Property owners and restaurant differ on 15-minute loading spot; committee finds proposal unnecessary

Staff brought a request to create 15-minute loading zones on Main Street near a restaurant and adjacent private lots. The property owner of the building next door opposed creating 15-minute public spaces because delivery drivers and short-term use already intruded into private parking areas, but staff noted other nearby private lots are often underused.

Anne Krieg described the request and said the space in question experiences frequent in-and-out stops that affect traffic flow. Owners of an adjacent private lot said the lot is largely empty and that removing a street parking place is undesirable when overall parking supply is tight. One committee member noted the nearby building is for lease and activity levels have decreased, reducing the case for removing a public curbside space.

Staff proposed a countermeasure of converting one curbside spot to a 15-minute loading space rather than several. Committee members generally opposed the change, calling it unnecessary given private lot availability and downtown parking constraints. No formal vote was taken; staff will continue to monitor the location and consider alternatives while engaging property owners.