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Requests for Temporary Closure and Use of City Parking Lot 13 (Corner of Miller and Cypress Avenues) for Community Events on Saturday, November 21, 2026. (Marissa Garren, Secretary to the Parking Place Commission)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Parking Place Commission review and discuss requests from Friends of Old Town and Sociedad Mutualista Mexicana Morelos (SMMM) for the temporary closure and use of City Parking Lot 13 on Saturday, November 21, 2026, and provide direction to staff as appropriate.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City has received two requests from local community organizations seeking temporary use of City Parking Lot 13 on Saturday, November 21, 2026, for separate community events.
Friends of Old Town, represented by Brittany Burgo, is requesting use of the parking lot from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Morelos Hall. The organization has also requested approximately 14 traffic cones to assist with reserving and managing the parking area during the event.
Sociedad Mutualista Mexicana Morelos (SMMM), represented by President Francisco Javier Gomez, is requesting exclusive use of the entire parking lot from 2:00 p.m. to midnight for its 100th anniversary celebration. The organization anticipates a significant number of attendees and is requesting use of the entire lot to accommodate guests and manage parking during the celebration.
The proposed requests would involve temporary use of City Parking Lot 13 throughout November 21, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, with each organization utilizing the lot during separate time periods.
Approval of these requests would temporarily limit public parking availability during the requested hours. Staff will coordinate with the organizations regarding event logistics, parking impacts, and any necessary City permits or requirements.
Staff is also confirming the appropriate approval authority and process for the temporary closure and exclusive use of the public parking facility.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed closure of City Parking Lot 13 would temporarily eliminate 30 public parking spaces on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Based on the November 2025 Downtown Parking Occupancy Study, Lot 13 experienced a peak Saturday occupancy of 97%, indicating high parking demand. At the current rate of $1.50 per hour, with paid parking enforced from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the maximum potential revenue loss is approximately $450, assuming all 30 spaces would otherwise be occupied and paid for throughout the 10-hour period. Actual revenue loss may be lower depending on parking activity and turnover.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Parking Place Commission review the requests and provide direction to staff regarding the proposed temporary use and closure of City Parking Lot 13, subject to confirmation of the required approval process.