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TERRY HARTMAN PROPOSES BAYFRONT PROJECT

IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA; MULTI-USE BUILDINGS

ON THE NORTH SIDE OF STIEGER LAKE LANE

“The item before you is a concept plan,” stated City Planner Holly Kreft. “The applicant would be asking you for a conditional use permit and a minor subdivision to split off the western portion to give to the city. The applicants will provide a shared parking analysis. At this time no action is needed.”

The location is on the north side of Stieger Lake Lane on a long but narrow strip of land formerly used by C. H. Carpenter and their cold storage lumber building. Developer Terry Hartman of Victoria is proposing two three-story buildings with mixed use, a public plaza, eight parking stalls, and the sharing of 32 parking spaces in the city-owned 40-space parking lot across Stieger Lake Lane by Schmitty’s Tavern. Landscaping is proposed to include boulevard trees, sidewalk, and street lighting.

The “basement” level would have lookout windows to Stieger Lake. Street level would front on Stieger Lake Lane. First and second level space is being proposed for retail, studio, and office. There’s a possibility of condominiums on the top level.

Recognized the city’s shared parking ordinance, Planner Kreft stated, “Parking could be offset in the city lot by those who use it at night and those who use it during the day.”

Regarding the city’s shared parking ordinance, Councilmember Jim Paulsen said, “I think it’s a fatally flawed toxic document.”

Stated Mayor Mary Thun, “I don’t believe we can turn this concept down because we don’t like the parking ordinance. I think we ought to provide Terry Hartman with some guidance. I am uncomfortable right now with all the aspects of shared parking and considering this concept plan at the same time.” She suggested the possibility of tabling the issue to look further at the ordinance.

Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “I think it’s an awesome plan and another great amenity for our city. The shared parking concept fits. I think we should use it. I think we should move forward on the plan and also take a look at the shared parking ordinance.”

“That’s exactly what I said,” said Mayor Thun.

Agreed Councilmember Paulsen, “We’re all on the same page. We want something to happen.”

Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, “We keep saying we’re going to solve the parking issues and then another project comes along and we still haven’t solved it.”

Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “I think it’s a great project. It would improve the area dramatically. It could leverage other assets. We’re well served doing business with you [Terry Hartman]. We could probably learn more about shared parking by talking to other cities -- we don’t need to reinvent the wheel -- and get some hard knowledge. Plan B and Plan C are necessary in this environment.”

Terry Hartman responded to questions from the council. “Yes, we definitely did talk to all the neighbors [of the proposed project]. Craig [at Schmitty’s] admitted the parking lot sits empty most of the time. The Victoria House boys would be happy to have more businesses in town. We talked to the vacant lot to the our east and the also the LRT.”

Regarding the two city-owned parking lots, which are often referred to as Schmitty’s Parking Lot and the Victoria House Parking Lot, Terry Hartman said, “You built these two parking lots. The only thing we can do with our [Stieger Lake] property is what we’re doing. I appreciate the concern about parking and you should look at it every time a new development comes in. Maybe the [shared parking] ordinance has some flaws. Maybe it works. It’s not leaving the city all that bad.”

Councilmembers will be reviewing the city’s Shared Parking Ordinance. No council action was requested on the waterfront project at this time.

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