04172007 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Meeting April 17, 2007 Page 5 with Walker Parking Consultants. He also stated the alternative scope is more of a hands study, but by no means is a comprehensive parking study. Ms. Robertson inquired to the time line that would be needed to fitting in the parking analysis. Mr. Coulston stated there are a couple of issues that would need to be considered, like participate in community discussions, and then develop the rest of the ideas. He also stated the commuter rail would also need to be considered. Mr. Bose stated several citizens are requesting to add the parking garage to the Master Plan, but the he feels the consultant wants to wait until the study is done to see if the garage is needed. Mr. Coulston stated yes once they get into the plan, they will be able to get a better idea if a garage is needed. He stated currently he has no data to back up the need for a parking garage, but he knows it is an interest of the citizens. He also stated parking is a passionate interest, but until there is more detailed information on growth, and what the City wants out of a Downtown first. Mr. Guerrero inquired to the cost of the study. Mr. Coulston stated the cost of the study would be $37,000.00. Mayor Narvaiz stated both the existing scope and the alternative scope are not the full blown study. She inquired to if the Council invest the $37,000.00, then the City would need to invest more once the Master Plan is done. Mr. Coulston stated he is not sure what the cost of a full parking study would be. He also stated many communities the private sector provides the parking. Mayor Narvaiz inquired to the procedures used when Broaddus did the University Master Plan. She inquired to whether this was done as a broad picture, then had to go back with the idea. Mr. Coulston stated their Master Plan happened in tandem. Mayor Narvaiz inquired to whether the Downtown Master Plan should be done in tandem, or do we proceed with what we have, and later kick in the expanded process. Mr. Coulston stated he feels considering the two options, he would do the second option of integrate in comprehensively. Cecil Pennington, Assistant Planning and Development Director, stated Planning and Zoning Commission is not ignoring parking; they tried not to preclude ideas and not predetermine a solution. Mr. Thomaides encouraged the community to come out on April 25, 2007 for the community meeting. He stated the Downtown is a vital part of the community, so he encouraged everyone's participation. He stated he disagrees with the Staff recommendation and he would like to see more data. Mr. Guerrero and Mayor Narvaiz stated they would like to see Staff continue the process and not to add the additional option at this time. Mr. Bose and Ms. Robertson stated they would like to expand the Master Plan to include the parking during the second phase. Ms. Couch stated she feels there needs to be more parking. She stated at this point she is satisfied that the existing scope includes a review of a place for the parking garage, so she agrees with the staff recommendation. Mayor Narvaiz introduced for consideration Item 10, removed from the consent agenda, approval of an Ordinance, the caption which was read as follows: