Sandpoint commission reviews draft downtown parking plan, boat-launch fees and enforcement options

City staff and the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Commission spent the bulk of their Feb. 12 meeting discussing a draft parking management plan designed to shift demand from overcrowded off‑street lots to underused on‑street spaces, introduce resident and nonresident passes, and create a funding source for lot maintenance and future projects.

The plan, staff said, responds to a 2022 parking study showing 1,597 public stalls in the downtown study area (505 off‑street, 1,097 on‑street) and peak summer occupancy of 97% for off‑street stalls versus 51% for on‑street. “The primary purpose of the parking management plan is to solve a problem that we know exists with our parking facilities,” city staff member Jason Welker told commissioners. He added that the proposal’s secondary objective is to “provide a funding mechanism for the ongoing maintenance and development of public off‑street parking facilities.”

Commissioners and members of the public pressed staff for specifics on revenue projections, enforcement costs, how Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant terms would affect fees at City Beach and Dock Street, and how paid parking would affect local families, small businesses and boat‑slip holders. Several public speakers and business owners supported charging for premium lots if the structure protects residents and funds maintenance; others warned about access barriers and the need for clear signage and exemptions.

The plan and proposed fee structure

Staff proposed tiered annual and daily passes that favor Sandpoint residents. The draft would increase the resident annual pass price slightly while expanding the free‑time benefit (example in the draft: resident annual pass up by $5 and offering 3 hours at the downtown lot and 4 hours at City Beach). Staff said pass holders could spend a full day at the beach but pay only for hours beyond the included allotment. Staff also proposed higher daily maximums for City Beach and Dock Street — a maximum daily rate of $24 was cited as a deterrent for nonpass holders occupying premium beachfront stalls.

The commission discussed a higher downtown business pass after receiving direct feedback from local merchants. Staff said the business pass was raised from earlier proposals (examples mentioned: $200 → $250 → $480 per year) to align with what downtown employers or employees said they would reasonably pay for all‑day employee parking.

Why staff says Sandpoint needs paid parking

Welker and other staff framed paid parking as a tool to reduce circling and congestion near City Beach during summer peaks, reallocate vehicles to underused street stalls, and generate dedicated revenue for resurfacing and stormwater work. Staff noted Sandpoint property taxpayers currently carry routine maintenance costs for lots (staff cited roughly $300,000 per year in maintenance and replacement obligations) and an estimated $400,000 resurfacing need this year for the Third & Church city lot.

Boat launches, slip holders and county revenue

The draft includes potential boat‑launch fees. Staff and commenters noted that boat registration revenue typically goes to Bonner County and that the city currently lacks launch‑use counts; staff requested more data. Coeur d’Alene figures were cited as a comparison: roughly $100,000 in boat‑launch revenue and day rates of about $10–$12 for in‑state users, season passes of about $50–$100. Draft language would charge oversized vehicles or trailers at roughly double the hourly vehicle rate (e.g., vehicle+trailer = two spaces).

Legal and grant constraints

Speakers noted that LWCF grants cover portions of City Beach and Dock Street; staff uploaded LWCF guidance to the shared drive and recommended consulting State Parks on whether resident/nonresident tiers meet LWCF requirements. Staff described the LWCF constraint as applying where federal LWCF funds were accepted and cautioned that resident‑tier rules must be carefully defined to comply with grant terms.

Enforcement and technology

Staff outlined a license‑plate‑reader model for enforcement and access: pass holders would be pre‑registered by plate and allowed automated entry; nonregistered users would trigger timed billing and could pay at kiosks, by texting a code, or online. Staff said outsourcing enforcement (for example, Diamond Parking) can require a higher enforcement share of revenue — the Coeur d’Alene example used by staff estimated about 25% of parking revenue going to enforcement — and that license‑plate systems could reduce on‑the‑ground enforcement costs but carry vendor fees.

Public input and transit alternatives

Six members of the public spoke during the allotted comment period. Joshua Torres (local, Vibe Broadband) urged the commission to leverage existing fiber for payment or enforcement systems. Bob Bienks (resident and slip holder) asked whether the proposed $150 slip‑holder pass would apply equally to residents and nonresidents; staff replied slip‑holder pricing would be available to those who hold slips regardless of residence. Donna, executive director of Spotfest (transportation nonprofit), offered the group’s shuttle service as a seasonal alternative and asked to be included in planning for shuttles and parking‑related transit solutions.

Outstanding questions and next steps

Commissioners repeatedly asked for a cost‑benefit analysis that includes projected revenues and implementation/enforcement costs; staff acknowledged revenue estimates remain incomplete. Commissioners also asked for clearer signage, ADA considerations, bike parking improvements and a plan to address overnight parking and hotel guest demand. Several speakers asked for a hardship or scholarship mechanism for low‑income residents.

Welker asked commissioners to submit notes compiled during the meeting so staff can summarize feedback for the next review. Commissioners discussed but did not vote on the parking plan; several participants said the plan could move to a later council review in March or April after staff refines revenue estimates and legal review.

Ending

The commission closed the agenda after public comments and a later housekeeping vote to change meeting start time. Staff said they will upload the compiled comments and LWCF guidance and continue outreach to Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls parks staff about lessons learned from paid parking programs.