All ideas are on the table when it comes to parking downtown, residents and officials said.
Business owners Robert and Peg Roth hosted a meeting of the Clarkston Retailers Group, Aug. 25, at the Clarkston Mills to discuss the issue with Mayor Joe Luginski.
“We want to get the opinions of as many business owners in the city as we can,” Luginski said. “We’re trying to get as ahead of it as we can.”
“With a one block business district, we have to be creative,” said Lorry Mahler, owner of apartments on Main Street. “If people can’t find parking, we’re going to lose business. It’s imperative we do something.”
Parking is an issue for the Mills because their two lots next to Depot Park are filled with downtown diners and shoppers, crowding out their clients and customers, Robert said.
Louise Kasl, owner of Kinetic Systems, said customers have passed her business by after seeing the parking lot full of restaurant diners.
“Some are angry at us for not defending our lot,” Kasl said.
A new restaurant at Main and Church streets will add to parking shortages, Robert said.
“The restaurant is looking to add a lot more seats,” he said. “We have two private parking lots that are being sucked up. There’s almost something going on every night. Tonight, the parking lot is full ? it’s not being used for our property, and we have intentions for our property.”
The restaurant, which will encompass 28 S. Main and 3 E. Church Street properties, will seat 135, with about 40 of those seasonal on rooftop and patio, said Erich Lines, Union Joints owner along with Curt Catallo.
Leanna Haan, owner of Picasso’s Grape Vine on Main Street, said the new restaurant will be a good thing.
“There’s a buzz in the city, that’s cool,” Haan said. “Young people like the fact it’s busy and full of activity.”
“I fully support all the development,” said Kevin Harrison, owner of KH Home. “I’d rather have parking problem than no development.”
However, parking rules must be enforced fairly, Harrison said.
“At some point, the previous owner (of 27 S. Main Street) paid for parking deferment. He paid for several spots,” he said. “It’s got to be fairly applied to everyone. If some business are not required to pay for parking spots, than no business should be required to pay for parking spots.”
“Everyone’s business seems be cranking up a little bit. That’s a good thing,” Robert said. “But we can’t just say add this one and this one, but not this one.”
City ordinances set a parking deferment zone in downtown. Businesses are required to provide parking, but if they’re in the zone, they can pay a fee instead.
The zone has not been enforced consistently, said City Council member Mike Sabol, who was in attendance along with Council member David Marsh.
“The city attorney will look at the zoning ordinance and decide whether we need a public hearing for parking deferment,” Sabol said.
A parking deferment public hearing would include the restaurant’s site plan as well as the site plan for Brightside Dental at 55 S. Main Street, which was approved for expansion earlier this year.
“It’s certainly fair to ask everybody based on the requirements of their businesses to put some skin in the game,” Luginski said.
But fees to businesses that are too high would also be a problem, Haan said.
“Rochester was imposing hefty fees that would drive out small businesses,” she said. “Then no one comes to shop because businesses are folding.”
Kevin McCort of Real Estate One on Main Street agreed adding 135 restaurant seats will place more strain on city parking.
“If your opinion is it’s not a problem, your opinion is going to change,” McCort said. “We can’t generate more real estate. We need more parking than we have. We have to go up.”
A parking ramp has been discussed before, Luginski said.
“There was some discussion about a parking garage off Buffalo ? that was more than 20 years ago,” the mayor said. “Obviously that’s not going to happen. It’s not a realistic option.”
Parking meters might help if handled properly, said Katie Bowman Coleman, owner of Bowman Chevrolet.
“A parking app? Make it modern, cool, and tasteful,” Bowman said.
Tickets issued for parking more than two hours in city lots and streets downtown don’t help, Peg said.
“If you get a parking ticket, you don’t want to come to Clarkston anymore,” she said.
Other ideas include a universal valet service, and a shuttle or other public transportation.
“I was approached by someone with an idea for an old-fashioned trolley,” Luginski said.
City Council approved joining the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan, which will provide a parking study of downtown.
City planners Carlisle/Wortman is also being tapped for a study, Luginski said.
The city should also conduct a survey of residents, perhaps with the Survey Monkey internet service, said Cara Catallo, chair of the Clarkston Historic District Commission.