In-lieu parking fee beneficial to developers, not downtown
In a letter to the editor of the Daily Democrat (click title to access), downtowner John Perry pokes another hole in the new ordinance. Here's the letter:
On April 2, the City Council approved a new "in lieu" parking fee ordinance for the benefit of developers. I spoke before the council in opposition of the proposed new ordinance. The new ordinance was of particular interest to me because the proposed City Center Lofts project is adjacent to my existing business and this project will benefit greatly from the new "in lieu parking fee" ordinance.
The city planning staff states that developers must meet at least one of a list of findings to be able to pay in lieu fees rather than construct new parking. According to planning staff, the findings include projects located where the creation of new parking is unfeasable due to physical constraints at the location or unnecessary due to proposed use. As a business person, who is located in the downtown area, these findings make sense.
The last finding that a developer may need to meet, is that parking is unnecessary because existing parking in the area is sufficient, would be detrimental to the pedestrian nature of the area or would be undesirable because encouraging people to walk would benefit the area. Since the City Center Lofts project is entitled to pay an in lieu fee, and does not meet the first two findings, it falls under this last finding.
When I expanded my building in the 1980s, I was limited to 1,000 square feet because of inadequate parking. The City Center Lofts project is adding approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space, with no onsite commercial parking being provided. When I met with the city planning staff, I was told that there was adequate parking within a three block radius. I fail to understand how making people walk up to a three block radius from their desired location, benefits anyone other than the developer that is not required to install onsite parking.
The fee that was discussed at the council meeting is less than 1/5th the cost of constructing on site parking. I can understand why the developer chooses the in lieu fee over constructing on site parking.
Mayor Flory stated, in The Daily Democrat's April 3, story on parking that the ordinance would encourage developers to invest in Woodland's downtown. If the in lieu fee is utilized to accommodate a developer, in the down area, because of physical constraints or unnecessary due to proposed use, I would agree it would be good for the community. If the reason for the in lieu fee is because there is adequate parking within a three block radius, than the benefit to the community is non existent. This ordinance will be devastating to existing businesses that already have a shortage of parking in the downtown area. My business already has a shortage of parking within a reasonable distance. I don't consider a three block radius reasonable. In planning text books or big city areas, three blocks may be considered reasonable, but not in downtown Woodland.
From the council's unanimous vote supporting the ordinance, it is apparent that my position was not very convincing to the council. I must assume that my position on the new parking ordinance, based on doing business in downtown Woodland for over 34 years, was overshadowed by the desire to encourage developers to invest in the downtown.
The new parking ordinance may encourage developers to invest in the downtown, but it will also encourage businesses that need convenient parking, such as my business, to move from the downtown area. The City Council should avoid taking actions that encourage developers at the determent of existing businesses. The new in lieu parking fee ordinance will encourage developers but at the same time will be detrimental to existing businesses. My business will survive, because I have the option to move from the downtown area, which I am currently in the process of investigating. In my opinion, the in lieu parking ordinance will be a disaster for the downtown area but the capitalistic system does allow ill conceived projects to proceed and fail.
JOHN PERRY, Woodland
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12 comments:
Hey there John,
My downtown business has also been investigating a space other than the downtown because of the parking issues.
My business will survive as well, I do not NEED the downtown to operate my retail business.
Shame on our Council as a whole for choosing to support these large developers , while ignoring the small mom & pop stores.
I sure do hope we can get some new/out-of-the-box thinking Council members this election.
I would like to know what our new City Manager, Mark Deven thinks about this in-liew fee. Or was this purely a Council move?
I feel like my comment on here today has been expressed by many other downtown businesses on prior posts. I just don't understand the Council's direction on this one.
I will not use my real name here as I do not wish to be attacked by some of the Jr. High school bullies who spout off on this blog. You can just call me,
Bummed.
Bummer,
The city manager signed off on the staff recommendation to pass the ordinance. Yes, there were many posts about the issue on this blog... but I guess they weren't convincing to the council.
Hey John
Are you just upset about the parking (In-lieu fee) because you couldn't rip off the developer on his purchase offer. I heard the developer offered a very good price to purchase your property so you could move out of the downtown to a new office bldg. Sorry you can't have it both ways.
John brought up some very good points. On this issue, it came down to would the City Center Lofts Project be more positive to the downtown then negative. The thought of middle-upper income people living and spending money downtown won out, thankfully. They will shop, eat and play downtown.
The issue is about the in-liew parking fee, not the lofts project.
And what makes you think that the lofts project will get more people spending money in non-existant shops, eateries, and entertainment?
Perry Bunch Battaglia & Johnston. 350 Court St. Woodland, CA 95695
Seems as though Mr Perry cannot see the bigger picture.
Having the center city lofts project built downtown will increase what the downtown is lacking right now. Consumers! You know those people who walk around looking at shops to see what we have to entice them.
Unless you think having another mexican rest downtown will be the draw for us.
To the downtown business owner who made this comment.
"My downtown business has also been investigating a space other than the downtown because of the parking issues.
I guess you didn't do your homework prior to opening your business. For the last 15-20 years parking downtown has always been a heated issue.
Seems to me you should have chose a different location in the first place. Did you think the parking was going to get better if more customers started coming downtown?
Move to downtown davis and then tell me what the parking is like here.
As to moving you have to do what is right for business.
The issue is the lofts project for John. It is really a non issue when you think about it. The lofts project will have underground parking for its tenants and whatever retail it has will surely not need as much parking as the Chevy dealership already uses.
The lofts project is great for me because these people will have to eat. If you don't like it move so there is more space for those of us that enjoy the downtown.
The in-lieu fee is a great idea. Make people start paying something to the problem of parking. I just hope they raise the amount.
6:27
What's the amount? How will the money be spent?
7:32,
I did a great deal of research before moving here. Choosing to open a store in Woodland's downtown was primarily to take advantage of the foot traffic normally attained in vibrant downtowns. We had no idea that Woodland's downtown had such poor support from its residents. Our business has not only survived but grown each year we are here.
I shop all the time in Downtown Davis. Lots of interesting shops and oh yea, PEOPLE walking.
The in-liew parking fee is just one more nail in the coffin for Woodland's downtown merchants. The problem is with City staff and our City Council's lack of support for the small business owners.
I am looking for a shift in perspective from our City leaders to support local merchants. The first thing to fix is the freeway traffic flying through our downtown. Next thing would be to research, plan, and then promote the ideas of building parking structures for downtown. This in-liew fee does none of that. City/County workers are taking up the majority of currently possible parking. The merchants and their staff have no place to park but on the streets.
Woodland's downtown has a lot of open space for new merchants. Woodland's current leaders have no clue how to create an incentive for new businesses opening downtown. Shops, restaurants, and entertainment is what will bring residents to live in our downtown.
Probably end up being more Section 8 housing....and we know the Section Eighters are big eaters, BIG spenders, big waste of time....
and yolocalvet we know that you are a big eater, big spender of other's money and big waste of time...nice attitude dude.
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