Analysis 1: City of Sandpoint has strict parking requirements which are triggered anytime a building changes use (i.e. from a restaurant to a retail space) or increases its use (expansion of a restaurant, etc. ). What this means practically is that if a person desires to remodel an old building or start a new business, they must often time buy parking spots or pay the City 10,000 per spot, an "in lieu fee".
This problem is especially prevalent with our historic buildings. Many of these are old. They require significant investment to improve them. However, if they are improved, then the parking requirements are triggered. Therefore, it is often easier to knock an old building down and build new than preserve it. The parking requirements act as a obstacle to using our old buildings.
Conclusion 1: I voted to reduce parking requirements by 50% for buildings placed on the historic register within the City of Sandpoint.
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