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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-122 - Draft Goals of the Long Term Parking Strategye ~4 ~.~~ _ ~~~t~_~ REPORT Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee Date of Meeting: August 11, 2008 Submitted By: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development Rob Browning, General Manager, DTS Prepared By: Cory Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor Ward(s~ Involved: All Date of Report: August 5, 2008 Report No.: DTS-08-122 Subject: Draft Goals of the Long Term Parking Strategy RECOMMENDATION: That the following `draft' goals of the Long Term Parking Strategy be tabled for Council's discussion, prior to commencement of the detailed analysis of the Long Term Parking Strategy and Parking Enterprise Business Case: Supply 1. To continue in the parking business to ensure supply; 2. To have a downtown parking inventory (public and private} sufficient to accommodate business demand; 3. To have all new major developments provide on-site parking in structures. Consideration will be given to cash-in-lieu for parking in publicly owned structures; 4. To have long-term parking spaces provided in structures, utilizing available on-street spaces for short-term parking users; Operations 1. To operate parking as an enterprise providing a return on investment; 2. To maximize the use of City parking resources; 3. To account for parking subsidies within the City's budgets; 4. To offer parking structures which are well maintained, safe and accessible; 5. To provide customers with the most current and automated payment methods available; 6. To explore opportunities for providing `parking availability' services such as directional supply signage, GPS-based services, etc.}; Design of New Structures 1. To build multi-use parking facilities, where feasible, which integrate commercial, office and/or residential uses; 2. To build only high quality, well-designed exterior facades, which meet the intent of the City's downtown design policies and contribute aesthetically to the urban streetscape; Environment 1. To support Transportation Demand Management initiatives as a means of stabilizing or decreasing parking demands; 2. To provide facilities that accommodate for changing transportation modes and vehicle types; Redevelopment 1. To redevelop surface parking lots with viable reurbanization projects as demand allows; and, 2. To develop a methodology to adjust the annual dividend paid by the Parking operation to the City when a surface lot is removed from the parking inventory for redevelopment. REPORT: The City is currently developing short term and long term parking strategies for Downtown Kitchener. The long term strategy will try to understand the expected parking demands to 2031, to help guide municipal decision making. To guide the analysis, a series of draft long term parking goals were developed (see the recommendation). These were developed based on an in-depth policy scan of applicable plans, programs and policies that influence long term parking decisions (see appendix 1). Prior to commencing with the detailed analysis, staff believe it's prudent to discuss the draft goals of the long term strategy with Council. The goals are arranged in five categories, including Supply, Operations, Design of New Structures, Environment and Redevelopment. It is important to note that these goals are to be considered draft only, as they may require modification in the final strategy, based on Council's input and the findings of the detailed analysis. The final strategy will also recommend the methods for implementing these goals. For example, it may be deemed appropriate for these goals to be adopted as Council policies, official plan policies, etc. BACKGROUND: The long term parking strategy is being developed by a team of City staff including representation from DTS-Transportation Planning, DTS-Parking Operations, Economic Development and Finance. The process for developing the strategy is as follows: policy scan and draft goal development (complete mid-August, see attached appendix}; detailed analysis (complete late September); public consultation with DAC, EDAC and KDBA (October); and, final strategy/business case and consideration by DTS/Council (November). FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There will be future impacts in terms of the capital cost of building new parking facilities with specialized facilities and urban design components. COMMUNICATIONS: In addition to discussions in October with advisory committees, staff will be meeting regularly with the Executive Director of the KDBA throughout the process. CONCLUSION: The draft goals will help guide the detailed analysis of the long term parking strategy, and as such, it is important to receive input from Council. Cory Bluhm MCIP RPP Urban Investment Advisor John McBride Director of Transportation Planning AttarhmAntc~ Rod Regier Executive Director Rob Browning General Manager of DTS Appendix -Long Term Downtown Parking Strategy Policy Scan Appendix - Lonq Term Downtown Parking Strategv Policv Scan The goals and actions of along-term parking strategy are informed by the various layers of policies, strategies and plans currently in place. Each of the items listed below relates directly or indirectly to the manner in which downtown parking should be provided for, and the environmental, economical and design considerations that should be considered: Places 2 Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Province of Ontario The Growth Plan provides a framework for building stronger, prosperous communities by better managing growth to 2031. It is intended to guide municipal planning and infrastructure decisions related to land development and the movement of people and goods. Potential implications for the Downtown Parking Strategy include: ^ A significant portion of new growth shall be directed to Downtown Kitchener, at targeted densities of 200 residents and jobs combined per hectare; ^ Downtown Kitchener will be planned presidential and employment densities} to accommodate and support major transit infrastructure; ^ Municipalities will promote economic development and competitiveness by ensuring the necessary infrastructure to support forecasted employment needs; and, ^ Population and employment growth will be accommodated through reduced dependence on the automobile and the development of mixed-use, transit supportive, pedestrian-friendly environments. This plan would suggests that parking needs to be provided to accommodate future Downtown density, but that a portion of that demand should be accommodated through greater use of alternative modes of transportation (particularly higher order transit). Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS) Region of Waterloo The RGMS provides high level direction on the future growth of Waterloo Region. Downtown Kitchener is identified as being part of a Primary Reurbanization Area/Central Transit Corridor, where urban intensification will be planned for. Such intensification should occur with respect for the following goals: 1. Enhancing our Natural Environment 2. Building Vibrant Urban Places 3. Providing Greater Transportation Choice 4. Protecting our Countryside 5. Fostering a Strong Economy Providing greater transportation choice suggests shifting away from an automobile dominated society to a balanced system. This could be achieved through improved transit service, integration of various transportation modes cycling, walking, etc.) and creating more pedestrian friendly environments. Rapid Transit in Waterloo Region Region of Waterloo The Region of Waterloo is currently conducting an Environmental Assessment on the development of a rapid transit corridor to connect Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge with a higher speed, commuter type service. The corridor through Downtown Kitchener, while not yet finalized, is expected to follow King St to Victoria St and then divert to either Charles St or Duke St in an eastbound direction before continuing on towards Fairview Mall. At this time, both light rail transit and bus rapid transit are being considered as part of the EA process, however, both the technology and routes are expected to be finalized by the fall of 2008. Stations are anticipated in the King & Victoria, Transit Terminal and Market areas. One of the benefits of rapid transit and station development is the increased density that typically locates adjacent to them for easy access. Any new development should be providing sufficient parking to meet their own needs. However, one of the longer term options is to consolidate or develop a true multi modal station in the King & Victoria area that will include rapid transit, GRT, VIA rail and potentially GO Transit. The development of this type of station would require some parking, probably structured, and would be a standalone development, likely used for transit users only. While the development of a rapid transit corridor will provide commuting options for many motorists, the increased employment and residential development and density that will occur in the core, will continue to place pressure on existing parking facilities and contribute to an increased demand for new parking facilities. Municipal Plan & Downtown Design Policies Cify of Kitchener The Municipal Plan sets out the direction for future planning decision making of the City, as it relates to land use planning and development. Transportation policies within this plan recommend that within the Downtown, an emphasis be placed on providing short-term parking while acknowledging the need for minimal all day parking facilities. Parking facilities should be designed to be safe for motorists and pedestrians and should result in an aesthetically acceptable appearance that blends in with the surrounding environment. Also included in this plan are policies specific to the design of new buildings downtown. Within the City Centre District, unlimited building heights are permitted to encourage high density infill development. Objectives of these policies are to promote lively street edges (with commercial uses at ground levels) and high quality urban design of new buildings and structures. To accommodate vehicles, new parking structures (underground and above grade) are encouraged, while surface parking lots are discouraged. Plan for a Healthy Kitchener Cify of Kitchener Intended to guide all municipal decisions until 2027, Kitchener healthy community plan encompasses six areas of focus, which include: ^ Development -carefully planning growth to attract the right type of growth, even if it means restricting some new developments; ^ Dynamic Downtown -continuing to focus on cluster development and urban vitality as a solid approach to economic health; and, ^ Environment -shows leadership in the development of an environmentally sustainable community, and develops a Transportation Demand Management Strategy as an umbrella for environmentally friendly transportation policies. Downtown Strategic Plan Cify of Kitchener The Implementation Plan (Vol. III) is an action oriented document approved in late 2004. The action plans are rapidly being implemented with an emphasis on creating economic success in a sustainable community. Catalyst investments in post secondary campus locations have already stimulated an optimistic investment environment in a vibrant and authentic urban environment. The plan for parking was to have accessible spaces that do not intrude on the urban character, favouring structured or underground parking alternatives. New residential developments and lower commercial vacancy rates have created accelerated demands for current and future parking. As a precursor to the strategic plan, the "Mayor's Task Force" recommended 2 hours free on street parking, still implemented in the downtown area. The following specific action was initiated in 2005 -review and revise the 2001 Downtown Parking Study to ensure up to date parking data, demand and supply indicators, and future parking needs for downtown. In 2007, The Downtown Advisory Committee suggested Duke Street, from Francis to Cedar, could provide increased on-street parking opportunities. TDM Program Cify of Kitchener The City of Kitchener, like many municipalities, recognizes that growth can not continue unabated. This not only applies to the development of new residential subdivisions, but also to the supporting infrastructure of roads, parking facilities, and the associated impact on the environment. While the single occupant vehicle has been the norm, changes must be implemented that promote sustainable modes of transport. Numerous initiatives need to be developed, some of which will have incentives and disincentives, to encourage the community to modify their travel choices. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a wide range of policies, programs, services and products that influence how, when, where and why people and goods are moved. In recognition of the benefits to the Corporation as well as the community, a consultant has been hired to assist in the development of a complete TDM program that will provide the basis for the City of Kitchener to positively influence travel mode choices, initially to and from the Downtown, but eventually city wide. The TDM study with specific steps, recommendations and implementation guidelines to form a comprehensive TDM strategy including an operational program should be completed by the Fall of 2008, with implementation to commence by the end of 2008. One of the benefits of a TDM program is the potential to require fewer parking spaces or the deferal of building additional parking spaces. However, TDM programs involve a long term paradigm shift in attitudes towards travel choices and significant immediate results are unlikely without extreme economic motivators, such as the rising cost of fuel. 2007 Downtown Parking Usage Study Cify of Kitchener Every second year, a snapshot is taken of parking usage in the Downtown. The intent is to capture occupancy, duration and turnover data and analyse trends from previous surveys. The 2007 data indicated a continuing increase in occupancy at both on street and off street parking spaces. The free on street spaces are averaging a peak occupancy of 95% while the off street spaces (excluding the garages} is averaging 77% occupancy even while increasing the number of available spaces by 7% over 2005. Peak garage usage was running at about 83%, however the Duke & Ontario St structure was under repair at the time. What these average figures don't reflect is the fact that the prime parking facilities in the core are running at an even higher occupancy and it is the more remote lots that are bringing the average down, some of which could be lost to redevelopment. 2005 Parking Study Cify of Kitchener The 2005 Feasibility Study for the Development of Short and Long Term Parking Solutions for Downtown Kitchener, completed by Marshall Macklin Monaghan, assessed both the short and long term parking demands for Downtown Kitchener and alternative ways of addressing those parking needs in support of growth and other initiatives, including a rapid transit corridor. This study recognized the immediate need for the construction of additional parking structures in the Downtown and recommended a structure at Charles & Water Sts as well as part of the Centre Block development. It acknowledged that parking was integral to the health of the Downtown and is necessary to support existing as well as future developments in the core. Capital Investment Philosophy Cify of Kitchener The City's capital investment philosophy ensures that any increases in debt charges from one year to the next do not exceed assessment growth. As well, the overall contribution from the tax base through taxes and debt charges will not increase more than assessment growth plus inflation from one year to the next. This philosophy has ensured that the impact on the taxpayer does not exceed inflation and that the City must prioritize projects to fit the funding available. However, there is one exception. The City's capital investment philosophy provides for debt financing for projects which have a business plan showing revenues generated over a reasonable "pay back period" covering the capital cost and interest of the project. This philosophy results in a capital project selection process within which projects must compete for funding based on the strength of their business cases and their alignment with the City's strategic directions. As such, any investments in new parking facilities would likely have to demonstrate a reasonable pay back period and out-compete other projects for funding approval. Air Quality in 2006 Environment Committee, Cify of Kitchener A series of actions are recommended to improve the overall air quality in Kitchener, by reducing green house gas emissions, and helping to slow down the effects of climate change. Recommendations include: ^ Reducing emissions from automobiles by encouraging alternative modes of transportation; ^ Implementing the LEED rating system for new developments; ^ Incorporating clean air goals into long range transportation plans; and, ^ Supporting compact development. Our Future is Now: 2007-2010 Economic Development Strategy Cify of Kitchener Recently released, the City's economic strategy includes 12 priority items (aka: best bets for new initiatives). Included under the objective of building a dynamic downtown, is to initiate a plan to systematically attract private sector redevelopment of the City's strategic downtown properties and surface parking lots. The intent is to see these properties redeveloped with high density residential, office or mixed use developments, with high expectations for the quality of urban design and environmental standards.