CC_Minutes_2014_0609 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 9, 2014 Page 31 sity subscribes to a mixed housing approach, with students interspersed together, not one separate dorm for freshmen and another for seniors, but together to create better synergy and a process for their interaction of students, which would also be the plan for this student housing facility. Mr. Schroeder noted that freshmen were not allowed to have cars on campus, which would leave 140 out of the projected 190 students in the building eligible to bring their car and register it; a ratio of approximately 80% which had proven it- self consistently. Following that logic for the potential of 110-120 vehicles re- questing a parking permit, with only 80 spaces available, Mr. Schroeder recog- nized the need for an additional 30-40 vehicles to be accommodated off-site. As a way to control parking, Mr. Schroeder advised that parking permits were color coded and specific to a lot and designation; with tickets issues by their own public safety organization, defin- ing when and how students parked. Mr. Schroeder advised that resident students were not allowed to bring their cars on campus during the day as it interfered with parking for commuter students. Mr. Schroeder advise that the intent was to pro- vide overflow parking at their Northwestern Office Center (former Edina Realty building) as their lot had approximately 100 spaces, and there were only 26 em- ployees now using that facility, leaving 70 spots available, well within the Uni- versity's ability to designate parking within 1/2 block of the Country Inn building. Being sensitive to parking opportunities, Mr. Schroeder advised that the Universi- ty was in the process of acquiring another lot on the east side of Snelling Avenue adjacent to the apartment building to accommodate another twenty vehicles, and further control traffic flow during the day by continuing use of its shuttle bus ser- vice that made rounds from the main campus to the Northwestern Office Center, and would serve the Country Inn site and apattiuent buildings as well. Mr. Schroeder advised that the shuttle ran from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on a regular schedule, and from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on call, with service also available to serve students. Mr. Schroeder advised that the University had also observed student parking spill- ing onto City streets, which was an ongoing dilemma. However, Mr. Schroeder noted that students could park on public streets as much as other vehicles, and could do so without paying a fee to do so, which they found attractive. Unless and until the City implemented a"No Parking"ban on City streets, Mr. Schroeder noted that they were unable to enforce students to further address the goals and objectives of the University and City. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Schroeder confirmed that the Northwestern Office Center was used for nursing classes, which had approximate- ly 30 students, with some resident and some commuter students, but still leaving sufficient space for additional parking availability.