January 17, 2008

Council to consider special parking

request for downtown business

Mayor Linda Kadlec asked the members of the city council’s public works committee to meet and consider a request from Sam and Debbie Duncan for a pair of special parking designations on Main Avenue in front of the new location of the Ritzville Pretty Good Grocery store.

Late last year the Duncans moved the grocery store from its original location on Main Avenue across the street to 115 West Main Avenue.

In a letter dated Jan. 5, the couple asked the city council to designate a handicapped parking spot and a 30-minute parking space in front of the store. Parking on that side of the street is parallel to the curb. On the opposite side of the street the parking scheme utilizes angled parking.

“The city kindly granted our request in 2007 for special parking, which worked very well for the people needing access to the surrounding area,” the Duncans wrote. “We have since moved our store and need special parking closer to our new location.”

Council member Scott Yaeger noted that the city has four handicapped parking spaces in a two block stretch of Main Avenue. All of those spaces are located on the opposite side of the street from the grocery store.

Additionally, just across the street from the grocery store are three specially dedicated parking spots in a row: a handicapped parking space, a reserved space for the senior center van/bus and 10 minute temporary parking space in front of Pepperhead Pizza.

Police Chief David McCormick said he would be concerned about a handicapped space on the parallel parking side of the street.

Handicapped or disabled drivers would be exiting their vehicles into the street and would not have immediate access to a sidewalk ramp.

He said he feels there is adequate parking for handicapped motorists.

The Duncans want the 30-minute parking space to make access to their store easier during peak business times.

“The bar and restaurant businesses in this area are quite busy in the afternoon and evening, attracting a demand for parking. This is very good for the downtown area, but we think one spot should be reserved for the person who wants to run an errand in the other adjacent businesses,” the Duncans said in their letter.

No further action on the matter was taken during Tuesday’s meeting; the public works committee is expected to review the matter prior to the first council meeting in February.