Commission supports short‑term parking agreement with St. Peter’s while weighing long‑term options for Belts Park

Staff presented a one‑year parking agreement negotiated with St. Peter’s Church that would pay the church $5,500 for use of about 30 parking stalls and include snow‑clearing along South Shore Drive.

Commissioners reviewed the background: during reconstruction of Belts Park staff had proposed either building a parking lot or relying on off‑site parking; the council previously approved the one‑year agreement after discussion. Commissioners debated whether the city should instead build a permanent parking lot at Belts Park. Staff noted an earlier project estimate of approximately $100,000 to construct the parking pad as part of the original site work, and several commissioners expressed concern about consuming parkland for a lot and about placement that could fragment green space.

Several commissioners said the one‑year agreement is acceptable for the near term but recommended more thorough discussion of long‑term parking strategy and consideration of alternate placements that avoid splitting park green space. One commissioner suggested a multi‑year contract to lock in pricing until a permanent parking solution is decided; others argued that if the city intends to build a parking lot the short‑term agreement is adequate while plans progress.

Next steps: staff will report the commission’s comments to council; the commission recommended continuing the short‑term agreement while directing more analysis on long‑term parking solutions for Belts Park.