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Falcon Heights council adopts commercial parking lot licensing ordinances
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved Ordinances 26-07 and 26-08 to create a commercial parking lot licensing program and update zoning to permit such lots year-round; a $35 application fee was agreed for this year.
The Falcon Heights City Council on July 8 unanimously approved two ordinances establishing a commercial parking lot licensing framework and updating zoning to permit commercial parking lots.
City Administrator Jack Linehan said the licensing effort responds to problems with third‑party State Fair parking operators, including blocked fire lanes, vehicles parked multiple rows deep, and a lack of an on‑site contact. Council Member Mielke identified the three currently selling lots—Stout’s, Cox, and Warners’ Stellian—and Linehan noted that the new Fairway Commons lot would not sell paid parking this year. Council Member Mogen moved approval of Ordinance 26‑07; the motion carried 5‑0.
The companion zoning amendment, Ordinance 26‑08, aligns Chapter 113 with the licensing framework after the Planning Commission removed an initial restriction limiting commercial lots to the two‑week State Fair period. The council endorsed a $35 application fee for the current year with the understanding administrative costs will be tracked and the fee revisited if needed. The ordinances were approved by roll call vote, 5‑0.
Council members and staff said the license is designed as a privilege requiring application rather than an automatic right and that the policy is intended to give the city better oversight of third‑party parking activity going forward. Staff will carry out the administrative steps to implement the licensing program.
