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04-01-08 Item 4South Miami All- America Ch CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI 11111.1 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER INTER - OFFICE MEMORANDUM 2001 To: The Honorable Mayor Feliu and Members of the City Commission Via: Ajibola Balogun, Interim City Manager From: Sanford A. Youkilis, Acting Planning Director Date: March 18, 2008 ITEM No. Subject: AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING SOUTH MIAMI LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 20 -4.4 (A) ENTITLED "OFF- STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS" IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING FOR ADJACENT ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE COUNTED AS REQUIRED PARKING; MODIFYING THE CONDITIONS ALLOWING FOR ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE CREDITED TO OTHER NEARBY PROPERTIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL FEE TO BE ASSESSED FOR COUNTING ON- STREET SPACES AS REQUIRED SPACES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Background The City Commission at past meetings has expressed concern about parking regulations which allow on street parking spaces to be counted toward meeting required parking spaces for new buildings and for new uses. The Planning Department and the City Attorney have also been concerned as how adjacent on- street parking spaces are assigned as required spaces and the fact that these spaces are essentially given away without charge to abutting property owners. In addition, there have been other discussions concerning another provision in this same section which allows the City Manager to assign on- street parking spaces to meet required parking for private businesses as long as the spaces are within 1,500 feet of the business. Staff observations (1) LDC Section 20 -4.4 (A)(]) allows property owners to count adjacent on- street parking spaces as part of their required parking. This can alleviate a property owner from providing some or all of the required off - street parking. Currently, these spaces are provided to property owners at no cost and provide an economic disincentive for property owners to design structures that meet the parking requirements without the on- street parking credit. (2) LDC Section 20- 4.4(A) (2) allows, with the written consent of the City Manager, for unassigned on- street parking spaces within 1,500 feet of a property to be assigned and credited for purposes of meeting off - street parking requirements of that property. This section also requires approval of the property owner who is abutting an on- street space to allow the City to credit the space to another use or building. This essentially makes that property owner the owner of on- street spaces. The authority to assign these type of spaces has been rarely implemented. It should be limited to special situations and to areas outside the downtown. In addition, the property owner receiving the benefit of these spaces should pay an annual fee. (3) In order to create an incentive for future projects and associated uses to more efficiently address required off - street parking, the City should implement a policy that on- street parking credits will no longer be provided free of charge and individuals or entities wishing to utilize on- street spaces to satisfy off - street parking requirements should be charged an annual fee. It is recommended that an annual fee of $1,000 per qualifying on- street space be adopted. Specific Amendment Attached is a draft ordinance which amends Section 20 -4.4 (A) of the Land Development Code in accord with the staff observations set forth above. (new wording underlined, wording to be removed shown with strikethrough) Parkine Board Recommendation The City's Parking Board was given the opportunity to comment upon the proposed amendment which was done at the Board's January 11, 2008 meeting. The Parking Board offered several comments related to the double counting of spaces and the amount of the fee proposed. Attached is a summary of the Board's comments and the Parking Board's minutes for their January 11, 2008 meeting. The Planning Board at its January 15 meeting incorporated into the draft ordinance all of their comments suggested by the Parking Board. Planning Board Action The Planning Board at its January 15, 2008 meeting adopted a motion by a vote of 6 ayes 0 nays recommending approval of the proposed amendment. Recommendation It is recommended that the proposed draft ordinance modifying the two off -site parking sections be approved.. Backup Documentation: Draft Ordinance Planning Department Staff Report, 1 -15 -08 Excerpt Planning Board Minutes 1 -15 -08 Summary Memo on Parking Board recommendations Parking Board Minutes ] -11 -08 Public notices SAY XAComm Items\2008 \3- 18- 08 \PB -08 -004 LDC Amend Off -Site CM Report.doc 2 ORDINANCE NO. 3 4 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF 5 SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING SOUTH MIAMI LAND DEVELOPMENT 6 CODE SECTION 20 -4.4 (A) ENTITLED "OFF- STREET PARKING 7 REQUIREMENTS" IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING FOR 8 ADJACENT ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE COUNTED AS REQUIRED 9 PARKING; MODIFYING THE CONDITIONS ALLOWING FOR ON- STREET 10 PARKING SPACES TO BE CREDITED TO OTHER NEARBY PROPERTIES; AND 11 PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL FEE TO BE ASSESSED FOR COUNTING ON- 12 STREET SPACES AS REQUIRED SPACES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, 13 ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 14 15 WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami 16 desire to amend the City's land development code, section 20 -4.4 (A), relating to off - 17 street parking requirements; and, 18 19 WHEREAS, Section 20- 4.4(A) of the South Miami Land Development Code 20 allows for on- street parking spaces adjacent to a lot to be counted for purposes of. 21 meeting off - street parking requirements; and, 22 23 WHEREAS, Section 20- 4.4(A) (2) of the South Miami Land Development 24 Code allows, provided written consent and approval of the City manager is received, 25 for unassigned on- street parking spaces within 1,500 feet of a property to assigned 26 and credited for purposes of meeting off - street parking requirements; and, 27 28 WHEREAS, the on- street credits to property owners are currently provided 29 to property owners at no cost and provides an economic disincentive for property 30 owners to design structures that meet the parking requirements without the on -street 31 parking credit; and, 32 33 WHEREAS, the on- street parking credit as it is currently configured does 34 not account for the impacts of development and changes in uses on the City's 35 parking supply; and, 36 37 WHEREAS, in order to create an incentive for future projects and associated 38 uses to more efficiently address required off - street parking, the City has determined 39 that on- street parking credits will no longer be provided free of charge and 40 individuals or entities wishing to utilize on- street spaces to satisfy off - street parking 41 requirements will be charged an annual fee per qualifying on- street space; and 42 43 WHEREAS, the Planning Board at its January 15, 2008 meeting, after public 44 hearing, adopted a motion by a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays recommending that the 45 proposed ordinance be approved. 46 47 48 2 (2) 3 4 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY 5 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA: 6 7 SECTION 1. That Section 20 -4.4 (A) entitled "Off- Street parking 8 requirements" the Land Development Code shall be amended to read as follows: 9 10 20 -4.4 Off - street parking requirements. 11 12 (A) Applicability. All structures and uses which are erected, established or 13 enlarged within the City shall provide adequate off - street parking spaces and control 14 mechanisms for on -site vehicular and pedestrian traffic in order to insure the safety 15 and convenience of the public pursuant to the requirements of this section. 16 17 (1) On -street parking spaces not currently assigned or credited to other 18 properties adiacent to a lot may count toward the parking requirements for a 19 building set forth below in subsection (B) for that lot, provided that the 20 property owner complies with subsection 20 -4.4 (A)(4); a partial space 21 longer than eleven (11) feet shall count as a full space. 22 23 (2) Unimproved rights -of -way adjacent to business property in commercial 24 zoning districts may be improved by the abutting property owner for credit as 25 on- street parking spaces by written agreement approved by the appheation *� 26 the City Manager provided that the property owner complies with 27 subsection 20- 4.4(A)(4). The City Manager upon the advice of the Parking 28 Board, will determine if the installation of parking meters is warranted and 29 appropriate for the area. 30 31 32 (3) On -street parking spaces not currently assigned or credited to other 33 properties and located outside the boundaries of the SR- (HD -OV) Zoning 34 District may b° assigned and credited towards off = street - parking for d ethe 35 properties within 1,500 feet by written 36 agreement approved by the City Manager. ea-B-siffl-44 of tho MW 37 38 39 b 40 41 (4) An annual fee of $1,000, per space, which shall increase 5% 42 annually, shall be paid to the City for all on- street parking spaces which are 43 credited or counted toward required parking for new structures, or a 44 change in use that increases the minimum number of off - street spaces 45 required after the date of January 2, 2008. 46 47 P) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 (3) SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION 3. If any section, clause, sentence, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be effective immediately after the adoption hereof. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2008 ATTEST: CITY CLERK READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM: Luis R. Figueredo, Nagin Gallop & Figueredo, P.A. Office of City Attorney APPROVED: MAYOR Commission Vote: Mayor Feliu Vice Mayor Beasley: Commissioner Wiscombe: Commissioner Palmer: Commissioner Beckman: X: \Comm Items\2008\2- 19- 08\PB -08 -004 LDC Amend Off site Parking Ord.doc 3 To: Honorable Chair and Planning Board Members From: Julian Pe ]������ Planning etor Date: January 15, 2008 Re: LDC Amendment Off-Street Parking 20 -4.4 (A)(2) PB -08 -004 Applicant: City of South Miami AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING SOUTH MIAMI LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 20 -4.4 (A) ENTITLED "OFF- STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS" IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING FOR ADJACENT ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE COUNTED AS REQUIRED PARKING; MODIFYING THE CONDITIONS ALLOWING FOR ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE CREDITED TO OTHER NEARBY PROPERTIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL FEE TO BE ASSESSED FOR COUNTING ON- STREET SPACES AS REQUIRED SPACES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BACKGROUND The City Commission at past meetings has expressed concern about parking regulations which allow on street parking spaces to be counted toward meeting required parking spaces for new buildings and for new uses. The Planning Department and the City Attorney have also been concerned as how adjacent on- street parking spaces are assigned as required spaces and the fact that these spaces are essentially given away without charge to abutting property owners. In addition, there have been other discussions concerning another provision in this same section which allows the City Manager ter assign on -street parking spaces to meet required- parking for private businesses as long as the spaces are within 1,500 feet of the business. CURRENT REGULATIONS The 1993 Hometown District Overlay Ordinance allowed property owners in the downtown to use abutting on -street parking spaces to be counted as part of the required parking space total. The 1996 ordinance extended that privilege to any property in commercial zoning districts through -out the City. In addition, the same ordinance also expanded the privilege of counting on -street spaces that are located within 1500 feet of a business. The approval of the assignment of the space(s) requires the written consent and approval of the City Manager. 20 -4.4 Off-street parking requirements. . (A) Applicability. All structures and uses which are erected, established or enlarged within the city shall provide adequate off - street parking spaces and control mechanisms for on -site vehicular and pedestrian traffic in order to insure the safety and convenience of the public pursuant to the requirements of this section. (1) On- street parking spaces adjacent to a lot shall count toward the parking requirements set forth below in subsection (B) for that lot; a partial space longer than eleven (11) feet shall count as a full space. LDC Amendment January 15, 2008 Page 2 of 3 (2) Unimproved rights -of -way adjacent to business property in commercial zoning districts may be improved by the abutting property owner for credit as on- street parking spaces by written application to the City Manager. On- street parking spaces may be assigned and credited to other properties within 1,500 feet of any on- street parking space by written consent of the property owner to whose property the space is currently credited with the written consent and approval of the City Manager. The City Manager will determine if the installation of parking meters is merited and appropriate for the area STAFF OBSERVATIONS (1) The above existing Section 20 -4.4 (A)(1) allows property owners to count adjacent on- street parking spaces as part of their required parking. This can alleviate a property owner from providing some or all of the required off -street parking. Currently, these spaces are provided to property owners at no cost and provide an economic disincentive for property owners to design structures that meet the parking requirements without the on -street parking credit. (2) The above Section 20- 4.4(A) (2) allows, provided written consent and approval of the City Manager is received, for unassigned on -street parking spaces within 1,500 feet of a property to be assigned and credited for purposes of meeting off -street parking requirements of that property. This section also requires approval of the property owner who is abutting an on -street space to allow the City to credit the space to another use or building. This essentially makes that property owner the owner of the on -street space. The authority to assign these type of spaces has been rarely implemented. It should be limited to special situations and to areas outside the downtown. In addition, the property owner receiving the benefit of these spaces should pay an annual fee. (3) Both on -street parking credit programs as currently configured does not account for the impacts of development and changes in uses on the City's parking supply. (44) In order to create an incentive for future projects and associated uses to more efficiently address required off -street parking, the City should implement a policy that on -street parking credits will no longer be provided free of charge and individuals or entities wishing to utilize on -street spaces to satisfy off -street parking requirements should be charged an annual fee. It is recommended that an annual fee of $1,000 per qualifying on -street space be adopted. LDC PROPOSED AMENDMENT Attached is a draft ordinance which amends Section 20 -4.4 (A) of the Land Development Code in accord with the staff observations set forth above. (new wording underlined, wording to be removed shown with strikethrough) PARKING BOARD RECOMMENDATION The Parking Board at its January 11, 2008 meeting will be reviewing the draft legislation and will provide a recommendation on the matter. RECOM HNDATION It is recommended that the proposed technical amendment to Section 20- 4.4(A) of the Land Development Code be approved. Attachments: Draft ordinance; Public Notices JP /SAY X:\PB\PB Agendas StaffReports\2008 Agendas Staff Reports \1- 15- 081PB -08 -004 LDC Amend Off -Site Parking Report.doc ou �� CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI PLANNING BOARD Regular Meeting Action Summary Minutes, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 City Commission Chambers 7:30 P.M. EXCERPT I. Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Action: The meeting was called to order at 7:39 P.M. Action: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. II. Roll Call. Action: Chairman Morton requested a roll call. Board members present constituting a quorum: Ms. Beckman, Ms. Young, Ms. Yates, Mr. Davis and Ms. Chael. Absent: Mr. Farfan City staff present: Luis Figueredo (City Attorney), Sanford A. Youkilis (Planning Consultant), and Lluvia Resendiz (Administrative Assistant) Absent: Julian H. Perez (Planning Director). IV. Planning Board Applications I Public Hearing PB -08 -004 Applicant: City of South Miami AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING SOUTH MIAMI LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 20 -4.4 (A) ENTITLED "OFF- STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS" IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING FOR ADJACENT ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE COUNTED AS REQUIRED PARKING; MODIFYING THE CONDITIONS ALLOWING FOR ON- STREET PARKING SPACES TO BE CREDITED TO OTHER NEARBY PROPERTIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL FEE TO BE ASSESSED FOR COUNTING ON- STREET SPACES AS REQUIRED SPACES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Action: Mr. Morton read the item into the record. Planning Board Meeting January 15, 2008 Excerpt Page 2 of 4 Mr. Youkilis advised that the proposed ordinance clarifies a procedure that has been in effect where the City Manager is allowed to assign parking up to 1,500 feet away from the property. This ordinance is clarification of the provision that on- street spaces located outside the boundaries of the downtown district could be counted as off - street parking as far away as 1,500 feet provided it is approved as the written agreement by the City Manager. The ordinance removes the regulation that only the property owner can count spaces in front of the property not allowing the parking spaces to be assigned to another use. Another change in the ordinance is the concept of allowing on- street spaces to be counted toward the parking requirement adjacent to the property free of charge. After observation it was determined that to avoid providing business with free parking an annual fee of one thousand dollars per space shall be paid to the City for using City property. This item was reviewed by the Parking Board at its January 11, 2008 meeting where several recommendations were made. Mr. Youkilis provided the Board with the Parking Board's recommendation. Staff recommended approval of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Figueredo advised that the prospeed fee creates an incentive for a developer to develop their parking responsibly. A developer will not pay one thousand dollars per year when at the end of the life span of the building he will end up paying fifty thousand dollars a year for that space versus the thirty thousand dollars it cost to build a parking space. A developer would want to build a parking space where he would house all of his parking on- site and not rely on City streets for parking. Through this ordinance the property owner does not have exclusive right of the parking space. This applies to all new developments as well as business changing their use. Ms. Chael suggested that the valet parking could be an answer as opposed to satisfying parking on -site. Mr. Youkilis advised that the regulation is City wide and could be applied anywhere. Mr. Davis stated he feels that a space may be double counted. Mr. Youkilis advised that before the City Manager assigns a space staff looks at the specific space and ensures the parking space is not assigned or is not in use as required parking for the adjacent building. Mr. Youkilis replied that even if the space in front is unimproved and it has the potential of applying the one thousand dollar fee. Ms. Beckman recommended that the Parking Board's recommendations should be included to initiate a system where double counting may be avoided. She did not find it necessary to give the City Manager authority to assign parking spaces without documentation that the space is available. Ms. Chael recommended having valet parking as another incentive for residents to visit the downtown district. Mr. Youkilis advised that the current valet parking regulation is in the Land Development Code parking chapter where 50% of the parking requirement can be met by valet if approved by a 4/5 vote by the City Commission. Chairman Morton opened the public hearing. Planning Board Meeting January 15, 2008 Excerpt Page 3 of 4 Speakers: NAME ADDRESS SUPPORT /OPPOSE Sharon McCain 7502 SW 58 Avenue Support Ms. McCain stated that if this ordinance passes the funding should be done right. She felt that one thousand dollars was not enough. She added that it was lost revenue to the City and recommended increasing the fee. She also recommended establishing a matrix in order to keep tack of the parking spaces which are assigned to avoid double counting. Chairman Morton closed the public hearing. Ms. Beckman questioned if the Valencia Building would have to purchase the parking spaces when considering they changed from rental to condo. Mr. Youkilis advised that if the building were to be built now they would have to buy the spaces but this new regulation cannot be retroactive. With regards to the change of use, Mr. Figueredo replied that it was not a change in use. He further added that a change in use which creates a greater density and additional spaces then the change would trigger the required fee. Mr. Morton expressed his concern with item number two indicating it refers to unimproved right -of -way. Mr. Youkilis responded that there are areas not improved which could be counted if the City Manager approves it however the utilization of those unimproved areas would require the payment of the fee. Mr. Figueredo added that the City could place meters in an unimproved area even if the owner has parking bonus. If the unimproved right -of -way is improved a meter may be installed and the fee may apply depending on the discretion of the City Manager. Mr. Davis questioned if Commerce Lane could be considered an unimproved area. How do you justify parking near a body shop which parks client cars on the street. Mr. Youkilis advised that it has the potential of being counted as on- street parking spaces where the fee will be applicable. Motion: Ms. Beckman moved to approve the item with the following recommendations: 1. "On- street parking spaces [(add) "not currently assigned or credited to other properties "] and adjacent to a lot may count toward the parking requirements [(add) "for a building ")] as set for the below in subsection (B) for that lot, provided that the property owner complies with subsection 20 -4.4 (A)(4); and a partial space longer than eleven (11) feet shall count as full space. 2. Unimproved rights -of -way adjacent to business property in commercial zoning districts may be improved by the abutting property owner for credit as on- street parking spaces by written agreement approved by the City Manager, provided that the property owner complies with subsection 20- 4.4(a)(4). The City Manager [(add) "upon advice of the Parking Board "] will determine if the installation of parking meters is warranted and appropriate for the area. 3. On- street parking spaces [(add) "not currently assigned or credited to other properties and "] located outside the boundaries of the SR- (HDOV) Zoning District Planning Board Meeting January 15, 2008 Excerpt Page 4 of 4 may be assigned and credited towards off - street parking for properties within 1,500 feet by written agreement approved by the City Manager. 4. An annual fee of $1,000, per space, [(add) "which shall be increased by 5% annually "] shall be paid to the City for all on- street parking spaces which are credited or counted toward required parking for new structures, or a change in use that increases the minimum number of off - street spaces required after the date of January 2, 2008. Mr. Davis seconded Vote: 6 Ayes 0 Nays To: Honorable Chair and Planning Board Members ]From: Julian Pere Planning D' eetor Date: January 15, 2008 Re: Parking Board Comments on LDC Amendment Off - Street Parking PARKING BOARD COMMENTS The Parking Board at its January 11, 2008 meeting reviewed the proposed draft ordinance modifying Section 20- 4.4(A), Land Development Code. At the meeting, the Board adopted three suggestions which they wished to pass on to the Planning Board concerning the ordinance: (1) The ordinance should contain wording that makes sure that assigned off - street spaces are not double counted. (2) The proposed annual fee of $1000 per space should be increased. (3) The Parking Board should be part of the decision making process to determine who can use assigned spaces. The Board did not adopt an overall motion recommending approval or disapproval of the draft ordinance. The Board expressed the opinion that the proposed regulations were just a band -aid to a number of provisions in the Land Development Code parking. section which need to be revised. JP /SAY X: \PB\PB Agendas Staff Reports\2008 Agendas Staff Reports \1- 15- 08 \PB -08 -004 LDC Amend Comments from Parking Board. doe Parking Board Meeting Jan. 11, 2008 I. Board members in attendance constituting a quorum: Shirley Huebner, Sharon McCain, Ken Merker, Michael Miller II. No minutes were available for review. There were technical difficulties with the disc containing the recording of the prior meeting. III. A resignation was submitted by Alex Abril stating conflicts with his schedule would not allow him to continue to attend the meetings. A motion was passed to accept the resignation. IV. A letter was sent to the board by a business owner asking the board to provide more metered and residential decal parking. Sharon would follow up on the request with the city manager. V. Miscellaneous Business: a. Concerning the president of First National bank who was parking in the loading zone. Ken spoke with Veronica and asked her to talk to Bruce and ask him to please not park there anymore. b. Michael asked about an ordinance that would limit the amount of cars a private house could have on their property. Apparently the ordinance was dropped as it would be too much trouble to ask homeowners to have to obtain a permit. c. Michael also asked the boards opinions on what the parking situation in 10 years. There were no concrete plans or answers, but mention of a new garage was made. d. Michael requested that the timing on the light at 62nd Street be adjusted or some signage be put up in regards to the how long the light takes. e. Shirley wanted to make mention that curb cuts should not be allowed anymore. VI. In reviewing the 2008 schedule, the board agreed they should start to hold meetings once a month and conduct special meetings when necessary. VII. Sharon made mention of the traffic situation around Whole Foods and Wendy's area. She suggested that the 2 municipalities need to work together to solve the situation. VIII. Concerning issues for 2008, Shirley discussed with the board the issue of signage. Ken made mention that during the refurbishing of Sunset Drive, a sign would be erected to direct drivers to make a left at 58th Ct (is this correct ?) to reach US -1. IX. City manager addressed the board regarding the new parking garage. There was concern amongst residents because there were no attendants. The police assured him that there is 24/7 surveillance and there is an officer patrolling the garage at least 4 times per shift. There is also a decoy car inside garage that's moved around periodically. More information on the impact of the garage would be available after a few months. The City Manager would soon be evaluating valet services, the parking garage, and usage of these services. He would also work on getting merchants who buy decals for their employees to start parking in the garage. In regards to the new restaurants opening near the garage, the employees would be parking inside the garage. There was mention of a slight issue with the machines in the garage not allowing visitors to add time to their space. This issue isn't something that can be solved. Having a flat rate in the evening is the only solution. X. Sandy came in to review an ordinance put together by the planning board and the city attorney. Under the off - street parking section: a. Businesses are allowed to count street parking spaces towards their requirement as long as they're in front of their lot. b. The city manager can assign street parking on street spaces 1500 ft away for commercial properties. The new wording would require that item A only be applicable is the business pays an annual fee of $1000 paid to the city per parking space used towards their parking requirement beginning January 2, 2008. It would also clarify item B's wording so that the city manager could assign the spaces without consulting the property owner that the spaces are adjacent to, but only outside the boundaries of the downtown area. Sharon and Shirley both expressed concerns over the city not addressing the parking space problem and instead creating phantom spaces and credits. It was also felt that $1000 per space wasn't enough to charge the business owners. Michael was concerned that the fees weren't explained properly either. The board passes a motion to recommend the following: - Spaces right in front of properties counted towards the parking requirement only be counted once. - Annual fee for parking spaces be increased. - That any matter regarding spaces assigned by City Manager be brought before the parking board for recommendation. Sharon and the rest of the board felt that the ordinance as a whole is not solving the phantom parking problem. XI, Meeting is adjourned.