Grimm details parking plan

SANDPOINT - As proposed changes to Sandpoint's parking requirements move through city government, Planning Director Jeremy Grimm lead a Thursday morning discussion about what the changes could mean to area business owners and residents.

The presentation was part of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's monthly Power Breakfast series, which tackles hot-button issues facing area residents.

Grimm focused much of his presentation on deficiencies in the city's parking regulations. The current parking ordinance, which went into effect in 1979, requires businesses that have either changed usage or undergone significant alterations to maintain a certain amount of off-street parking spaces, depending on the size and function of the business. If adding parking space is unfeasible, businesses also have the option of paying an in-lieu fee of $10,000 per space.

At the request of Councilman John Reuter, Grimm recently began preparing a proposal to do away with downtown parking restrictions, which both Grimm and Reuter say will benefit business owners and create a more energetic, dynamic downtown.

Among the numerous problems with the current code, Grimm said it does not give an accurate portrayal of the number of parking spaces individual businesses need. The number of spaces a business is required to supply is based on its maximum occupancy during the busiest day of the year, which Grimm said forces business owners to create far more parking than is actually needed.

Adding to the problem, Grimm said the requirements are often counterintuitive and confusing for business owners.

"Tell me why an administrator's office needs more parking than an art gallery?" Grimm said.

Although doing away with restrictions will undoubtedly mean less parking spaces, Grimm cited results from a recent parking study that showed, to the surprise of many, that Sandpoint has more than enough parking to meet demand.

The new plan will focus on a market-driven approach to parking and will let business owners decide how many parking spaces they need. Without restrictions, Grimm hopes more businesses will move downtown and current business owners will have the flexibility to add on or make changes to their businesses.

A public hearing on the plan will go before the Sandpoint Planning Commission on Oct. 21 before moving on to the full council.