An Update to the 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies Document Presented by the Parking Solutions Group – Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association Index
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 History ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 Identified Parking Issues ............................................................................................................................... 3 Parking Infrastructure Fund .......................................................................................................................... 3 New Technology .................................................................................................................................... 3 Meter Rate Increases ............................................................................................................................ 4 Parking Demand Management Zones .................................................................................................. 4 Enforcement & Management ............................................................................................................... 4 Review Fine Rates ................................................................................................................................. 4 Express Stalls ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Enforcement & Management ............................................................................................................... 5 Education & “Parketing” ....................................................................................................................... 5 Long Term Parking ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Recommended Remedies ......................................................................................................................... 6 Expression of Interest ............................................................................................................................ 6 Parking Management Authority ........................................................................................................... 6 Off Street Parking Inventory ................................................................................................................. 6 Long Term Strategies ............................................................................................................................ 7 Observations and Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 8 Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Process Participants .................................................................................................................................. 8 The complete and original Parking Strategies Report still stands as correct, this revised report contains updates and additional details to some recommendations within the original report. Updated Recommendations marked with a 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 1 Introduction
This document is an update to the previous recommendations put forth to Kamloops City Council by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association’s Business Development Committee’s Parking Solutions Group (“PSG”). The PSG is comprised of a group of Downtown Kamloops stakeholders and this document explores possible parking solutions for Downtown Kamloops. History
Downtown business people have invested heavily in our beautiful city centre. Through property tax levies, current and past owners and tenants have built and paid for the current two parkades, drove the design and development and paid for the Victoria Street streetscape improvements and paid years of levies for the Interior Savings Centre coliseum. The City of Kamloops has long promoted Downtown Kamloops revitalization. Downtown property owners currently carry a large portion of the tax burden, having the highest taxes per square foot in the city, especially since the 2009/2010 tax assessment increases. They accept the added tax burden as long as a return on investment is realized. However, with high levels of vacant space in the downtown core, property values are decreasing and that will eventually shift City tax revenue away from downtown. We must avoid the downward spiral that comes with high vacancy as this would be bad for the entire city. Because a significant part of the issue relates to the fact that Downtown Kamloops requires parking, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association through its Business Development Committee put together a Parking Solutions Group in November 2011 – a group of stakeholders who took it upon themselves to look at the issues and come up with solutions to the problems. This group includes a wide variety of business owners, property owners, property managers, developers and city representation. The group began to meet together as a large unit and identified the issues they believed to be contributing to the parking crunch. From there they divided the issues in two: short term and long term. The group then divided into the two different subgroups with the main goal of further studying their issues. Members then identified several possible solution options. After identifying their proposed solutions, the groups then came together, presented their findings to the KCBIA’s Business Development Committee and Board of Directors. The KCBIA facilitated a public involvement process on May 16, 2012 to provide Downtown property owners and businesses information about possible parking solutions to make sure they understood the Downtown community’s preferences before presenting the chosen recommendations on remedies and funding sources to the City of Kamloops and Council. As you, Kamloops City Council is aware, the Parking Solutions Group Report was sent to a Council Workshop in August of 2012 in which its merits and feasibilities were discussed. It is out of that meeting and its results that the Parking Solutions Group based its October 24, 2012 Downtown Parking Update Open House on. From there, the Parking Solutions Group has met to discuss these results, answer questions and provide and update on recommendations To recap – our current urgencies are to provide and manage parking in a way that: 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 2 •
•
Will fill vacant spaces with businesses who support our city through taxes, and whose workers will become customers for our downtown businesses. Will ensure a positive consumer experience in our city centre with adequate parking and customer service oriented enforcement. IdentifiedParkingIssues
Shortage of employee parking, waitlist for off street parking, recent loss of 200+ permanent spots, no parking requirements for commercial developments, on street parking abuse, metered parking management, parking rates, fine structure, repeat metering, customer complaints on enforcement, no consistency in price/cost on/off street, no locational restrictions on event passes, lack of awareness and education, public perception of lack of parking and parking layout. ParkingInfrastructureFund
Implementation of a master parking strategy and plan will require funding and investments in parking should be guided by the potential return of benefit and value to the City and downtown properties and businesses. Some ways to secure funding may include: •
•
•
•
Develop revenue streams and pool all parking related revenues in a parking fund – net revenues from meters, parkades and fines, cash‐in‐lieu of parking levies, private parking permit fees and taxes private parking permit and license fees. Invest strategically in parking solutions – new parking, alternative transportation, demand management, education, information, pedestrian/streetscape improvements. Establish a downtown land‐bank and use land to leverage investment and innovation towards parking solutions The increase in parking meter rates RecommendedSolutionsforImmediateImplementation NewTechnology
New technology is the key to successful on‐street parking management. In its absence, a whole selection of other solutions and strategies would be needed to come close to having the same impact. Original Recommendation: Research and install new technology that can properly manage Downtown Kamloops on‐street parking. Rationale: There are many interesting and creative ways of managing and extending capabilities of our current parking system as well as entire new parking systems. Installing new technology that can help assist with a variety of current Downtown parking issues including demand, payments, enforcement and management is essential to a healthy parking environment. We strongly recommend the installation of technology that can help us meet all of our needs. Updated Recommendation(s): ‐ Source and install electronic parking technology which tracks via license plate and accepts payment electronically or via coin. This provides the best customer service option. ‐ Have a validation program in place with new kiosks; Businesses can pay for customers parking and approved businesses could validate for a longer time period (up to 4 hours), could validate it via an online system and get a receipt for business & tax purposes. 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 3 MeterRateIncreases Recommendation: Increase meter rates Rationale: As it stands there is no benefit for employees and visitors to the Downtown to park in off‐
street lots. Parking is cheaper on the street than it is elsewhere and a regular violation ticket is also cheaper than buying a day of parking off street. This will help create healthy turnover in stalls and higher percentage of vacant space available. Meter rates have not increased since June 27, 1994. Updated Recommendation: Options: (a) Adopt Parking Demand Management Zones with an increase to $1.50 per hour in high demand areas and $1.00 per hour in lower demand areas (Victoria Street core) (b) Raise rates $1.00 per hour across the board, monitor usage statistics (as soon as new kiosks are installed) and review findings and rates in 1 year. ***KCBIA Recommends Option B*** ParkingDemandManagementZones
Recommendation: Create Parking Demand Management Zones Rationale: We need to separate the Downtown into different parking zones based on parking usage. Simple supply and demand economics. Higher demand area will cost more per hour, lower demand will cost less and have longer time limits. Restriction of permit and special event passes from high demand zones. There is potential to pilot a change to parking time limits in lower demand zones to 3 hours instead of 2 hours. Updated Recommendation: Options: (a) Adopt Parking Demand Management Zones with an increase to $1.50 per hour in high demand areas and $1.00 per hour in lower demand areas (Victoria Street core) (b) Delay creation of Parking Demand Management Zones until a review of rates is done after 1 year. However in the meantime we still have to address the need for consumers to purchase additional time. With new technology, parkers could buy a third hour at a premium ($2.00) as well as have their parking validated. (Refer to Validation Program description under New Technology) ***KCBIA Recommends Option B*** Enforcement&Management
Recommendation: Use current technology to track repeat offenders Rationale: We need to balance Customer Service with Enforcement. We can boldly determine that the vast majority of our parking offenders are Downtown employees. We need to be able to pick out the repeat offenders and abusers of on‐street parking. The public as a whole are suffering for the sins of a few. Downtown customers who are staying longer than 2 hours are receiving a $40 fine now which was meant for the chronic abusers. One possibility is for meter reader staff to have a list of chronic abusers and have no fine discounts available for them. Updated Recommendation: Have monitoring and data mining from new technology done over the year to look at usage patterns and abuse & complaint issues. This will help to guide future changes and ensure efficient management. ReviewFineRates
Recommendation: $5 reduced fine needs to be higher Rationale: As it stands now, the 24 hour discounted fine of $5 costs less than parking in an off‐street lot for the day. Many parkers are parking with the presumption they will receive and pay the fine for the convenience of parking on the street. It is this scenario that we are trying to avoid. Parking fines need to be a deterrent, not a cheap alternative to monthly parking. Revenue is to go into the Parking 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 4 Infrastructure Fund. Customer service aspect of reduced fine if paid same day is good however we suggest a reasonable increase. Updated Recommendation: This should be implemented at the same time as new technology is introduced. ExpressStalls
Recommendation: Place two (2) express stalls on each of the 200 block and 300 block of Victoria Street on opposite sides before the mid‐block bump. These express stalls would have a 30 minute time limit. Rationale: Certain businesses in busier areas of Victoria Street could benefit from convenient express stalls. For example, people looking to drop off a suit for tailoring, pick up their dessert order or run to the bank machine may take advantage of designated express stalls which would see higher turnover. Even if these stalls are enforced on the same schedule as the regular stalls, the perception of quick enforcement and set time limit should see drivers follow the rules. Enforcement&Management
Recommendation: Coordinated Management between parking authorities Rationale: A lack of coordination means an uneven playing field. It is in everyone’s best interest to work together to establish open communication between public and private parking service providers. Opening lines of communication will enable better awareness of market demands and to facilitate a balanced approach between public and private interests. The goal is to have monthly parkers off the street and into off‐street lots. Recommendation: Review Parking Layout Rationale: We could increase the quantity of parking stalls by reviewing curb cuts and parking layout. Recommendation: Enforcement with a customer focus Rationale: To be effective, the entire enforcement process must be perceived as efficient, considerate and fair. The need for fines and punishments should be minimized by providing adequate user information and options. There are many reasons motorists sometimes violate parking regulations. Lack of awareness, lack of proper monetary amounts (i.e. coins) or because of unforeseen delay. Good enforcement is important anywhere parking is regulated or priced. Some of the actions we can take to create a positive parking enforcement situation include: • Have clear rules and guidelines and be sure they are visibly posted • Provide first time violators with parking information and a ‘First Time Free’ pass instead of a citation. This allows unaware motorists to be educated and will help create goodwill. • Provide maps and brochures about local parking options • Develop a progressive enforcement policy that starts with education and warnings, and then applies fines • Have enforcement individuals strive to be perceived as helpful community ambassadors Education&“Parketing”
Recommendation: Parking Education, Awareness, Habits & Preferences Survey Rationale: A TRU/Downtown Kamloops joint project, the Kamloops Downtown Employee Parking Needs Assessment and Recommendations project would see TRU students survey businesses to determine the present parking trends and needs (how they travel to work, where they park, their knowledge or interest in alternate transportation/parking options). They will also take this opportunity to provide parking information, educating business owners on the reasons to park off‐street including the impact 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 5 on business when employees park in consumer spaces. The results would then help to develop a “parketing” plan and give us additional parking spots required and areas needed. Recommendation: Create parking marketing materials or “parketing” materials Rationale: Motorists can’t help but be oblivious if they are unaware of the rules or procedures when it comes to parking. When telling people where they cannot park, it is very important to also tell them where they CAN park. We have to counteract the current negative perceptions about lack of parking. Recommendation: Create a parking website Rationale: Having a central information hub where both business owners, employees and customers can get an up to date look at available parking, parking restrictions and other information would be extremely helpful. Recommendation: Develop Smart Phone application Rationale: Other cities have had luck with smart phone applications that alert users to available parking spots and other useful information. LongTermParking
RecommendedRemedies
ExpressionofInterest
Recommendation: Initiate an Expression of Interest to the City from developers, property owners and others to generate, encourage and bring forward existing and new options to add long‐term or permanent off‐street parking capacity that could be purchased or leased by the City. Rationale: This approach is anticipated to yield a number of options to provide parking in a manner that support and leverage the City’s intention to invest in parking development, yield higher site utilization, distribute parking throughout the downtown, generate additional value from investment, foster innovative solutions, and improve development economics. Updated Recommendation: In the short term, before we get new parking built, we should create a process to ensure empty lots are used for temporary parking. ParkingManagementAuthority
Recommendation: Establish an organization to manage permanent parking in the Downtown core possibly involving a revised role for the Downtown Parking Corporation. Rationale: A single organization with responsibility for supply, management, pricing and operation of downtown parking will support funding, development and allocation of sufficient parking capacity to meet needs and objectives consistent with a long‐term strategy. Updated Recommendation: DPC Role could be to contract with owner to upgrade and manage temporary lots. We want employees out of the on‐street parking so have to give them options. (i.e. temporary lots, transit, incentives to use Lorne Street lots that are further afield.) OffStreetParkingInventory
Recommendation: Have a current Inventory of non‐traditional off Street Parking Rationale: Non‐traditional parking sources would be unused and available parking from commercial or residential sources. An example is unused residential parking below Desert Gardens which is located in an area with a current parking crunch. An inventory of non‐traditional available parking spaces downtown that can be assigned and managed through a Downtown Parking Management system. This management system could potentially be a private parking manager and/or a less structured information source on websites like Craigslist or Kijiji or a similar type bulletin board. 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 6 LongTermStrategies
Parking is one component of a healthy and vital downtown and requires long‐range innovative strategies, commitment to implementation and regular attention to the multiple influences that affect “getting parking right”. The broad objectives for an effective parking plan include attracting development and business, accommodating employees and customers, encouraging intensive land‐use, promoting alternative transportation and innovative urban design, and realizing the potential for a vibrant Downtown Kamloops. The following strategies are recommended: Recommendation: Establish and apply urban design “best practices” to guide development in downtown Kamloops in a manner that recognizes the importance of parking to the overall quality and success of the downtown. Rationale: Successful urban design will consider parking as one building block rather than as a separate layer of downtown development and will respond to objectives such as: •
•
•
•
•
•
“Downtown first” for commercial development Intensify and optimize land utilization and value through development – mixed use, multi‐storey development with on‐site covered parking Performance‐based guidelines rather than prescriptive requirements with development bonuses for such additional parking and innovative alternatives Continuous retail commercial street frontage and streetscape aesthetics Use of lane access and lane bridging (air rights) to improve access for and efficiency of parking Parking structures and surface parking lots that promote public safety and comfort ‐ ie. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) Recommendation: Amend Zoning and Development bylaw requirements to ensure parking is provided with development. Rationale: Zoning and development requirements need to include provision of parking tied to proposed use to avoid adding to the parking deficit. • Encourage on‐site parking for commercial developments and require cash in lieu of on‐site or other dedicated off‐street parking at a rate that considers capital replacement cost, opportunity cost, impact, demand, value of alternatives, etc. • Require commercial space in mixed use facilities to be accountable for its own parking • Institute a no exemption (cash‐in‐lieu) provision for residential developments or use. • Requiring commercial or residential use on the bottom floor of a mixed use building Recommendation: Require or encourage parking strategies for major generators, employers and destinations. Rationale: RIH, government precinct, major entertainment and employment venues all require significant amounts of parking. These organizations should develop and implement strategies that are coordinated with related downtown strategies, to supply and fulfill their own parking demands. Recommendation: Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) Review Rationale: Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) can be used to influence parking. We would like to explore ways it can be used to influence the addition of parking. Examples could include extending the exemption to apply to parking in excess of development requirements developed and provided for public use. We also recommend changing the current RTE stipulation of rental residential to any use residential which would encourage more residential Downtown. 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 7 Recommendation: Promote and accommodate alternative modes of transportation within a parking strategy. Rationale: Providing reasonable and feasible options to use of single passenger automobiles for trips to and within the downtown will contribute to reduced demand for parking. Options could include: •
•
•
A downtown shuttle bus circulating among major destinations throughout the Downtown core, and the Northshore and TRU transit exchanges possibly in association with BC Transit. Convenient bus, cycle and pedestrian access and support facilities within downtown. Re‐think employee parking benefit and consider equivalent options: transit pass, lifestyle benefit (walk, live downtown), ride‐share, downtown corporate transit pass program (Pro‐Pass) ObservationsandConclusions
This is not an exhaustive parking plan; this is a package of potential solutions we as Downtown Kamloops stakeholders feel would help improve the parking situation in Downtown Kamloops. The next step is for the City of Kamloops to take these suggestions to the next level and work on implementing them in a Parking Strategy. What we need to be wary of is the creation of new problems which may or may not come out of any given singular solution, hence the need for a big picture Parking Management Strategy. A prime example of this is the Customer Service problems that the enhanced enforcement of the two hour time limit has created. This report is not the end of a project but a launch pad to put us on the path to realistic and positive solutions. We all need to work together to create more parking and to better manage what we have. The KCBIA is here to partner with the City of Kamloops to help move forward on our shared path to a better parking situation and an even more vibrant Downtown. Appendix
ProcessParticipants
Alberts, Brad – Integrated Urban Equities – Long Term Strategies Bradwell, Tony – Urban Systems – Long Term Strategies Fawcett, Jason – Kelson Group – Long Term Strategies Haley, Shawn – Erwin’s Bakery – Short Term Strategies Harding, Ian – Caffe Motivo – Short Term Strategies Karl, Christine – One on One Fitness & Massage – Short Term Strategies Murray, Mona – MCM Real Estate – Long Term Strategies Pietramala, Peter – Fratelli Foods – Short Term Strategies Pooler, Gay ‐ General Manager – Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association Singh, Arjun – Council Representative – Short Term Strategies Spina, Marg – Council Representative – Long Term Strategies Sulz, Dan – Venture Kamloops – Long Term Strategies Van Dongen, Casey – TriCity Contracting – Long Term Strategies Veale, Grant – Plainsman – Long Term Strategies Wetterstrand, Maria – Impark – Short Term Strategies Wilson, Jon – City of Kamloops Windsor, Brian – Short Term Strategies 2012 Downtown Kamloops Parking Strategies ‐ Parking Solutions Group – KCBIA 8