Commission allows parking in West 16th Street right-of-way for new building, with conditions

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 9 approved an appeal by a property developer to allow automobile parking in a city‑owned right‑of‑way on West 16th Street NE of Jefferson Street to serve a proposed commercial/industrial building.
Staff presentation reviewed a six‑point parking policy applied to right‑of‑way parking requests and concluded the proposal met the policy: the street is a short, low‑traffic local street; sufficient right‑of‑way exists for parking designs and pedestrian movement; the request supports infill development; the area is properly surfaced and can be graded and drained; and the request is compatible with nearby designs. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions in the staff report, including that the parking area be graded, drained and hard‑surfaced per section 10‑25‑2(d) of the zoning ordinance and meet the city engineer’s specifications, that the parking not block sidewalks or the street system, and that parking not interfere with overhead power lines.
Commissioners discussed whether a sidewalk should be required. Staff explained the Complete Streets Advisory Committee initially recommended a sidewalk but, after reviewing the narrower right‑of‑way (about 65 feet) and the site plan showing some stalls would extend into private property, the sidewalk condition was removed because it would prevent the 90‑degree stalls and substantially reduce parking. Staff noted there is existing sidewalk on Jefferson Street but none on the subject block of West 16th.
Nick Brewer, representing the applicant, thanked the commission and offered to answer questions; the applicant confirmed the parking surface would be hard surface, likely concrete. Commissioner Schoberg moved to approve the appeal with the three listed conditions; Commissioner Ewing seconded and the motion carried.
Discussion vs. decision: commissioners debated sidewalk feasibility and utility conflicts; the formal decision approved the appeal with conditions requiring hard surfacing, drainage and noninterference with overhead utilities.
Ending: Staff will require the applicant to construct the parking area to city specifications and coordinate any necessary adjustments with utility providers before permits are issued.