Department of
Community
& Development Services
Telephone (905) 468-3266
Facsimile (905) 468-0301
1593 Four Mile Creek Road
P.O. Box 100
Virgil, Ontario
L0S 1T0
Submitted on:
November 06, 2013
Report:
CDS-13-081
Report To:
Community & Development Advisory Committee
Subject:
Seasonal Resident Parking Permit in the Old Town
1. RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that:
1.1 A Seasonal Resident Parking Permit program be introduced as a pilot program for the winter of 2013-2014 for eligible residents (other than Queen Street residents) in Old Town;
1.2 One Parking Permit per household, excluding Short Term Rentals and commercial properties, may be issued for a $50.00 fee from November 1, 2013 to April 15, 2014, noting that all vehicles continue to be subject to relevant Town by-laws and associated penalties as contained in the "Parking and Traffic By-law No. 4308-09".
2. PURPOSE / PROPOSAL
To implement a “Seasonal Resident Parking Permit” pilot program that allows residents of the Old Town area that reside on metered streets to park at metered spaces during the winter months of 2013-2014.
3. BACKGROUND
In November 2012, a resident approached the Town to recommend that a seasonal parking permit program be explored for those parts of Old Town with metered parking spaces. The resident recommended that these permits should allow residents to park in metered spaces in front of their homes during the less busy winter months. He also provided a list of recommendations as to how this program could be implemented, managed and enforced.
On February 19, 2013, the Parking Committee considered this proposal. On March 18, 2013, the Public Works Advisory Committee recommended to Council "That the proposal submitted by H. Strauss, on the subject of Old Town parking meter permits, be limited to residents of streets on which pay and display machines are located (excluding commercial and Bed & Breakfast establishments) and be approved in principle, pending staff input, and be implemented by November 2013". Council adopted the recommendation at its March 25, 2013 meeting.
On October 8, 2013, a preliminary draft report was introduced to the Town Parking Committee for discussion and as an update for the Committee. The Committee's input is reflected in this report to Community and Development Services. Staff are recommending a pilot program for this winter that will allow the Town to assess the merits of this program and how it might be improved in subsequent years.
4. DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS
The following points were set forth by Town Staff and the Town Parking Committee, to establish the program as an additional stand-alone Seasonal Parking Permit, to be separate from previously established permit programs such as; the Resident One Hour permit, the Niagara-on-the-Green permit and the permits issued to residents of Queen Street.
Permit Areas of Use
This permit will allow residents who live on streets, other than Queen Street, to park one household vehicle in a metered space, where meters exist in Old Town. This is similar to the one hour resident program.
Permit Duration:
The permit would have a duration period that reflects the winter months where parking meters are used less frequently and the tourist population has decreased significantly. The recommended period at this time is
November 1
st
to
April 15
th
of each year.
Number of Permits Issued:
Only one (01) permit per household would be issued. This will reduce abuse of metered spaces and further, keep a consistent and uniform approach to existing program models.
Target Groups:
Permits would be issued to single family residences only. Bed and Breakfast, Cottage Rentals and commercial properties would not be eligible for this as they have parking provisions to which they must abide beyond this program.
Fees:
The fee for the seasonal permit would be $50 to cover all administrative costs associate with this program.
Enforcement:
Permits being used out of season or otherwise abused would be faced with permit suspension, service of parking notices or suspension from application for a new permit for a period of time or indefinitely.
The use of the “Seasonal Resident Parking Permit” would not supersede any other Town Parking By-Law regulation, including parking at metered spaces, other than those detailed on the permit. Parking is also prohibited between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6 a.m. and must not interfere with the clearing of snow (see Sections 205.01.11 and .12 of the Parking and Traffic Bylaw - 4308-09).
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Meter revenue losses are expected to be minimal as the proposed parking periods for the seasonal permits are during the times that any metered space and additional tourism traffic is at a minimum and further, the inclusion of the December free parking period.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
Once approved by Council, communications would be distributed via local newspapers and the Town website advising of the availability of the seasonal permits.
Permits will be easily identified and distinguished from other parking permits issued by the Town.
7. CONCLUSION
This pilot program is recommended in response to Council direction at its meeting of March 25, 2013. A pilot program is recommended to allow the Town an opportunity to review and assess how well the program works before implementing a permanent program.
Written by,
Dion Kedian Rolf Wiens, CET, CBCO
Supervisor of Enforcement Manager, Enforcement & CBO
Respectfully submitted,
John Henricks, MCIP, RPP Mike Galloway, MBA, CMO
Director, Community & Chief Administrative Officer
Development Services
ATTACHMENTS
Seasonal Parking Permits Map.pdf
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