Downtown parking issues associated with the stalled $38 million Novotel hotel project will be investigated as one of the measures to rejuvenate the city centre.
A comprehensive parking strategy will be prepared by Tauranga City Council to addresses parking issues.
Study results will be used in a review of the development contributions
regime for parking.
Construction of the 146-room Novotel hotel and adjoining multi-level parking building stalled after the developer objected to additional council charges of nearly $2m, of which more than $1.5m was a carparking contribution.
The Novotel issue was raised during public submissions this week on the strategy to rejuvenate the ailing city centre so that it doesn't lose its status as Tauranga's commercial and cultural heart.
A written submission from Dwayne Roper of Zariba Holdings, a major downtown property owner, asked the council to identify the ratio between floor space and car parks.
"We could then identify whether we do in fact require more car parking spaces and where they should be located."
Car parking ratios determine parking contributions and Mr Roper said he would like to see the ratios reduced.
Ratios vary from 3 to 4.5 carpark spaces per 100 sq m of gross floor area.
Parking contributions were paid for each car park unable to be accommodated by a development.
Mr Roper said parking contributions were stopping the Novotel development. He also complained that the charges were too low for permanent car parks on council-owned land and buildings. Because the council was a major player in this market, it set rates that were not commercially viable for developers looking for a return when they built car parks.
The council will also be taking a wider look at the District Plan and development contribution regimes impacting on the downtown.
It will include incentive and regulation-based approaches.
Mayor Stuart Crosby said the council was struggling to be the sole player for parking and it needed a joint venture public/private approach.
Cr Terry Molloy said a partnership with the private sector had a lot of merit.
It has been 2 1/2 years since the council signed a conditional agreement with Novotel developer R&B; Consultants to build an 11-storey hotel on Durham St, opposite Baycourt.
