The parking woes that can sometimes plague Pinedale should be getting some much needed relief soon, after the town council voted to approve the acquisition of a new parcel of land intended for a public parking lot.

At the meeting Monday night, members of the council unanimously voted to approve Resolution 2009-13, which approves financing that would add 0.29 acres to town property at the southwest corner of Maybell and Magnolia St.

“This has been a project we’ve been involved with to provide some parking for the town,” said councilman Dave Hohl.

During Pinedale’s Planning and Zoning Commission workshop last Monday, much of the discussion centered around the parking requirements of current town ordinances, which many felt were too stringent.

“In the site plan workshop, there was a lot of public comment brought up about having public parking downtown, since a lot of the places can’t provide on-street parking,” said planning and zoning administrator Kate Grimes.

Some residents pointed out that for businesses along Pine Street, the town’s parking requirements are very difficult to execute, since much of the area relies upon on-street parking and space is extremely limited.

Hohl was present at that meeting and verified that the town was looking into the issue, hoping to help alleviate the problem.

The town council confirmed his statement on Monday night when it passed the “resolution authorizing the execution of a contract with the trustees of the Harber family trust,” said Hohl in his motion to approve.

It also confirmed why the council has included “property acquisition” to the list of reasons for the executive sessions it has held at every meeting since early May.

The resolution’s approval on Monday night means that the town has agreed to enter into contract with the seller and pay $212,500 for the lot, which reflects the appraisal of the property.

“I think the asking price was $250,000,” said Mayor Stephen Smith. “And the appraised value came in at $212,000. So that was our offer, and the sellers agreed.”

The contractual agreement between the town and seller should be executed in mid-July.

“(The town) hasn’t discussed a timeline for actually constructing anything,” said Grimes. “Once we purchase the property, we’ll probably talk about it.”

The parcel of land, located behind Stockman’s Restaurant and Lounge, is centrally located and will provide parking for the public. The town also hopes it will facilitate foot traffic along the businesses in the downtown area, and ease the congestion that can occur along Pine Street.

At 0.29 acres, the lot should provide dozens of spaces.

“Depending on the size of parking spaces and the layout, it would provide 30 to 40 parking spaces,” said Grimes.

Also:

— The motion to approve a request for an amendment to a commercial building permit was lost after no one else on the council wanted to second the motion made by councilman Chris House.

Along with an awning of six to eight feet, the amendment would add a handicap ramp and a set of stairs that would encroach on the town right-of-way at the proposed property, located at the corner of Franklin and Magnolia Streets.

“I like it,” said House. “If we’re going to encroach with the awning, I don’t see it as a problem.”

Councilwoman Nylla Kunard felt it should go back before the planning and zoning commission for review.

“I’m just not for the encroachment,” added Hohl. “To me, the stairs and ramp are permanent facilities.”

— Ordinance 448, the annual appropriation ordinance for the town of Pinedale, passed its third and final reading and was approved by the council. The $46 million budget applies to the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

— In addition to the $330 in fines she imposed, Judge Ruth Neely also reported that she is requiring Ridley’s Market to either build a fence on the east side of the property, where items are currently stored. Or the business must cease storing items outside the building.

— Pinedale public works has installed new benches in all the town parks.

They are waiting on asphalt to begin refilling potholes in town. The rain has prevented a quality fix thus far.

— All town employees will get a six-percent, cost-of-living raise for the fiscal year starting on July 1. The planning and zoning administrator and the mayor’s assistant were given a $10,000 raise to their salary.

— The council went into executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel salaries.

For the complete article see the 06-26-2009 issue.

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