A recent city action by a majority of city commissioners that exempts certain property owners from providing parking spaces otherwise required by the zoning ordinance has raised the ire of some downtown business owners and residents.

At a May 22 city commission meeting, commissioners Ron Grunch, Mayor Eleanor Stackus and Jerry Douglas approved a parking exempt boundary district that allows property owners within the boundaries to pay into a city parking fund instead of providing parking spaces, if the city planning commission approves.

The exemption benefits the One Water Street proposed development that would be required to provide 147 parking spaces based on the size and use of the site, according to the city zoning ordinance. The developer's plans were approved by the planning commission for 89 spaces.

The developer must pay into the city parking fund for the remaining 58 spaces it is not required to provide. The fee property owners would pay to the city's parking fund in lieu of providing spaces is under review.

Downtown business owner Bob Huff of Huff Pharmacy said that not requiring One Water Street to provide the full 147 spaces would infringe on existing parking spaces. He said it would have a negative impact on businesses downtown when people cannot find a parking space.

"You are making concessions on property that was ours in the first place," Huff said to commissioners. "You shouldn't be doing this (One Water Street) project. You're doing this project because somebody has a lot of money."

Area resident Vasco Zucchiatti voiced concern that commissioners were setting a precedent by not requiring the full number of spaces from the One Water Street developer.

"If you allow all of this to happen, you're setting a precedent and the next guy who comes along will want the same thing," Zucchiatti said. "If you do it for one, you have to do it for another."

Commissioners Dan Adkison and Chuck Vondra voted against the parking exemption boundary district.

Adkison said a concern is that the city is running out of space.

Vondra said the issue is prime parking spots during prime times of the year and that he is concerned about other proposed developments asking for the exemption to providing spaces required by the zoning ordinance.

But commissioner Jerry Douglas said the city is trying to create a walkable city. Mayor Eleanor Stackus agreed.

"I think Main Street (Program) has done an excellent job of creating walking downtown," she said. "I personally don't feel we have a parking problem in our community."

Recent counts by the city indicate public on street and lot parking spaces downtown number 662 spaces. Private spaces downtown, such as at the hotel or other businesses, number a total of 729, according to city manager Michael Cain.

Cain said the total of 1,391 spaces does not include spaces at Veterans Park and the city hall complex or Peninsula Park.

Commissioner Ron Grunch voiced his support of the parking exempt boundaries and for the exemption given to One Water Street developers. "One Water Street is really sticking their necks out with the economy today," Grunch said. He pointed out that the project would create jobs.

"If we think we're going to keep this community going with manufacturing, it's not going to happen. I think the project is good for Boyne City."