Businesses and residents could request special parking in downtown Blair after the city council passed an ordinance at its July 27 meeting. The motion passed 5-2 with council members Andrew Schank and Kevin Hall voting nay. Council member Jon Stewart was absent.
The ordinance allows for 15-minute restricted parking on streets perpendicular to Washington Street.
City Attorney Desirae Solomon drafted the ordinance at the request of the council after Fernando's Cafe and Cantina made an application for three special parking spaces outside the restaurant for curbside pickup.
“This specific ordinance makes it clear that it would not be designated for a specific business,” Solomon said. “It would be if the public had a request that they would like on the off street.”
Any signs that are already posted, including one for the Blair Bakery, would have to be changed, Solomon said.
Schank said he thought adding the signs would set a precedent.
“I just think we need to leave it alone. Leave it like it is and people need find their own place to park like they've been doing for all these years,” he said. “The reason we're even talking about this is because somebody wants to have special parking for their business.”
An ordinance to amend zoning regulations to add mini storage units as an excepted use in properties zone office park district passed on second reading 5-3 after Mayor Rich Hansen cast a vote.
Other exceptions include:
• apartments of living quarters when located within an office building
• Construction offices where all equipment and materials are stored inside a permanent structure
• Contractor yards
• Restaurants, either within an office building or in a stand alone building
• Public utility structures, services and facilities
• Miniature golf courses, recreational facilities
• Other uses which are similar to the permitted principal uses and which are in harmony with the intent of this district.
All exceptions would need approval of a conditional use permit.
The council approved a special designated liquor license for the Blair Masonic Lodge for a cornhole tournament.
The tournament will be Sept. 4 at the lodge, 1245 S. U.S. Highway 75, Blair.
