NOVEMBER 23, 2009
CANADA
MINUTES
____________________________________________________________________________
Attendance:
Members of Council
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Regional Councillor J. Virgilio
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Regional Councillor J. Jones
Staff
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
Alan Brown, Director of
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
Ralph Bond, BA Group
Laura Cham,
The meeting was called to order at
1.
MINUTES OF
PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the minutes of the November 10, 2009 Parking Advisory Committee meeting be approved.
CARRIED
2.
Mr. Ralph
Bond, BA Group, was in attendance and distributed copies of a presentation on
the Parking Management Business Plan. Mr.
Bond noted the purpose of the presentation was to provide an overview of the
current Draft Business Plan (completed in November 2008), including the reasons
for developing the plan and its goals and objectives.
Members
were provided with details of the following:
- Parking strategy framework
- Business plan objectives
- Parking strategy objectives
for Markham Centre
- Municipal parking locations
- Existing parking programs:
supply and financials
- Operational modifications to
existing program
- Potential expansion
opportunities by Phase
- Phase 1:
- Civic Centre Employee
Parking
- Markham Theatre for the
Performing Arts
- Cedarland
- Phase 2:
- Markham Centre areas
- Phase 3:
- Other potential
opportunities:
- Financial implications of
potential expansion opportunities
- Stakeholder consultation
- Next steps
Committee raised questions, and provided
comments, as follows:
-
Concerns were expressed that some of the proposals for paid parking
expansion, as presented, appear to be more “revenue” strategies rather than
transportation demand management (TDM) initiatives. Committee members were reminded that these
strategies serve multiple objectives.
Revenue from paid parking can help pay for future programs, services or
improvements (establishing a stable source of revenue). At the same time, strategies can help
influence travel behaviour and have an effect on transit use.
-
It was noted that while some businesses tend to claim paid parking
discourages customers from coming in and negatively affecting their business,
there are examples of developers asking for on-street paid parking to encourage
and promote retail spaces.
In
addition, the Committee stressed the need for ongoing discussions with
businesses to avoid the potential for businesses to make ‘unleveled playing
field’ claims related to paid parking being implemented in some areas but not
others, and also applies to the charging for parking at community centres.
Therefore,
the Committee noted the importance of presenting the rationale and evidence
that parking strategies will not negatively impact businesses. In addition, Members stressed the importance of
outlining plans to reinvest the parking revenues and possibilities discussed included
beautification and streetscape enhancement programs.
-
Committee inquired about the exclusion of Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall/
McDowell Gate area from the Business Plan, where parking demand has been
observed to be high, especially on the weekend.
o Area has been previously identified in area though not looked at in
detail for further discussion.
ACTION: Area will be further studied
and if potential for paid parking is identified area will be included in
Business Plan.
-
Committee also expressed concern regarding the exclusion of
o Community centres included are noted to have parking issues, e.g.
o While there is a potential issue of equal consideration or standards to
all community centres, parking issues may be different and should be understood
for each centre.
o The Town will look at all community centres and will require individual
discussions with each centre.
-
Committee discussed the potential of implementing a “
-
Committee inquired about the implementation of converting municipal
parking lots near Markham and Unionville Main Streets, earlier or with a higher
priority than stated in the Business Plan.
o Committee noted that the locations can be a starting point – compared to
an “all or nothing” approach – as there would still be other free spaces
available, and that currently the lots are municipal-owned, noting whether
these can be implemented more easily without significant approvals from local
retailers.
o Members were advised that implementation would depend on the level of
public consultation to be achieved, and that the recommendation would be not to
start with these areas/strategies right away but rather include a
recommendation in the Business Plan to further develop and detail a plan prior
to any implementation.
o Committee generally in favour of pursuing implementing changes to
municipal-owned lots in early years/phase of Business Plan, and would like to
see these strategies in the Business Plan.
o Further discussions on schedule of implementation and consultation are
required.
-
Members noted that the Business Plan is currently lacking recommendations
on TDM strategies and it needs to include a clearer and more defined link
between parking and TDM initiatives that focus on getting people used out of
their cars.
A
member noted that one of the major complaints to
-
Committee inquired about whether the current Pay and Display machines supported
the possibility of offering discounts on-street paid parking, for example,
merchants to offer parking voucher to paying customers. Members were advised that current P&D machines
are capable of accepting tokens which could be offered by retailers to their
customers. The machines would need to be
calibrated for such tokens and exact details of programs would need to be
developed.
-
With regards to stakeholder consultation, concern was expressed that some
business groups may not fully understand the business plan and potentially
derail program. Discussions were noted on stakeholder consultation may have to
be targeted and that based on lessons learned, it may be beneficial to have
discussions with BIAs, major centres and other key businesses, before having a
full, general public consultation meeting.
o Business Plan needs to have a more detailed consultation process –
include a strategy / approach to positively engage stakeholders.
-
J. Livey requested that the Business Plan and Parking Strategy build in
references and ties to the Town’s sustainability initiatives, and specifically
the Green Print Imitative.
3.
Mr.
Mr. Hollingworth noted that the parking recommendations
in the draft report have remained fundamentally the same as previously
presented to the Committee, with the exception of a new recommendation on
stakeholder consultation and minor changes to the strategies based on comments
received. Members were advised that the
draft report presents more background information on these recommendations, and
it is a standalone report even though it includes details from the Business
Plan. In addition, Mr. Hollingworth
pointed out that the draft report includes templates for new parking standards,
based on the major development areas discussed; however these do not include
proposed standards and are for discussion purposes only. Proposed standards still need to be vetted
through various staff/departments.
The Parking Management Strategy update presentation
provided members with details of the following:
·
Reasons for implementing a paid parking programs
·
Challenge in working with BIAs – recommend “kitchen-table” approach
·
Disconnect between present issues and future development
·
Example of parking surface constraints – finding a balance
·
Actual experience and current parking standards
·
General recommendations / themes to parking standards
·
Drive-thrus
·
Governance options
Mr. Hollingworth summarized that
recommendations focus on providing reasonable minimum parking standards,
implementing parking maximums, introducing adjustment factors related to
proximity to transit and TDM, and providing users with clear information.
With respect to drive-thrus, Mr. Hollingworth
advised that the Town is currently working on drive-thru design guidelines,
which will be provided to the DSC committee in December 2009, and that the
Parking Management Strategy will suggest standards for two categories:
restaurants and restaurants with drive-thrus.
The latter will likely provide for fewer parking spaces.
Members were advised of governance options,
with details on the advantages and disadvantages of various alternatives
discussed in the draft Parking Management Strategy report provided at the
meeting. Recommendations in the draft
report are consistent with the current draft Business Plan, which includes the
appointment of Parking Manager dedicated to implementing the Parking Strategy
and continuing to work with a Parking Advisory Committee in the short term
while considering the development of a Parking Authority in the long term.
Members discussed next steps, noting that the
period for stakeholder consultation should be expanded. Committee requested
staff to prepare a consultation plan and timelines.
Staff requested to meet with Members in
December to discuss the Business Plan and Parking Strategies with options and recommendations
prior to meeting with Council in January 2010.
4.
The next meeting of the Parking Advisory Committee is scheduled for:
To be determined.
ADJOURNMENT
The Parking Advisory Committee adjourned at