BOERNE – Paid parking — a first for the city — is coming to a site on South Main Street that for five decades has been free and open, officials said.
While charging motorists for parking in downtown areas is standard in big cities such as San Antonio, the concept is so new to Boerne no regulations were set forth in the recently adopted and amended Unified Development Code.
The lot, which sits between The Richter complex and the Laurie Saunders antiques and interiors shop, sharing its address with the dining and shopping center at 153 S. Main St., remained free to locals and visitors alike for at least 50 years due to a gentleman’s agreement.
Formerly a parking site for a car dealership that closed in the 1970s, the latest turn of affairs came after negotiations stalled between the newest landowner, with ties to California, and surrounding businesses and the city.
“The city of Boerne has never owned the property in the 100 block of South Main Street that is utilized for parking and has a public restroom the city built and has maintained for a number of years,” city Communications Director Chris Shadrock said. “Recently, the owners of the property reached out and requested an updated lease agreement that would allow for the city of Boerne to continue to maintain the public restrooms and for the city to utilize the property during our annual Dickens on Main event.” The city spokesman said the owners did not ask the city to buy the land. Boerne and the landholders “continue to have good collaborative discussions related to their request,” Shadrock said.
Richter owner Guy Saunders for years has acted as a broker or go-between for the lease, but recently removed himself from that role, thinking he was leaving the terms to be settled by the city and the new owners.
Change quickly ensued. In the past, Saunders said he chipped in roughly $250 a month for rent, covering the lot’s property taxes and funding any improvements.
In all, Saunders estimated he’s spent $200,000 over eight years for the public to use the lot, but now the property owners think they’ll turn a larger profit by charging for the 30 spots.
“Over the eight years that i’ve been broker on these between various landowners and the city, we’ve personally forked out about $200,000 to maintain public parking,” Saunders said.
However, when property values skyrocketed last year, Saunders said the lot’s value went up 500%, which meant it was time for a new arrangement.
The city was coughing up $750 during the past eight years as part of a loosely laid-out lease agreement that remained in play, but city staffers are now working on a new plan with the property owners to continue leasing the public restroom space at the back of the lot.
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