2023.07.18 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Motion by Commissioner Nelsen, seconded by Commissioner Frischman, to recommend the City Council approve the proposed site plan based on the findings of fact and conditions listed on page 8 of the report as may have been amended here tonight. Approved 6-0. (B) Parking Standards Revision Check – Bolton & Menk. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reported Bolton & Menk was in attendance to get feedback on some initial concepts they are considering for the City’s right- sizing parking project. Harry Davis, Bolton & Menk, commented further on the conceptual approaches proposed for updating the City’s parking requirements. He reviewed current parking trends and discussed how City Code could be amended. He reported there seems to be a desire to consider the idea of no minimum parking for non-residential properties. He explained having residential parking minimums was still something that was desirable to the City. He provided further comment on how parking minimums and maximums could be set by the City, while also allowing for a flexible maximum. Commissioner McQuillan questioned how parking would be addressed within mixed use developments. Mr. Davis stated the City would have to look at a shared parking system. Commissioner Nelsen indicated he did not like the idea of having too much parking. However, he also wanted to ensure sites had enough parking so cars did not spill out into adjacent uses. Mr. Davis commented on how the right balance of parking was necessary for both residential and commercial properties. He stated the other part of this was to consider if on street parking was an option. Chair Biedenfeld expressed concern with the fact projects may be under parked in the future if the City were to follow developers recommendations. He commented on how a number of multi-family projects that come before the City were grossly under parked per the City’s recommendations and required modifications in order to meet the needs of the tenants. He understood there was need to not over park properties, but he wanted to make sure the City still had proper parking requirements in place. Mr. Davis stated the key would be to finding the right balance. Chair Biedenfeld stated there were a fair amount of County roads going through New Brighton and noted on street parking was not allowed on County roadways. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola asked how the no minimum parking requirement has operated in other communities. Mr. Davis explained he spent four years working for a City that had no minimums and every development he reviewed or was a part of had a small parking lot.