HomeMy WebLinkAbout#04 - Downtown ParkingSTAFF REPORT
DATE: June 12, 2018
DISCUSSION
AGENDA ITEM: Downtown Parking
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Jack Griffin, City Engineer
Rob Weldon, Public Works Director
Emily Becker, Planning Director
BACKGROUND:
With the reconstruction of Lake Elmo Ave in 2016, the number of parking spaces downtown was
impacted as a change was made to parallel parking spots consistent with Washington County policy. This
provides a safer parking option in that cars are not backing right out in to traffic. Through Phases 1 and 2
of the Old Village project, approximately 18 park spaces were lost. Most of this was due to the change to
parallel parking but 3-4 spots were lost along Upper 33rd with the Council decision to shift the road away
from Steve Johnson’s storage facility. While the number of parking spaces has changed do to the new
design, the signs restricting parking to either 15, 60 or 90 minutes were put back in the same location. The
attached map provides details on the number, location and time restriction of parking spots.
Since the project was substantially complete, the city has received numerous comments from the public
about the changes. These include complaints that patrons of other establishments are parking in front of
the post office for more than 15 minutes; that there are too many 15 minute parking spots according to
others; handicap parking/valet service in front of the Lake Elmo Inn taking parking spots away from
others; a lack of a handicap parking space near the curb cut by Village Hair Care; and the crosswalk not
being replaced at Upper 33rd and Lake Elmo Ave. Lake Elmo staff has met twice in the last 6 months
with Washington County staff to discuss these concerns and review options. If the City would like to see
any changes to the parking regulations, the County requests the Council pass a resolution.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
What, if any, parking changes should the City seek from the County on Lake Elmo Ave? Are there any
changes that should be made to parking on city streets?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
As mentioned, staff has heard a number of issues of concern raised by the community and some of them
are competing interests. For example, do you remove the 15 minute parking in front of the post office so
that it is available to anyone? This may be a welcomed change from those visiting other establishments
such as the Lake Elmo Inn but certainly would not please those who are already complaining about not
being able to park in front of the post office when they need to visit that location. Staff’s recommendation
with respect to the time limits would be to not change the 15 minute parking area but perhaps remove the
60 and 90 minute limits all together or switch the 60 to 90 so there is more consistency.
With respect to the handicap/valet parking issue, staff does not have a recommendation. Rather we have
encouraged the County to treat the businesses similarly. Meaning if they decide to allow one business to
do it, they should be open to allowing other businesses the same convenience. The challenge with this then
is that fewer parking spots are available to the general public if they are reserved for handicap/valet parking.
In a situation where we are already hearing concerns about the decreased number of parking spots, it may
not make sense to further restrict parking.
County staff has agreed to replace the crosswalk across Lake Elmo Ave at Upper 33rd. They will seek to
standardize the cross walk crossings downtown however. Some of the crosswalks are painted, while others
have the signage and some have both. The County is still evaluating which is the best option.
Lastly, to help direct the public to more public parking options (i.e. the library parking lot, the small lot on
the north side of 34 St), staff has proposed placing “Public Parking” signs at those locations and on Lake
Elmo Ave directing folks to the library parking lot.
OPTIONS:
1) Direct staff to prepare a resolution detailing the changes the city would like to ask for from the
county?
2) Direct staff to make no further changes (crosswalk and public parking signs are already agreed to
by county and city)
3) Direct staff to make changes (to be determined by council at meeting) to city streets
ATTACHMENTS:
• As Built Map from Phases 1 and 2
AREA = 15 SQ'
REM = 48 SQ '
PERIMETER = 30 '
AREA = 15 SQ'
REM = 48 SQ '
PERIMETER = 30 '
AREA = 15 SQ'
REM = 48 SQ '
PERIMETER = 30 '
AREA = 15 SQ'
REM = 48 SQ '
PERIMETER = 30 '
R
R
DOOR DOOR
LAKE ELMO AVE N
LAVERNE AVE N
3
6
T
H
S
T
N
S
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P
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R
3
3
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5
0
5
0
10
0
2
5
C
R 14
SAS 12/6/17
ALLEY
STOP
STOP
S
N
S
STOP
STOP
B
E
G
I
N
E
N
D
6
0
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
S
T
OP
S
T
O
P
B
E
G
I
N
SNS
6
0
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
E
N
D
90
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
E
N
D
6
0
P
ARKI
NG
MI
N
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
6
0
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
2AM
TO
6AM
B
E
G
I
N
6
0
P
AR
KI
NG
MI
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6
:
3
0
A
M
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6
:
3
0
P
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B
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G
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1
5
P
ARKI
NG
MI
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6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
E
N
D
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
15
90
PARKING
MIN
6
:
3
0
A
M
T
O
6
:
3
0
P
M
E
N
D
C
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UNT
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14
WASHINGTON
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WASHINGTON
STOP
STOP R
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STOP
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P
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D
L
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3
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ENDDEAD
NO
OUTLET
S
T
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P
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A
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SI
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SNS
SNS
STOP SLOW
CHILDREN
AT PLAY
DO NOT
ENTER
DO NOT
ENTER
SN
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SNS
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STOP
EMERGENCY
VEHICLES
ONLY
EMERGENCY
VEHICLES
ONLY
S
P
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L
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T
1
0
PARKING
N
O
I
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ALLEY
S
P
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D
L
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T
1
0
N
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P
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N
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A
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N
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D
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A
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HERE
TO
CORNER
HERE
TO
CORNER
(5 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE
(9 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE
(7 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE
(8 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE
(15 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE
(3 TOTAL)
PARKING SPACE