Heritage Plaza owners offer joint downtown parking plan; council OKs easement pending attorney review

Pete Brown and co‑owner Valerie Rollins asked Milford City Council to consider a joint‑use parking arrangement for a lot behind their Heritage Plaza on Main Street, saying lack of parking discourages business investment and creates safety concerns for elderly pedestrians.

Brown described the parcel as roughly 75 by 150 feet (about 11,250 square feet) and said a single‑level lot could yield roughly two dozen to 30 spaces; he and Rollins offered to contribute funds they had planned to spend on private parking toward a joint project. "We would be willing to essentially yield the access for a joint venture without charging the city any money," Brown said. The council and staff discussed engineering, sprinkler and lighting needs and the constraints of Downtown Main Street, including railroad property on the east side and UDOT access limits.

Council members said they wanted the city engineering firm to provide a feasibility and cost estimate before the city committed to grant applications or funding. Staff agreed to work with the engineering firm and return with ballpark estimates and next steps.

Separately, Brown requested a five‑foot easement in the alley to run a power line and place electric meters on the rear of the building. Councilmember Les moved and Scott seconded a motion to authorize the mayor and city recorder to sign easement documents when prepared, provided the city attorney approves the final documents. The motion passed.

Council asked staff to present options for funding, engineering cost estimates and to report back to the council before any construction or binding agreements are signed.