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Home My WebLink AboutSPJT Minutes 1984-04-23SRCC Minutes (S,-�c. Jt.) 4/23/84 Page 1 In the Council Chambers of the City of San Rafael, Monday, April 23, 1984, at 8:00 PM. Special Joint Present: San Rafael City Council: Workshop Meeting with Lawrence E. Mulryan, Mayor City Council/Planning Dorothy L. Breiner, Councilmember Commission/Downtown Gary R. Frugoli, Councilmember Parking Advisory Richard Nave, Councilmember Committee Jerry Russom, Councilmember Planning Commission: Maynard Willms, Chairman Albert J. Boro, Planning Commissioner Robert E. Hoffmann, Planning Commissioner Bob W. Livingston, Planning Commissioner Richard M. Norman, Planning Commissioner Michael J. Smith, Planning Commissioner John A. Starkweather, Planning Commissioner Downtown Parking District Advisory Committee: Buz Thiercof, Chairman Lee Battat, Committee Member Gimi Sessi, Committee Member Absent: William J. Bielser, Committee Member Pat Tyrell -Smith, Committee Member Also Present: Robert F. Beyer, City Manager; Leonard J. Nibbi, Associate Planner; Jeanne M. Leoncini, City Clerk 1. WORKSHOP MEETING TO DISCUSS DOWNTOWN PARKING DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT - File 9-2-37 City Manager Beyer introduced this item and briefly explained the charge of the Committee. Committee Chairman Thiercof introduced the members of the Committee, their staff, and outlined the charge of the Committee in greater detail. Associate Planner Nibbi explained that in December, 1982, the City reduced the retail and office parking requirement. These reductions only affect areas outside the Parking Assessment District #1. The new reduced require- ments were based upon several counts of existing uses and a review of the parking requirements of several other communities. Within the parking assessment district, the original parking requirements still apply. One of the Committee's primary recommendations is to reduce the requirement for all uses above the ground level, within the assessment dis- trict, to the same requirement adopted outside the district. It is felt that this change is needed to give the downtown another advantage over other commercial areas. Mr. Nibbi explained that if all vacant parcels within the parking assessment district are developed, including private lots not required by any City actions, there could be an increased parking demand of 950 spaces or after subtracting out the current estimated surplus, an ultimate shortfall of 774 spaces. The Committee believes that the City has the ability given revenues generated by parking to continue financing public parking in the downtown. Committee Chairman Thiercof then summarized the Committee's recommendations regarding financing opportunities for future parking. He presented several large displays summarizing parking vehicle related revenue to the City, parking district revenue and expenses, parking district bond obligations, future surplus dollars available, and total parking related dollars. (These charts have been reduced and are available for review in the Planning Department.) It was noted that when total parking related revenues are compared to expenses there is a large surplus provided by parking that is available to the City of San Rafael for acquisition and development of future parking areas. Additionally, it was emphasized that there are insufficient monies strictly within the parking district account to pay off the new parking structure. SRCC Minutes (Spec. Jt.) 4/23/84 Page 1 SRCC Minutes (Spec. Jt.) 4/23/84 Page 2 In response to a question from the Council, City Manager Beyer indicated that it was anticipated that the new parking structure would be paid off within six to eight years. Committee Chairman Thiercof noted that there would be a $30,000 to $40,000 shortfall per year. Commissioner Smith questioned whether a longer term loan could be secured. City Manager Beyer indicated that that is an option. Additionally, the City could consider refinancing. Councilmember Breiner noted that better enforcement could result in an increased revenue from parking. Additionally, the City could rent out more of the spaces on a monthly basis. City Manager Beyer indicated that staff is looking at that option. It was noted that if the entire structure was leased as employee parking, approximately $200,000 to $300,000 in revenue could be generated per year. Associate Planner Nibbi explained the four other text changes to the Parking Ordinance recommended by the Committee. These text changes included an alternative to the present assessment district parking provisions, standardization of the in -lieu fee, clarification of grandfathered rights in the case of a building damaged or destroyed, and definition of standard and compact parking stall sizes. Committee Member Battat summarized several other recommendations included in the report. These consisted of a uniform signing approach for all public parking areas, improved enforcement of parking, free parking on weekends, better advertisement of parking areas, adequate bus terminal parking, and provision of new public parking areas at both the east and west ends of downtown. Committee Member Sessi presented the Committee's recommendations regarding potential future parking areas. It was noted that the City believes that the distribution of parking in the downtown could be greatly improved through the provision of additional public parking areas. Councilmember Breiner indicated an opposition to the suggested reduction in the parking requirements. Councilmember Breiner felt that existing projects such as Marin Square have indicated that the new parking requirement may not work. Committee Member Battat emphasized that the only way the suggested reduction in parking requirements will work is if that reduced requirement is tied to a commitment on behalf of the Council to provide future public parking areas. Councilmember Breiner indicated that the City should move ahead as quickly as possible to provide the next parking lot in the downtown. Mayor Mulryan commented that the City should keep a better record of parking related revenues and costs. Councilmember Russom noted that the City must consider that improved parking results in improved retail sales tax generation. Councilmember Breiner asked if there are any other costs that we have not charged to the parking assessment district relative to parking. City Manager Beyer responded that only landscaping costs (of the new parking structure and parking lots) have not been charged to the assessment district account. Councilmember Breiner noted that we should keep revenues separated but not necessarily earmarked for any specific use. Additionally, a master signing program is needed. The Council, Commission, and Committee then discussed the need for improved marketing of the existing parking facilities in the downtown and improved uniform signing. It was noted that a map of the downtown should be provided near each parking structure to indicate all the downtown parking facilities. In closing, Mayor Mulryan indicated that staff should review the financing for the alternatives for the parking garage. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM to next regular Council meeting to be held Monday, May 7, 1984, at 8:00 PM. ANNE M.EO NI,City Clerk Approved This Day of MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL SRCC Minutes (Spec. Jt.) 4/23/84 Page 2 3. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 16, 1984 AND SPECIAL AND SPECIAL JOINT MEETINGS WITH PLANNING- COMMISSION[Ls7vdLUKiN PARKING DISTRICT r ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF APRIL 23, 1984 (CC) File 1-4 Councilmember Russom moved and Councilmember Nave seconded to approve the minutes with an amendment to the minutes of April 23, 1984 to indicate that Councilmember Breiner suggested that the Council receive a map showing where all the different meters and time limits are in the downtown area. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Breiner, Frugoli, Nave, Russom F Mayor Mulryan NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: Breiner (from minutes of 4/16/84 only due to absence from meeting)