The Auburn City Council on July 22 postponed a conditional-use decision on a proposed commercial event space at 1027 East Glen Avenue to its Aug. 19 meeting after council members said outstanding questions about parking and event capacity needed to be clarified.

The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval with a condition: any event that requires overflow parking must be covered by a shared-parking contract presented to staff. At the council meeting, Planning staff explained the mixed-use site includes residential, restaurant and event uses and that the combined ordinance-required parking for the three uses totaled 164 spaces; the applicant proposes 187 spaces on site.

Councilman Adams and other council members said they wanted clearer language and enforcement mechanics for the overflow-parking condition. Staff explained some existing downtown businesses have standing shared-parking agreements verified by inspections, and that under the zoning rules shared parking is limited to adjacent properties and to up to 20 percent of required spaces in this district.

Inspection and codes staff said the size and configuration of a particular event affects capacity; the inspection-services director told the council that, based on square footage and layout, an event space could range conceptually from about 200 to 400 people, though the applicant may intend a smaller capacity. Councilman Adams asked that staff work with the applicant on a clearer, enforceable condition rather than the Planning Commission's current broadly worded requirement.

At the council's request the item was continued to the council's Aug. 19 meeting so staff can return with clarified language, evidence of parking arrangements and any necessary adjustments to the condition. The public hearing will be held when the council takes the item up again.