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DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Parking permits hobble Sky Park project An elevated-condo project proposed in Medford faces uphill battle Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:44 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Social News An elevated condominium project planned to be built over a public parking lot is in jeopardy over issues related to reserved parking spaces for residents. At a Medford City Council study session Thursday night, Sky Park LLC, represented by Ashland developer Allan Sandler and Mark McKechnie of Oregon Architecture, requested 26 parking spaces monitored around the clock for the Sky Park complex proposed to be elevated above the public lot at 10th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Medford. What was presented as small tweaks to the plan was seen as a material shift in the agreement. "The lot that we're working with is only observed from 7 in the morning to 7 o'clock at night," Lynette O'Neal, assistant to the deputy city manager, said at the session. The spaces aren't enforced evenings and weekends, and the longest parking space reservation is month-to-month, according to city code. McKechnie said the current arrangement would be a problem for residents. As the code stands, residents couldn't call a towing company if someone was parked in their space after hours. "They have to call the city that's closed at night," McKechnie said. McKechnie and Sandler offered to lease the land at the rate of 26 permits for a duration of one to five years, and offered to install hydraulic lifts on the spaces that would accommodate two vehicles in one space. "We're giving you more spaces than you have now," Sandler said. O'Neal said the 26 spaces can be "oversold" to 34, because permit holders don't use them at the same time, and permit spaces are used an average of 3.2 times a day. "Taking those spaces, you're losing about three times that," O'Neal said. City Manager Pro Tem Bill Hoke said that 197 people are on a waiting list for reserved spaces. "The city currently agreed to shared parking," Hoke said, adding that the design is a good mix because students use the lot when residents are away. Hoke also expressed concerns with vehicle ingress and egress in the proposed layout. Sandler said parking was an issue that could turn off buyers or impede Sky Park's ability to finance the units, planned to cost around $200,000 each. "For these to be a viable asset, the units need to have parking," Sandler said. "If you can't do it, we're not going to be able to do it." Councilors expressed exasperation, saying that changes presented as slight adjustments appeared to be material changes on the agreement. "The thing about parking, I don't know how they didn't see it, but I did," Councilor Kevin Stine said. "I've run out of goodwill on this project," Councilor Daniel Bunn said. "Now we're overturning two committees." Mayor Gary Wheeler admitted that although he'd been a strong proponent of the project, he was concerned about the proposed lot. "I would love to have this downtown, but the way it's configured, I don't think it's going to work," Wheeler said. "We're already at capacity." Councilor Chris Corcoran voiced support for the project. "I would argue Sky Park has the ability to develop this neighborhood," Corcoran said. "I would hate that this would be the death knell for this project." Councilor Clay Bearnson suggested selling a portion of the lot to the developers for parking, with the idea the money could go into the parking fund. "We haven't said yes. We haven't said no. We're just continuing to talk," Corcoran said. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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