Short Term Parking Policy for Proposed Surface Parking Lots in the Downtown Area

Background

  • Adopted by the City Council on March 2, 1999 (Resolution No. 99-100) to support the activities of the Convention Center/Memorial Auditorium area and the Central Business District/Cultural/Entertainment District.
  • Due to a temporary shortage of parking to serve these facilities, stand-alone parking facilities are acceptable if they are properly designed and tailored to accommodate visitors and patrons of the downtown area.
  • Surface parking lots are acceptable on commercial zoned lots because they:

    1. are conducive to short-term leases and require minimal improvement costs (low capital investment),
    2. can be appropriate as a transitional or interim land use which improves the appearance of substandard lots, and,
    3. can address special event parking needs (versatile).
  • Surface parking lots shall be acceptable only, at certain specified sites and only for a limited duration of time. This policy shall be in effect for three years. At that time, the policy shall be reevaluated to determine whether surface parking is still necessary to meet the parking demand for the area.

Development Standards

Projects requesting Special Permits for non-required off-street parking, in the Convention Center/Memorial Auditorium Area shall meet each of the following criteria:

  • Location: Only sites included on the attached Map shall be supported. These sites include parcels which were vacant as of January 1, 1998 or which were occupied by auto oriented uses involving non-historic structures. (See attached Map)
  • Number of Spaces: Staff shall determine a total number of surface parking spaces to be allowed under this policy. If the total number of approved surface parking spaces is reached, no further surface parking proposals shall be supported.
  • Fee Structure: Only short term (hourly or daily) parking permits shall be issued and the lot shall be available to the general public. The sale of monthly or long term leases shall not be allowed.
  • Coordination with the Convention Center: Prior to approval of a Special Permit, the applicant must sign an agreement, with Downtown Enterprise staff, specifying that with 30 days notice, the Convention Center would be allowed exclusive use of the lot, at a price predetermined in the agreement.
  • Development Standards : The proposed lot shall comply with the City's Tree Shading requirements and landscaping requirements, as well as all parking lot design standards . Variances from these requirements shall not be granted. Additionally the project shall provide enhanced landscaping at all street corners.
  • Access: The facility shall be accessed via alleys only, unless this is determined infeasible by City Public Works staff.
  • On Site and Street Lighting: Lighting shall be provided at 1.0 footcandles of minimum maintained illumination per square foot of parking space between the hours of dusk and sunrise. Lighting shall be historic acorn lighting, unless otherwise specified by Design Review staff.
  • Term of Special Permit: The Special Permit shall be for a term of 5 years. The applicant shall agree to remove (demolish) parking lot improvements (except perimeter landscaping) immediately upon expiration of the Special Permit, and shall post a performance bond sufficient to finance this action.
  • Operation During Evening Hours: Operation of the facilities in the evening hours shall be acceptable only for lots in the immediate vicinity of the Memorial Auditorium, as determined by Downtown Enterprise Department Staff.

For Further Information