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Council deadlocks on Pizza Pub right‑of‑way parking agreement; measure fails for lack of approval
Summary
Council failed to approve a proposed parallel parking and maintenance agreement for Pizza Pub after a tie vote; the Economic Development Authority (EDA) previously tabled a request to fund half the work.
A proposed parallel parking and maintenance agreement to formalize parking adjacent to 8241 North Shore Trail — paid for and installed by the adjacent property owner (the Pizza Pub) — failed on a tie vote at the July 14 Forest Lake City Council meeting.
Staff explained the item grew from a code violation for gravel installed in the public right‑of‑way adjacent to the property and that the landowner requested permission to install improved parallel parking in the North Shore Trail right‑of‑way. Staff said the agreement would require construction to city standards and a right‑of‑way permit but would not obligate the city to pay for the work.
Council discussion touched on safety, enforcement, and precedent. One council member said they opposed parking in the right‑of‑way in principle: “I wasn't for this from the start ... I don't think there should be parking on a right of way,” Council Member Miller said.
The Economic Development Authority met earlier on the landowner’s request and tabled a decision on contributing funds, saying the EDA did not want to approve funding before the council formally approved the parking arrangement. On the council motion to approve the parking and maintenance agreement as written, the vote resulted in a tie and the motion failed for lack of approval.
Staff said the agreement would have created public parking in the right‑of‑way available to any users, though the most likely users would be customers of the nearby restaurants. Police enforcement of posted parallel‑parking signs would be required to ensure compliance.
The council did not adopt the agreement; the matter may return to the council if the landowner or staff pursue alternate arrangements or if the EDA revisits funding.
