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<br />Greenfield Ave Report <br />Jan 22, 2003 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />The drawbacks of such an expansion are two-fold. From an aesthetic perspective, one could <br />argue that the reduction of green-space and the encroachment of the parking lot toward <br />Greenfield would amount to a degradation of the physical appearance of this site. (I was not able <br />to manipulate photos to show what an expanded parking lot might look like.) The other <br />drawback regarding this potential expansion is that the City would be deviating from its rules to <br />grant a further expansion of the variance. The property owner caused the hardship in that he <br />bought the property knowing full well the parking limitations. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />The Planning Commission needs to first determine if the on-street parking problems rise to the <br />level whereby posting the street ‘No Parking” would be appropriate. Second, assuming that <br />overflow parking will occur regardless, the Planning Commission needs to determine if an <br />expansion of the parking lot would be warranted, given the above considerations. While an <br />expansion has been shown to be physically possible, that does not mean it’s appropriate. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission must address, weigh and balance the various interests of the <br />residential property owners, the multiple-family residents and owners, the business owner (Mr. <br />Farrell) and the safety of the general public using the street. Keep in mind that a <br />recommendation to post the street or portion thereof as “No Parking” is just that—a <br />recommendation. The City Council makes the final determination. If reducing the number of <br />vehicles parked on the street is the ultimate goal, then considering a variance to expand the <br />parking lot would be one way to accomplish this; however staff would recommend that any <br />variance be applied for by the property owner through the normal process—it should not be <br />initiated by the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Given all that, the Planning Commission may choose to act on the attached resolution, <br />Resolution 718-03, recommending posting the east side of Greenfield Avenue north of the <br />apartment complex driveway as “No Parking from Here to Corner.” <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> James Ericson <br />Community Development Director <br /> <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Resolution 718-03