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248 to discuss three issues regarding parking: 1) parking principles to guide future parking decisions, particularly new parking; 2) increasing parking fines in order to make better use of on-street parking; and 3) reduce on-street parking limits from two hours to 1 1/2 hours. Mr. Affl~rey Watts, Director of Economic Development, explained that the guiding principles grew out of the parking study. The proposed principles are as follows: 1) The parking master plan clearly defines a significant deficit both in calculated demand and needed parking at the present time within the downtown area of the City of Charlottesville. The Council recognizes this deficit, its impacts upon the adjacent neighborhoods and economic development vitality, and the need to reduce it in the immediate furore. 2) The City has an appropriate and significant role to play in addressing parking issues. This role includes appropriate efforts to assist in the financing of parking structures, and addressing zoning, regulation and administration of our parking assets. 3) The City needs to focus its time and attention immediately on two sites: one in the western business corridor of our downtown area and the other in the eastern portion of our downtown area. The eastern site should address some of the issues associated with the Court Facility Study. 4) Future parking decks should be designed and coordinated with mixed use development and, to the extent possible, the City should encourage public/private development of the parking. 5) The capital costs associated with parking is significant and the City has an important role in the funding of this infrastructure requirement. 6) In order to meet funding requirements, it will be necessary for the City to use a mix of various types of funding including City capital funds and debt financing to meet the capital requirements. 7) The Council is open to the examination of potential sites for parking development and will consider sites based upon their efficiency, cost and compliance with the principles of the City Comprehensive Plan and recently completed Corridor Study. Mr. Watts said that the principles will proVide guidance to staff. Mr. Cox asked why there is no mention of underground parking in the principles. Mr. Watts proposed the following language regarding underground parking: a) To the extent possible, maximize the natural topography of the site with the proposed structure, b) Carefully evaluate the economic feasibility from a cost benefit standpoint, short and long term. Be mindful of the environmental consideration associated with underground parking primarily relating to the air circulation and exhaust, d) Care needs to be taken to make the facility as user friendly as possible to patrons who are not familiar with these types of structures, e) There should be careful attention to safety and safety enhancements which make people more comfortable, f) The management of these facilities should take into consideration techniques such as making short term limited parking available on the upper floors and long-term employee parking on the lower levels, g) Consider the uses of any technology advances in parking that may be appropriate in order to gain maximum efficiency of space. Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Watts said that the ordinance regarding exempt parking in the central business district is recommended to be changed in order to make it fair but not overly burdensome. Mr. Cox said that he feels the spirit of principle #4 should go beyond that and retail should be encouraged on the street level. Mr. Watts said the intent was to follow the Corridor Study. Mr. Cox said there is more specificity in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Lynch said he agrees with most principles but while he thinks it is absolutely essential t° encourage parking, he does not think the City can continue the current subsidy in the long-term. Mr. Watts said "to the extent possible" was added because there may be situations where the City and County would build a garage.