Charles City Council considers parklet policy test-run

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Pondering about parklets continued during the Charles City Council’s workshop meeting on Wednesday, May 10.

At a previous meeting, Charles City Community Development Director Mark Wicks approached the council with a request to consider creating an ordinance that would allow businesses to install parklets in front of their buildings.

Parklets are temporary structures typically used to provide outdoor seating for restaurants during the warm weather months. Charles City has no specific ordinance regarding them, but plans for a new business expansion downtown has brought the matter to the forefront.

David Davidson, owner of Dean Jewelers, is planning a new venture by converting the rear portion of his building into an ice cream shop, “Dean Treats.” At the same time, Davidson has purchased a food truck where he plans to sell pre-made Italian dishes, “Dean Eats.” To facilitate both projects, particularly “Dean Eats,” Davidson wants to put in a parklet alongside his building on Kelly Street where people can sit.

Previously the council indicated that it was unlikely to get through the process of crafting a comprehensive parklet ordinance this year, but Davidson approached the council with more information about his specific vision, asking them to consider granting a special use permit that would allow him to move forward.

“In that little section I think it’d be really cool to have something to do,” said Davidson.

While Davidson says that “Dean Treats” will move forward one way or another, the viability of “Dean Eats” may depend on the city allowing him to use a parklet. In either case, Davidson would like to be open by July 4.

Council member Patrick Lumley did not agree with acting on such a relatively short timeline, instead stating his preference for first crafting a comprehensive policy.

“We’re not going to create an ordinance on parklets in 60 days,” said Lumley. “I want an ordinance that has everything.”

In contrast, council members DeLaine Freeseman and Phoebe Pittman were all right with allowing a conditional use permit, but expressed their own concerns about issuing permission for a parklet where no business yet exists to utilize it.

Mayor Dean Andrews supported the idea of a special use permit, suggesting that allowing Davidson to establish a parklet will give the city an opportunity to see what they would want to see in a comprehensive ordinance.

“I see this as an opportunity more than a hindrance,” said Andrews. “I see making the ordinance before allowing him to do anything is more of a cumbrance.”

The council and Davidson agreed to work on their respective sides of the process, with the city working on terms for a conditional use permit while Davidson makes progress on “Dean Treats,” and to return for the next workshop to see where both are at.

“I wouldn’t want to put a parklet in if I didn’t have an ice cream store either,” said Davidson.

Addressing a different city street issue, the council opened discussion on a previously approved road closure for the Rotary Club’s “Santa’s Show and Shine” summer car show scheduled for July 15.

Like last year, the Rotary Club is planning to host the car show on Main Street, from the 100 block up to Ferguson St., where the entries to the show will come in.

This plan has raised an objection from Ryan Boehmer, who owns a building on Main Street near the corner of Ferguson St. where the cars will be coming in.

“I lose access to my building when that street is closed,” said Boehmer, who said that last year’s show interfered with his own plans to have work done on the building that day. “I’m against that lot being closed for any reason except parades, emergencies, and repairs.”

Jessica Gintz, representing the Rotary Club, said that they would be fine with making arrangements so that Boehmer can get in and out during the show if the need arises, noting that closing the street would allow them to prevent anybody from parking in front of his building that day.

Boehmer expressed his preference to not see the street closed at all.

The council will put the matter on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.

Going from streets to water, the city discussed replacing one of the water treatment plant’s lime slaker controls, which controls the dosage of lime added to the city’s drinking water to adjust pH levels. One of the plant’s two slakers has been slacking, presenting numerous issues that make it unable to operate consistently. In anticipation of the Clearwell project expanding the city’s water capacity, the water treatment plant will need two functional slakers to operate efficiently.

Replacement slaker controls will cost about $28,000, which will be paid for out of the 2024 budget as the city will need three to four months of lead time before parts become available.

On the other side of the water system, the Street Department informed the council that the city’s current sewer camera, purchased in 2009, is in need of replacement. Costing $25,505, a new camera would come equipped with a high-definition lens and a new lighting system along with mounting equipment to better allow the city to find blockages, leaks, and other issues in the sewer lines.

The council agreed with the need for the equipment, but expressed no desire to see the high-definition images that the new camera would produce.

“Some things are better left to the imagination,” agreed Superintendent Cory Spieker.

In other business, the council reviewed bids to replace roofs at Morningside Apartments and windows at North Cedar Terrace, received the third pay request for the Clearwell project for completed work and purchased materials, and discussed a new easement to allow for the relocation of the traffic signal at the Main Street/Gilbert Street intersection.

City Administrator Steve Diers also reported that there has been some confusion over a letter sent to residents about tree trimming policy, clarifying that branches up to 8 and 15 feet on the sidewalk and street side, respectively, must be trimmed and that the heights do not refer to the height of the tree itself.

Diers also reported that a new can collection location has been set for people to contribute to the Charles City Fireworks Fund. The new site on the lot behind 813 North Main St. and will be open to collect only redeemable cans and bottles.

The council discussed the possibility of putting in surveillance of the site as previous sites have been prone to people leaving non-redeemable bottles and jugs, appliances, and other trash.