5.2. SR 09-17-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r ~.~ lZivcr Downtown Parking Study city department or private parking operator. Second, the city could create a parking authority. This authority would consist of an executive director and a board composed of members of the downtown community. Board members could include members of other downtown organizations (e.g. the Chamber of Commerce, River's Edge Downtown Businesses, etc.), downtown business owners, members of the general public, and city staff. Finally, the city could contract with an outside organization to provide parking system operations and management. For example, the city could contract with a downtown business organization to provide parking system management. It is important to note that whatever the parking management approach is ultimately taken by the City of Elk River, several concepts are always necessary. First, the management of downtown parking resources requires the input and involvement of the private business stakeholders. They must remain a part of the parking planning process, and they can offer real world options based on their experience. Also, lines of communication must remain open between those responsible for parking within the city and downtown stakeholders. Second, parking policies and regulations must be consistently applied. Once the system guiding principles have been established, they must be adhered to, or they will lose their importance. Third, the parking system must be properly maintained and provide a safe parking environment. Finally, the parking system must be promoted effectively to ensure both visitors and business owners understand the system. Parking Enforcement In the long term it may be necessary to modify the time limit regulations of the on-street spaces. The on-street time limits were recently changed from a three hour limit to a two hour limit with some spaces having a one hour limit. As downtown becomes more prosperous and more employees are working downtown, some employees may start moving their vehicles every two hours to avoid a citation. This "two hour shuffle" can be detrimental as visitors and customers of the businesses will be unable to use the most convenient parking spaces. Strategies to discourage employee use of the on-street spaces include: • Increasing the number of on-street spaces with one hour time limits. • Enact regulations that force parkers to move their vehicles a minimum number of feet to avoid a citation. For example, a required 500 foot minimum move will discourage the "two hour shuffle". September 2007 Carl Walker, Inc. 40