AgdaPkt 2006-02-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8A REPORT Page 1 To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager February 27,2006 Subject Downtown Parking Requirements Update Recommendation Introduce the attached Ordinance, which establishes new off-street parking requirements and an in-lieu parking fee program for development in Downtown. Background The City of Redwood City and its Redevelopment Agency are currently making major investments in the Downtown area. These investments have been strategically designed to rejuvenate the area and stimulate investment and development in the district. All new business and development in Downtown Redwood City would be subject to the proposed Zoning Ordinance regarding parking requirements. Parking is very important. For the foreseeable future, most visitors to Downtown will arrive by automobile. Ensuring that there is enough parking available is a critical part of making their experience a good one. The Parking Management Plan recently adopted by the City Council will ensure that the current public parking supply (which is adequate for current levels of development, including the cinema) will be managed as efficiently as possible and will be available for those who want it. However, there is not an excessive surplus of parking which can absorb all anticipated future growth. As Downtown grows, so must its parking supply in order so that we have a sufficient supply. Parking requirements can ensure that this will happen. The City-wide parking requirements currently in the Zoning Ordinance are not compatible with the unique nature of a compact, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented sector of the city such as Downtown. The recommended zoning text amendment creates special parking requirements for Downtown which are more responsive to its actual parking needs. The zoning changes currently under consideration are complimentary to the parking management ordinance adopted in August, 2005. These zoning changes simplify Downtown's parking requirements to bring them into alignment with the true parking needs of Downtown and with the City's goals for the area. The requirements were arrived at after research of nation-wide best practices, analysis of the specific needs of Redwood City, and public workshops with Downtown merchants. The resulting parking requirements should ensure that adequate parking is added as Downtown grows, while still maintaining an attractive, pedestrian-friendly environment and ensuring that Downtown Redwood City is a business-friendly place. Currently, Article 30 of the Zoning Ordinance prescribes a uniform set of parking requirements 2006 STAFF REPORTS< AGREEMENTS_02-2006_Downtown PCl'king Requirements Update 1 ..... _... """"--~"'--~'~'~._-~-"--,- .",-~-_._,..._._.-