Minto takes steps to provide parking for tenants in downtown Palmerston

The Town of Minto will provide additional parking for tenants of downtown buildings here, council agreed on April 19.

In a staff report, chief building official Terry Kuipers explained town staff have received numerous requests for parking spaces from tenants and owners of existing occupied buildings, as well as those undergoing renovations.

The town currently rents out 32 parking spaces, 22 of which are in the parking lot behind the former Palmer Hotel, and 10 behind Brown’s Insurance. Renting those out generates $150 per year, per space.

Kuipers said that does not cover snow removal and maintenance, but does offset some town expenses.

In addition to the spaces provided in the Palmer and Brown’s lots, requests have been submitted for 11 additional parking spaces, and Kuipers said staff anticipate a future demand for three additional spaces once renovations in one of the buildings are complete.

Kuipers noted the town’s economic development committee agrees the preferable approach is to lease spaces in the parking lot between Rock’s Antiques and Jay’s Variety, which has been recently repaired and resurfaced.

Staff determined nine spaces could be provided adjacent to Rock’s Antiques and five along the rear of the lot.

“The side of the Jay’s Variety building contains three store fronts, and staff did not want to place the spaces there to avoid conflict with future businesses,” the report states.

Kuipers estimates it will cost approximately $1,000 for 14 new “Permit Parking Only” signs and posts, an amount already included in the budget.

Council accepted the report and directed staff to line and sign the parking lot as outlined.

 

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