Council defeats parking lot proposal
By Lynn Zerschling | Posted: Tuesday, December 09, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Downtown building owners will retain the right to tear down their buildings and put up parking lots, as a result of City Council action Monday night.
The council overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to limit the construction of stand alone parking lots in the central business district. Lots still could be built as part of a building project. The proposal came from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the city's Historic Preservation Commission and a committee of various groups, including Downtown Partners.
Last month the council gave first-round approval to the zoning change on a 3-1 vote with only Mayor Mike Hobart objecting. On the second reading Monday night, the vote was unanimous.
Dick Salem, a commercial Realtor and downtown building owner, said, "I think it should be at my discretion to tear it down or not tear it down and build a parking lot there."
Hobart said he opposed using the city's "police powers" to restrict property owners' use of their buildings.
However, Roger Caudron, executive director of Downtown Partners, pointed out the city has restricted downtown uses through its zoning powers through the years. People can't build manufacturing plants, drive-through restaurants, truck terminals, gas stations, single family homes and industries downtown.
"This won't prevent putting in a parking lot with a new structure," Caudron stated. "What we have seen is the suburbanization of downtowns across the country" with an increasing number of parking lots.
Ferris said it appeared the proposal was aimed at preventing people from demolishing their buildings. Patty Heagel, community development director, stressed the proposal would just restrict the use of that land once a structure was razed.
Jim Jung, preservation commission chairman, added, "It's not about tearing down buildings. ... It's just a way for you to be better caretakers of the downtown."
Hobart said, "I sense you're trying to keep people from competing with city ramps."
City Manager Paul Eckert said that members of the finance staff and the Parking Advisory Committee were not involved in crafting the recommendations. Caudron pointed out there are 6,800 off-street parking stalls downtown. Only 2,000 of those are controlled by the city. A 2005 parking study showed that the maximum use rate of all parking spaces was 53 percent.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "You might be trying to fix a problem that is not a serious one."
The council overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to limit the construction of stand alone parking lots in the central business district. Lots still could be built as part of a building project. The proposal came from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the city's Historic Preservation Commission and a committee of various groups, including Downtown Partners.
Last month the council gave first-round approval to the zoning change on a 3-1 vote with only Mayor Mike Hobart objecting. On the second reading Monday night, the vote was unanimous.
Dick Salem, a commercial Realtor and downtown building owner, said, "I think it should be at my discretion to tear it down or not tear it down and build a parking lot there."
Hobart said he opposed using the city's "police powers" to restrict property owners' use of their buildings.
However, Roger Caudron, executive director of Downtown Partners, pointed out the city has restricted downtown uses through its zoning powers through the years. People can't build manufacturing plants, drive-through restaurants, truck terminals, gas stations, single family homes and industries downtown.
"This won't prevent putting in a parking lot with a new structure," Caudron stated. "What we have seen is the suburbanization of downtowns across the country" with an increasing number of parking lots.
Ferris said it appeared the proposal was aimed at preventing people from demolishing their buildings. Patty Heagel, community development director, stressed the proposal would just restrict the use of that land once a structure was razed.
Jim Jung, preservation commission chairman, added, "It's not about tearing down buildings. ... It's just a way for you to be better caretakers of the downtown."
Hobart said, "I sense you're trying to keep people from competing with city ramps."
City Manager Paul Eckert said that members of the finance staff and the Parking Advisory Committee were not involved in crafting the recommendations. Caudron pointed out there are 6,800 off-street parking stalls downtown. Only 2,000 of those are controlled by the city. A 2005 parking study showed that the maximum use rate of all parking spaces was 53 percent.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "You might be trying to fix a problem that is not a serious one."
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Tim wrote on Dec 9, 2008 6:58 PM:
HRollins wrote on Dec 9, 2008 6:53 AM:
One constant on Council is Mr. Rixner...this town has so many problems, but he consistantly says "This is a problem that does need fixing." Shouldn't every problem be fixed? "