Commission splits on downtown parking changes; votes to restore January language protecting pre-1968 buildings

The City of Prescott Planning Commission on Feb. 26 took up a continued item to update downtown parking requirements in the land development code (LDC 25-002), debated potential impacts on historic buildings and downtown redevelopment, and ultimately recommended that the city council consider a version of the changes that keeps pre-1968 protections while requiring parking for overnight hospitality uses.

Tammy DeWitt, community planner, reminded the commission that the item revisits January changes and explained that an ordinance from October 1968 historically exempted certain older downtown buildings from parking requirements to protect historic structures. Under the draft presented at the meeting, DeWitt said, that pre-1968 protection was proposed to be removed so that office, personal-service, school and some hospitality uses in older buildings would be required to provide on-site parking. DeWitt warned the commission that removing the exemption could “compromise some buildings or uses in some of those buildings” and affect historic preservation.

Discussion centered on two recurring concerns: (1) whether requiring on-site parking would block or make infeasible residential redevelopment (apartments above shops) that supports downtown vitality, and (2) how the city’s in-lieu parking provision operates. Commissioners asked whether required parking could be provided off-site; staff said shared parking is allowed when contractual agreements exist and that shared spaces must be within 300 feet of the use served. Staff also noted in-lieu parking fees and contractual arrangements can be used but that in-lieu funds may not be used for more than 20 garage spaces under current language.

Commissioner Tom Riley moved to approve LDC 25-002 as presented, which would remove the pre-1968 exemption more broadly; Commissioner Tom Hutchison seconded. The motion failed on a 3-3 roll call (Davis and Klazewski voted No; Graham, Hutchison and Riley voted Yes; Chair Michelman voted No). After discussion, several commissioners said they preferred the January version that limited changes to hospitality uses requiring overnight parking while preserving pre-1968 protections for other permitted uses.

Commissioner Tom Davis moved to recommend the January language (reinstating the pre-1968 protections for permitted uses while still requiring parking for overnight hospitality uses) and Jim Kolzewski seconded. The commission voted unanimously to forward that recommendation to council.

Commissioners stressed the need to balance historic preservation and downtown character with parking and tourism goals. Community Development Director Chelsea Walton said staff will study the issue further during the upcoming land-development-code update and seek consultant input and examples from other historic downtown communities before additional changes are finalized.

Next steps: the commission will forward its recommendation to City Council; staff expects to include this item in upcoming Council materials for further consideration and public comment.