• They have requested a Code Amendment to allow parking on an unpaved area for six months.
• City can pass a regulation limiting time of parking, etc.
•There is no restriction on parking vehicles in the street as long as they are not an obstruction/hazard, are not in a no parking zone, and have a valid registration.
• Auto repair business indicated they are struggling with parts supply shortage and its taking longer to get vehicles repaired and off their property.
• They have requested a Code Amendment to allow parking on an unpaved area for six months.
• City can pass a regulation limiting time of parking, etc.

Chair Davis opened the discussion up to residents who were in attendance:

David J. Wissmann-707 Main Street- Mr. Wissmann stated the issue he sees is the car repair business parking the cars so close together on Main Street to get the most amount of vehicles parked on the street. He stated you cannot see oncoming traffic with so many cars parked there. He suggested maybe the solution is to ask the vendor not to park so many vehicles in the street, or have the City create additional parking areas near there. 

Judy Goldick-807, 816 and 820 Main Street- Ms. Goldick explained that parking is a big issue on Main Street. She is going to be opening two more businesses on Main Street and the parking issue is very frustrating. There are several business owners who are trying to lift Main Street up and would like customers to come down and enjoy the view and patronize the businesses.  She stated that Code Enforcement spoke to her for having a food truck on the grass, but the amount of cars parked on Main Street with Collision Center is not being addressed. 

Nick Marquez-816 Main Street- Mr. Marquez stated the frustration cannot be fully expressed with what is happening. The parking on Main Street is dangerous for not just business but residents as well.  The dance studio/academy is moving away from Main Street due to the parking issue.The Collision Center is not doing their part to fix this issue.  He and other businesses are investing time and money into improving Main Street and the City is not doing anything about this. It is a large safety issue.

Mayor Gutierrez stated the 6-month proposal is a good idea, but believes that the Collision Center does not have a proposal. He is ok with allowing a 6-month variance for the Collision Center. 

Councilmember Brown stated that the 6-month variance is a good idea, but he wants to make sure that the Collision Center does not park the cars in their grass area and then park on the street again. He would like to see around the 4-month point a proposal from the Collision Center for a solution. 

Councilmember Heyward stated that this is an ongoing issue and giving them the 6-month variance, she would like to see a plan at the 3-month timeframe. 

Chair Davis say this issue is a bit more challenging.  He is okay in giving them a Special Use Permit for them to park behind their fence in the grassy area, but believes this is a management issue with this business. He recommends that City Council consider a 6-month extension, because it would provide immediate relief to Main Street and getting the cars off the street. He suggested a limit on parking overnight and possibly a permit process for residents who would be allowed to park overnight. 

Councilmember Brown suggested that the businesses are the ones who would be required to get parking permits for overnight parking. 

Chair Davis recommended that the city put up signs limiting overnight parking, and have give the residents a sticker that would identify that they would be allowed to park overnight, and if cars are parked during the hours that are restricted, the city could have that car towed.

Mr. James explained that an amendment can be written for a one-time 6-month period so cars/trucks could park on grassy areas. As business owners come in for a special permit, he would like to see their final plan/solution to the problem. Staff can review plans to make sure they meet code before they issue a permit. Staff is working on amendment and will present to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and then send to City Council for approval.