City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 10/16/2014 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, September 18, 2014 7:00PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bob - 8:03 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Linda Bob; Albert Eckian; Michael Holland ; Karen LeHeup-Smith ; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 14218 Workshop Presentation by Representatives of Eustis Partners, LLC Regarding Downtown Development Tom Carrino, Economic Development Director, explained that Eustis Partners LLC had met with various Commissioners individually and had requested to meet with the Commission as a whole. Jack Prickett commented on the recent developments in the downtown area noting that he is not part of Eustis Partners LLC. He stated that the primary issue for development of their property and his is parking. He commented on the possible effect on the downtown if the vacant lots are developed. Tim Green, Green Consulting Group and representing Eustis Partners, commented on the previous presentation to the Commission regarding the proposed development and its site plan. He reviewed the required parking per City code based on how the site might be developed. He explained the issue with trying to develop the site and providing sufficient parking. Mr. Prickett commented on the willingness of Wells Fargo to let others utilize their parking spaces after hours. He further commented on the perception that there is not a parking problem. II. Commission Discussion The Commission commented on a parking study conducted in 2008 with Mr. Prickett explaining that the study included parking spaces that are not located where the parking needs to be. The Commission confirmed that the City land development regulations require that, if you build on a lot, you have to provide onsite parking. Mr. Green explained the difficulty in constructing a building on the size lots available and the difficulty in designing a parking garage to meet the needs. The Commission commented on how parking has been addressed by other developments. Mr. Prickett cited the size of the available lots downtown. He explained that Eustis Partners could construct their three buildings and meet their parking requirements but there would be no parking available for other people. The Commission commented on the turnover of vehicles downtown and the possibility that the lot in front of the post office could be used for parking due to it being unsuitable for regular construction. It was noted that the west lot would have to be cleaned up if it is uncapped for development. Mr. Prickett agreed that the lot in front of the post office could be used for surface parking. He stated that Eustis Partners can solve their own parking problem using those lots. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 10n12014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2014 The Commission confirmed that the two lots would no longer be available for public parking but would be just for use of the Eustis Partners' development. It was noted that the existing parking garage is not greatly used. Frank Gaylord, Eustis Partners, suggested the City close off those three blocks for a month and see how many vehicles there are. The Commission discussed the lack of available parking spaces at night due to the two new restaurants, the number of parking spaces being utilized in Ferrran Park, the difficulty in maintaining businesses in the downtown area, the growth in the City between 2007 and 2014, the need to attract non-residents to the City to do business, and the need to plan and build for the future. Mr. Gaylord explained their plans to construct one building at a time and that all of their plans can probably not be completed without encountering a parking issue. Mr. Green explained that for them to put in sufficient parking will require their structures to be much taller than the surrounding buildings such as four or five stories rather than two or three. The Commission expressed opposition to blocking off the parking lots due to the possibility of hurting the downtown businesses. It was noted that staff previously identified the Lake Community Action Agency building as a viable location for additional parking. It was also suggested that there might be a future need for a parking lot near the Woman's Club facility. III. Public Input Jim Rotella, 217 E. Badger; noted he was on the previous parking committee. He stated that when the study was done it showed that there is parking available however it is scattered. He stated that the City needs to be more forward looking and commented on the need to become a destination as well as develop a downtown resident population. He commented on the need for a public/private partnership to address the issue. Sue Hooper; 621 N. Eustis Street, suggested constructing a parking garage with retail around it and residential on the first and second floors with residents able to access their homes straight in from the parking garage. IV. Commission Direction The Commission discussed the probability of a future parking problem and the need to begin researching the best location for additional parking. it was suggested that staff review the previous parking studies with Ms. Kramer noting that the primary discussion is about the location and convenience of parking rather than the volume of parking. She stated her perception that what is wanted is to construct parking on one of the existing downtown lots. The Commission discussed the need for the staff to take the lead with a suggestion that Eustis Partners could donate the lot south of the post office with the City constructing surface parking on that site. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for staff to work with Eustis Partners to develop a plan to address current and future parking in the downtown area. V. Adjournment - 9:06 p.m. Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Pagel Printed on 10fl/2014