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Council declines extra 15-minute parking spot request for downtown retailer
Summary
Business owner Craig Steinke asked the council for a second 15-minute parking spot at the southwest corner of 5th and Main to help customers load large purchases; after council debate about precedent and business notification the motion to add a spot failed on roll call.
Mitchell — The Mitchell City Council considered and rejected a request to add a 15-minute parking spot to benefit a downtown retailer.
Craig Steinke, owner of Craig Ryan's, told the council that short-term spaces would help customers who need to load large items, citing occasions when customers could not find convenient parking. "When there's no parking available, it makes it harder for customers ... to buy the product," Steinke said.
Council members expressed concern that granting one business a dedicated short-term spot could create a precedent prompting many similar requests along Main Street, which could change the character of downtown parking. One councilor noted the city’s practice does not include notifying adjacent businesses automatically when a single shop requests a time-limited space.
A motion to approve a single additional 15-minute space was moved and seconded, put to a roll-call vote and failed. The transcript records council members voting against the motion and the presiding officer recording "Motion fails." No change to the parking regulations was adopted.
Council members suggested alternatives such as limiting short-term spaces to clearly defined handicap signed spots or asking businesses to explore shared loading zones where feasible.
