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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParking Presentation (by CJ Owners) 4-26-04 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2004 History/Overview A successful Captain Jack’s is consistent with the goals of the City’s 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan to enhance this community and bring people to Prior Lake. Having a restaurant on the lake differentiates Prior Lake from all other metro lakes south of the river. (Crystal, Orchard, Spring, Marion, Cedar, Fish and a multitude of others). Values on Prior Lake are higher because it’s a recreational lake. Captain Jack’s makes Prior Lake different. The community wants a restaurant on the lake. The demand is there. Captain Jack’s employs over 60 people during the peak season. Current ownership group is committed to the success of Captain Jack’s on Prior Lake. The majority of the ownership group owns other businesses in Prior Lake (IVEX, IVEX Mortgage, Realty House, Minnesota Guarantee Mortgage, and High Five Erectors). Sales have increased every year since the current ownership group assumed operations. Sales have increased from $600k to $1.275m under this ownership. Still the operation is not profitable. Current ownership group has invested and made improvements to the operation and facility in excess of $200k. Remodeling of bar area, dining room, downstairs New roof Complete repainting – inside and out Landscaping Numerous kitchen improvements New computer system Upgraded equipment The reality is, even though improvements have been made and sales have increased, the restaurant operation still lost money in 2003. The ownership group wants to see a return on their investment. Ownership group has made the decision to not invest any more capital unless we can grow the business. The number one issue preventing the growth of business at Captain Jack’s is parking. Captain Jack’s Parking Alternatives Option Pros Cons Comments   Expand current parking lot.  Create additional parking directly adjacent to the restaurant.  Only feasible option is to go East Captain Jack’s does not own the property. Would create impervious surface issues. Property is not for sale (at a reasonable price). Not cost effective to turn lakeshore into a parking lot.  Not a feasible, cost effective option.   Turn the lot across the street into a free-standing parking lot in accordance with ordinance 1107.204.  Create additional parking close to the restaurant  Captain Jack’s does not own the property Property is not for sale (at a reasonable price) Current owner does not want the property turned to a lot in accordance with ordinance 1107.204. Modifications required (paving, dividers, etc) would be very expensive to reverse if the property were used for another purpose with its R2 zoning designation.  Not a feasible, cost effective option.   Utilize existing on-street parking options.  No changes required to what’s currently in place.  Closest on-street parking is too far away to be practically used by customers (this has been proven in the past) Unclear direction on where you can actually park.  Not a practical option for customers to use.   Run a shuttle service from downtown.  No changes required to what’s currently in place.  Not cost effective to run throughout the summer as busses are expensive and business is very weather dependent. Not a practical service to be utilized by customers for going out to dinner.  Not a cost effective option for Captain Jack’s or a practical option to be used by customers.   Run a valet service for customers.  No changes to what is currently in place.  Would help the parking problem but will not resolve the issue. Extra expense to Captain Jack’s.  While this option would help the situation it will not adequately solve the problem and provide the necessary parking.   Flatten out the vacant property across the street and install a Class 5 surface base. Allow use of property across the street as a ‘temporary’ free-standing parking lot without implementing all the requirements of ordinance 1107.204.  Provides adequate parking for Captain Jack’s. Keeps cars off the street. Will be accepted by a majority of the neighbors. Doesn’t hurt anyone.  Doesn’t fully comply with ordinance 1107.204.  This is a very viable option for all parties. The owner of the property is in agreement with grading the property and installing a Class 5 surface. Captain Jack’s would need permission to use the lot on a temporary basis (April 15th through October 15th) and on special occasion basis (with approval from the City of PL).   Allow on-street parking on the side of the road adjacent to the empty lot across the street from Captain Jack’s.  Provides adequate parking for Captain Jack’s. Cars will be parked in front of vacant land and will not block anyone’s homes.  Some neighbors will complain. Goes against the desire to get cars off the street.  This is a very viable option for all parties. No question some neighbors will complain, which brings up the question of what is in the best interest of the greater good for the community. This option would only add additional on-street parking adjacent to the empty lot and will not result in cars being parked in front of resident’ homes or block their view.   Summary There is a long tradition and history with Captain Jack’s and it is definitely an asset to the community of Prior Lake. The current ownership group has made a tremendous investment (both of financial resources and time) to ensure Captain Jack’s is a destination of which all of Prior Lake can be proud. Making it easier for customers to access the restaurant, via additional parking capacity, is required to make the restaurant profitable. The Captain Jack’s ownership group has explored a number of options to resolve this problem. The two options that are viable solutions are Allow temporary usage of the parking lot across the street without meeting all the requirements of 1107.204. Allow on-street parking adjacent to the empty lot across the street from Captain Jack’s per the following diagram: Pershing Street Dutch Ave Dunkirk Ave Roanoke St x = where parking will be allowed. Green Heights Trail Park Ave The ownership group of Captain Jack’s looks forward to coming to a successful resolution to this issue as soon as possible. Solving this issue is critical to keeping Captain Jack’s on Prior Lake.