YORKTON - At its regular meeting Feb. 26, Yorkton Council approved the alternative option of off-site parking within 120 metres of the business for parking required by Pumphouse Athletic Club .
The decision was in response to a Development Permit application for a “Participant Recreation – Indoors” use by Pumphouse Athletic Club.
“Participant Recreation – Indoors” is a permitted use in the C-1 City Centre Commercial zoning district and, based on the size of this development, requires a minimum of 14 off-street parking spaces, explained Carleen Koroluk - Land Use Planner with the city.
Part of that requirement had been met, said Koroluk.
“While the site itself offers no off-street parking spaces, the property owner and the City have entered into a Purchase and Sales Agreement to subdivide and sell 12 parking spaces in the city owned parking lot,” she said,
A condition of the Agreement is that the new parcel be consolidated with the 36 Broadway Street East property via a Parcel Tie. This would provide 12 dedicated off street parking spaces for the primary use, leaving a deficit of two parking spaces.
Because of the deficit, a Development Permit has not yet been issued, added Koroluk.
To satisfy the parking requirement, the property owner is prepared to lease two spaces in the remaining City owned lot and is requesting that Council authorize the Off Site Parking Alternative Option, she continued. The location’s close proximity to the City-owned parking lot across Third Avenue South is noted as a benefit and, as identified in the 2021 City of Yorkton Downtown Parking Review, participation in the City’s Leased Parking Space Program would fulfill Zoning Bylaw parking requirements.
The City currently has a number of lease agreements with downtown businesses to secure parking spaces in other City owned lots (Myrtle Avenue lot and Betts Avenue lot). The lease agreements stipulate that the business is responsible for obtaining and installing signage to identify the leased spaces, as well as enforcement related to the utilization of the spaces, noted a report to Council.
While on-street parking is available in close proximity, it is not dedicated for sole use by this property. Off-street parking is intended to provide patrons and employees with adequate space to park so to conveniently accommodate their use of the development and so that streets and properties do not become congested with the vehicles of non-patrons, said Koroluk.
