-street parking when it remains in use, in coordination with off-street parking, subject to traffic regulations imposed by the state;" and WHEREAS, Sect. 7-14-4628, MCA, authorizes the Bozeman Parking Commission to issue regulations for on-street parking related to the determination of parking locations, variable parking durations, variable parking rate schedules, and enforcement policies and procedures; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Parking Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, creates this policy for loss of public parking. The Bozeman Parking Commission supports downtown development projects that bring vitality and energy to its parking districts. The Parking Commission supports projects that are consistent with the guidelines of the Downtown Improvement Plan and constitute a significant economic benefit for the downtown area. Such projects must not significantly diminish the parking capacity, negatively impact the Parking Commission budget, or compromise public safety. The Bozeman Parking Commission operates Bridger Park Downtown and four surface lots, all of which offer available sources of parking within the downtown core. The availability of public parking enables the Parking Commission to consider innovative and exciting new projects, including ones that require a conversion of public parking spaces to some other use, specifically if the project is within close proximity to a parking facility. It is widely accepted that people are willing to park at least 200 feet from their destination. As a result, if a downtown project within a certain distance of the Bridger Park .Downtown or public lot calls for the elimination of public parking spaces, the Parking Commission may not view it as detrimental to its total inventory. The Parking Commission would consider supporting a private project that calls for the elimination of public parking spaces in the downtown district under the following conditions: The lost spaces are in the B3 Core which extends from Rouse Avenue to Grand Avenue between the alleys a half block north and south of Main Street. The lost spaces are within 200 feet of an entrance to a public parking facility (Bridger Park downtown or one of the four surface lots). The availability of a public parking facility nearby will reduce the impact on surrounding businesses in the area of the lost spaces. This criterion will allow for losses of parking outside the B3 Core but still in close proximity to a public parking facility. o The Parking Commission recommends minimum compensation to the Parking Commission for the lost spaces either in an upfront, one-time payment of $5,000 per space or by a lease of $50 per space per month for 10 years, which equates to $6,000 per space. In seeking this compensation, the Parking Commission acknowledges: 1) the cost to construct structured parking is in excess of $20,000 per space; 2) the cost to construct surface parking can cost as much as $10,000 per space; and 3) the value of a downtown parking space in terms of retail sales is estimated to be between $40,000 and $70,000 annually. At the same time the Parking Commission acknowledges that the conversion or loss of public parking for economic development yields inherent value to the downtown district. The Parking Commission acknowledges that a project that eliminates on-street parking may yield greater public good and that charging market replacement costs would be a financial disincentive to property owners and the development comrnunity. The Parking Commission will limit the number of lost parking spaces in the defined area to ten. The Parking Commission recommends that a cap be set of ten lost spaces within the defined area. The Parking Commission further recommends that this limit of ten lost spaces be maintained until a parking study can be conducted to determine downtown's inventory and usage patterns. Due to a finite amount of on-street parking in the B3 Core, the Parking Commission must ensure its inventory is not negatively compromised, These are the recommendations of the Bozeman Parking Commission as the advisory board charged with managing the downtown parking district. The Parking Commission recognizes that the City Commission will make the final determination regarding the loss of public parking spaces and the criteria allowing any such loss and the financial requirements of any such loss. PASSED and adopted by the Parking Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, on first reading at a session held on the tenth day of March, 2010. ATTEST: PAUL BURNS, City of Bozeman Parking Manager Pam Bryan, Chair