With two public meetings and up to two studies on the way, parking in downtown Clarkston has been a topic of interest for the City Council.
Candidates Michael E. Cascone, incumbent Eric Haven, Jason M. Kneisc, incumbent David Marsh, incumbent Alfred A. Avery and Peggy J. Roth were asked what they would do about it.
Alfred Avery said parking in a small downtown is always an issue.
“We have limited space available in which to provide parking for visitors. Any time you add more visitors (with the two new restaurants) it is going to add more demand for parking spots,” he said. “There is only so much the city can do because there is a finite amount of space in town. However, the city is going to have a parking study done to determine how we can maximize the space we do have for parking. I think by having a parking study done the city is being proactive in an attempt to help the city businesses.”
Michael E. Cascone said parking is being discussed and opinions formed subjectively.
“We need parking for retail, work and special events. My guess is most of that use is generated by non Clarkston citizens, although it certainly impacts those of us that do live here,” Cascone said.
Two things will help evaluate the issue to a more objective conclusion, he said.
“City Council has approved and funded a parking study, the results of which should help guide issue decisions. I will verify the study includes direct contact and input from Clarkston residents,” he said.
“When our current and still growing retail community feels their pocketbook is being hit they will speak up. So far this has not happened,” he said. “An example is just recently citizens and retail operators were invited to a ‘parking problem’ discussion meeting. If this ‘parking problem’ was adversely impacting profit, the room would have been a bit more crowded.”
The two new restaurants recently approved by council will impact everyone, including existing retail, he said.
“In my opinion we should wait for the parking study results, more input from our residents and the retail community before any further ‘add more’ decisions are made,” he said.
Eric Haven said improvements can be made and will be addressed after the parking study is completed.
“In the 42 years I have lived in Clarkston there have always been parking discussions because our village is completely built-out,” he said. “I believe the investment in restaurants in our downtown is enhancing the quality of Clarkston, property values and the desirability of our city as a unique destination as it was years ago.”
The village encourages crowds, as evidenced by Concerts in the Park, Taste of Clarkston, Art in the Park, parades, etc., he said.
“These are elements of small-town America which give Clarkston the enviable charm it has. It’s interesting to watch the village welcome and accommodate additional traffic and parking when needed,” he said. “As cars change dramatically it will be interesting to see what effects Technology, especially self-driving cars, has on parking. It’s a new day and I embrace change.”
Jason Kneisc said there are several perspectives on parking.
“From the perspective of the citizens of the City of the Village of Clarkston, I don’t believe that parking is an issue, they never have problems finding places to park,” Kneisc said. “From the business owner’s standpoint, while I haven’t seen their revenue numbers, I can only imagine that parking is not an issue to them as current businesses flourish and new businesses continue to open and others desire Main Street locations.”
For non-residents who visit, parking is difficult about five percent of the time, he said.
“I view this as a good problem from the viewpoint of the constituents,” he said.
He would also analyze businesses with parking spaces, he said.
“I believe that this group has the most issue, and rightfully so, with parking in the CVC,” he said. “However, I would again point to revenue as a determining factor for this group. If they were financially being harmed in some way then they would flee the business environment of the CVC and pursue business opportunities elsewhere that were more in keeping with their desires. I don’t see any business currently having this issue and there are ways to mitigate these situations.
Peg Roth said parking is a huge issue and problem.
“In the future, something has to be done,” Roth said. “If we have to build a parking structure, that would be a huge contruction issue for retailers.”
The proposal to expand village hall, up to $500,000, would take money that can go into parking, she said.
“eople do not feel it’s necessary and neither do I,” she said. “There are so many other areas to put money in.”
David Marsh did not provide a response.