CANADA
MINUTES
____________________________________________________________________________
Attendance:
Members of Council
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Regional Councillor J. Virgilio
Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Regional Councillor J. Jones
Councillor A. Chiu
Councillor D. Hamilton (non-committee member)
Staff
Alan Brown, Director of
Bill Wiles, Manager, By-law Enforcement and Licensing
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
Judy Kee, Committee Clerk
Ralph Bond, BA Group
The meeting was called to order at
1.
MINUTES OF
PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the minutes of the November 23, 2009 Parking Advisory Committee meeting be approved.
CARRIED
2.
Mr.
· recap of parking strategy milestones to date
· issues/opportunities raised to date
· proposed (draft) parking standards
· governance options
· next steps
Members were reminded that the Draft Parking Strategy and Business Plan had been submitted to the Committee in November of 2009 for its review and comments, and these documents, along with the associated recommendations, had been generally well received. Further comments or concerns were invited.
It was noted that
many areas within the Town of
Committee was advised that staff plan to present the Parking Management Strategy and the Business Plan to the Development Services Committee in early 2010, at which time the recommendations will be thoroughly reviewed.
Copies of the documents, “Appendix A – (Draft for Discussion Only) Review of Parking Standards and Comparison with Other Jurisdictions”, and “Appendix B – (Draft for Discussion Only) Draft Parking Standards” were distributed. Mr. Hollingworth briefly reviewed the proposed standards, including the following:
· build on existing standards
· introduce different standards by urban structure type
· include parking maximums
· include bicycle parking standards, and
· include adjustment factors for TDM, proximity to rapid transit, etc.
Committee briefly discussed the Town’s building standards with reference to mixed retail locations, and it was noted that the parking maximums being recommended are quite generous.
Members were advised that staff will come back to Council in early 2010 regarding the Markham Centre Parking Strategy, in addition to the Pathways & Trails Master Plan and the Cycling Master Plan.
Committee expressed concern that a paid parking program should not be seen as a “cash grab” and reiterated that the Town’s parking strategy should support the Town’s growth management, Green Print (sustainability), transportation demand management, and transit objectives. Members also agreed that future parking revenues should be invested in the Town’s business improvement areas (BIA’s), to provide for the improvement of streetscapes and facades, etc. which would help to encourage businesses to locate in the downtown areas. The importance of marketing the parking strategy to the public was stressed, and staff was requested to clearly incorporate all of these objectives in the report to Council, including the Town’s desire to encourage cycling and to decrease the number of cars on the roads.
Mr. Greg McCormick, Unionville BIA, was in attendance and requested that Unionville not be a target for expansion, and asked that it not be treated like Langstaff or Markham Centre. The Chair pointed out that at this time the Town-wide issue is paramount, and that specific areas would not be dealt with at this time.
3. PARKING MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE OPTIONS
Mr.
· maintaining the status quo with respect to the Parking Advisory Committee
· expanding representation on advisory committee to include the private sector
· establishing a parking corporation or Parking Authority
· establishing a distinct Parking Department or division
· establishing a Parking District (for specific areas)
· designating a full time Parking Manager
Following some discussion, staff was requested to further explore the Parking Authority option and the Parking Department option, however, Committee suggested that additional options could also include “Council alone” or a “non-Council body”. Some concern was expressed that Council may lose control if a Parking Authority was established, and it was suggested that a combination of a Parking Authority and a Parking Department might be feasible. The pros and cons of each were requested.
In addition, staff was requested to provide information on the following:
·
staffing costs related to both a
Parking Authority and a Parking Department, i.e. Parking Manager, a President,
or a
· proposed relationship with the Town’s current By-law Enforcement Department
· reporting structure; i.e. would Parking Manager report to current Manager of By-Law Enforcement, or to Commissioner of Community Services; where do they fit into context of the municipality?
· a number of models and a governance structure for the Parking Authority
· future structured parking
The status of the
Parking Authority in the City of
It was suggested that staff meet with the Parking Advisory Committee Chair and the consultants to discuss these issues, and staff advised that the information requested will be provided in the New Year. Staff also advised that private partnerships are being discussed.
Mr. Hollingworth noted that from the discussion this date, the next steps would include:
· consultations with the BIA’s
· follow-up regarding governance and costs, and
· allocation of funds in the Capital Budget
Members agreed that further discussion was required before a recommendation could be made by this Committee to Council. The Committee Clerk was requested to schedule a meeting in January and advise all Members.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the presentation by Mr.
CARRIED
4. PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM
Mr. Bill Wiles, Manager, By-Law Enforcement and Licensing, provided an overview of the Town’s current Parking Permit Program, including: Parking Prohibitions; Types of Parking Permits; the History of the Permit Program; Administration of the Program; and Future Plans. Copies of the presentation were distributed.
Mr. Wiles also distributed brochures regarding a new volunteer parking
program to assist emergency vehicle access.
The problem of emergency access is particularly
difficult during the winter months as snow begins to accumulate along the curb
lanes. This new winter parking safety program started November 30 and continues
until
The program is very straight
forward and requires all residents to park only on the odd numbered side of
residential streets during this period.
Members discussed overnight parking and related costs in the Cornell and
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the presentation of the Manager of By-Law Enforcement and Licensing
regarding the Parking Permit Program be received.
CARRIED
5. PAID
Mr. Bill Wiles,
Manager, By-Law Enforcement and Licensing, provided an update on the current
situation on some private parking lots in the Main Street Unionville area. Members were advised that a private property
owner had installed parking meters on their site, however, the Town’s current
by-law prohibits this and steps had been taken to have them removed.
Committee discussed the following:
·
private owners: by-law requirements; placement of barriers; feasibility
of charging for private spaces (reference to City of
·
action of most other municipalities to eliminate by-law removing
prohibition on paid parking; this makes parking work better
·
Hilton Suites Hotel,
·
site plan control agreements; amendments recommended relating to access
to properties; mutual access
·
feasibility of a “general by-law”; this could exempt some of the more
sensitive areas
·
there would be an advantage in implementing pay parking in some of the
commercial projects in the Town, i.e. paid parking for closer parking spaces at
Mr. Greg McCormick, Unionville BIA, was in attendance and provided
comments in objection to paid parking on Main Street Unionville:
·
expressed concern regarding the length of time it took to correct the pay
parking machine issue on Main Street Unionville
·
advised that he would be pleased to work with By-law Enforcement staff in
the future on such matters
·
pointed out that not everything that happens in City of
·
BIA wants to encourage people to stay longer in Unionville
·
acknowledged expertise provided by Town’s consultants; however, suggested
that the Town seek alternative advice relating to parking in the Town
Mr. Edward Mariani was in attendance to express his concerns relating to
the parking situation on Main Street Unionville. He advised that he has two lots in Unionville
which provide parking for tenants who pay for the parking service and
maintenance. Often the tenants lose
their parking spots during the day, requiring them to park on the street and
consequently get tickets. He advised
that he is in support of paid parking, and referenced other small towns that
have paid parking, noting that the businesses there are flourishing.
Committee agreed that Mr. Mariani’s concerns were legitimate and that a
“made in Unionville” solution and a review of the by-law may be the
answer. One Member expressed concern that
a paid parking system should not be installed on the street, and another Member
suggested that paid parking be available during the day only.
Ms. Tracy MacKinnon, Unionville BIA, was in attendance and advised that
only one building on
Committee directed that representatives of the Unionville BIA, owners and
other stakeholders meet with Councillor Hamilton, Regional Councillor Virgilio,
staff and consultants to look at the options available as soon as possible. Councillor Hamilton will discuss details with
staff prior to scheduling the meeting.
6.
a)
Councillor Alex
Chiu requested that the feasibility of implementing either paid parking or
permit parking on
7.
The next meeting of the Parking Advisory Committee will be scheduled for the end of January 2010, and all Members of Committee, staff and consultants will be advised of the date once confirmed.
Note: Subsequent to the meeting, the following meeting date was confirmed:
CANADA
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the meeting of the Parking Advisory
Committee be adjourned. (
CARRIED