Compromise design approved for Lot 6

A final design for Parking Lot 6 in Birmingham on N. Old Woodward was altered by city commissioners before being unanimously approved at their meeting on Monday, December 10.

Assistant city manager Tiffany Guenther informed commissioners at the meeting that there were two concept plans, and she and her committee were recommending plan one because “We recognized the goal was to increase the parking and to make sure to maximize the Farmers Market.”

She did point out that the plan did not follow the city's landscape requirements, “but plan two doesn't get as many parking spaces.”

Guenther said there are currently 142 parking spaces in Lot 6, and the plan would add 32 more.

Commissioner Mark Nickita asked if there had been a hybrid plan, and she said there had been some discussions, but that they always returned to maximizing parking.

“You know, it's perplexing that we have all these landscaping guidelines for private developers, but we don't adhere to them,” Nickita said. “I know we want to maximize parking, but it's always about balance. Maybe we can lose a little bit of parking and gain some of those goals.”

“I agree. We want to set an example for private developers,” commissioner Stuart Sherman said. “Both plans give us more parking. We have to balance the needs of that area with the needs of the whole city.”

Commissioners voted 7-0 to authorize staff to proceed with the plan, with an amendment to include a landscape island on the southern end of the lot.