Consider Off-Street Parking Options for Game Fair Area

Each year in August, Armstrong Kennels hosts a large event over two (2) weekends. The event is approved through a Conditional Use Permit approved by the City. The Subject Property that hosts the Game Fair only provides off-street parking for vendors of the event. Spectator parking has historically been provided through a combination of parking available at Central Park (with shuttle service provided by the Ramsey Lions) and adjacent residential units.

Since the event is only held over two (2) weekends throughout the year, Staff is in support of a temporary waiver of the City's off-street parking ordinance in regard to surfacing requirements. In this area, surfacing would normally need to be a minimum of Class V, ashphalt, or concrete. In addition, the City's off-street parking ordinance limits the number of items allowed to be stored outside. Staff has explored options to officially grant a temporary waiver to the geographic area surrounding the Game Fair during the event.

Although Staff does not receive a large number of complaints about the parking situation during the event, Staff does receive concern from time to time during enforcement of other off-street parking violations that the City does not fairly and equitably enforce the off-street parking ordinance during the Game Fair. In order to ensure that the Property Owners providing off-street parking for spectators are not in violation of the technical terms of the ordinance, Staff has begun to research options to provide for this exemption to remain with past practice, if the City Council chooses continue said arrangement.

Staff researched the City of Saint Paul, and how that city handles a similar situation surrounding the State Fair. Staff would recommend establishing an Overlay District that would allow for a temporary exemption from the City's standard off-street parking ordinance. The ordinance proposes to delineate an area that the ordinance would apply to. The ordinance proposes to reiterate Building Code requirements that parking cannot occur on time of a private septic system. For clarification, Staff would only recommend establishing the district to clarify the exemption, but would not recommend any additional permits or licenses at this time. A map depicting the proposed overlay district is attached for review.

Many other special events are reviewed as part of the Special Events Permit, and parking is handled on site, either through existing prepared surfaces or grassy area. The Special Events Permit can be expanded to adjacent properties as well. As the Game Fair is a larger event and does not have sufficient space of on-site, off-street parking due to the large success of the event, parking is being provided by a number of adjacent property owners. Rather than having each individual Property Owner apply for a Special Events Permit, or require that the Game Fair apply on behalf of all Property Owners, the overlay district concept simply providing for an exemption may be the most efficient means without creating additional requirements.

Since the proposed ordinance establishes an overlay district, the request will need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Staff has forwarded this case for initial review by the City Council. The overlay district would not be effective in time for this year's Game Fair; however, it would be Staff's intent to have the ordinance introduced prior to the event. Staff would look for consensus from the City Council to continue past procedures for this year's event until such time the ordinance became effective.

All costs associated with the case are being handled as part of regular Staff duties.

Based on discussion.