The DDA called for a moratorium on new restaurants in March in an attempt to keep the mix of businesses in balance, but City Manager David Harden said staff was working on a different approach.
The staff’s parking plan discourages restaurants by boosting the required number of parking spaces, and therefore costs. It would require restaurants — except in the Pineapple Grove Main Street area — to increase parking from six spaces to 12 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area up to 6,000 square feet, and 15 spaces per 1,000 square feet over 6,000 square feet.
The plan removes parking requirements that had been used as a redevelopment tool, according to Scott Aronson, parking management specialist.
The parking ordinances, which would also include other changes in the “in-lieu” system of parking, are scheduled to come before commissioners July 5 and July 19.
— Margie Plunkett
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