Receive Presentation from PACT Charter School and Future Parking and Expansion Needs As It Relates to Future Impacts to Existing Rights of Way

PACT Charter School has approached the City to discuss future facility and parking needs for their campus located at 7250 East Ramsey Pkwy NW.

PACT originally approached Staff with a concept to vacate Peridot St NW to convert to a private parking lot for additional private parking spaces. PACT would be open to conveying an easement to cover existing utilities under the roadway and to allow for public access through what would ultimately become a private parking lot.

Staff has been working with representatives from PACT to identify a means to solve for future parking needs such that there is not a need for vacating Peridot Street to convert to a private parking lot. While existing traffic levels are relatively low at times, Staff believes that Peridot Street and 145th Avenue provide important circulation for existing and future traffic needs and growth. While a future private parking lot may be encumbered by an easement for public access, a traditional motorist is not likely to make this distinction and choose not to make this traffic pattern. Staff's primary aim is to address the existing development plan for The COR, provide for a balance of on-street and off-street parking solutions, and provide multiple traffic alternatives that do not lead to the need to circulate traffic through residential neighborhoods or onto the County Highway system (Ramsey Boulevard).

In addition to future private residential, office, institutional, and retail growth in the area that will increase existing traffic levels, the Public Works Committee should also consider future growth and popularity of The Draw and its needs for on-street parking and traffic circulation.

Attached are traffic counts for Peridot Street between Sunwood Drive and East Ramsey Parkway, and for 145th Avenue west of Peridot Street, as recorded by the Public Works Department from May 27th to 29th, 2014.

Discussion is anticipated to last approximately 30 minutes.

The intent of this discussion to to introduce the topic which will provide important policy direction that will assist Staff in responding to this request moving forward and provide important direction to PACT as they begin to expend resources in design for future facility needs.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

Staff recommends that the Public Works Committee recommend that the City work with PACT Charter School to review potential modifications to Peridot Street and 145th Avenue that maximize on-street parking and limit the need to expand the existing private surface parking lot.

Motion to recommend that the City work with PACT Charter School to review potential modifications to Peridot Street and 145th Avenue that maximize on-street parking and limit the need to expand the existing private surface parking lot.