Free winter parking in Picton, and fee hike, proposed
Administrator | Feb 28, 2019 | Comments 4
UPDATE: Council, at its meeting March 12, will confirm raising parking fines to $20 (if paid in seven days) and $25 (after seven days); as well as approving free parking for December 1 to March 31.
Council will review changes to parking in Picton that propose an increase to fees along with free parking all winter.
The rate for Picton street parking is suggested to increase to $1.50 per hour from $1 and the rate for Market Lane parking remain unchanged. Parking free of charge is proposed for Dec. 1 to March 31. Increases to parking fines are also proposed – to $10 from $7 paid within seven days and $15 from $10 for payment after seven days.
The report indicates the new pay station locations have raised accessibility challenges during the winter months and significant snowfalls result in restricted access before snow clearing is complete.
The Picton BIA supports the proposals with a request that free parking be extended from Nov. 1 to April 1.
Staff, at Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, is recommending its free parking dates as they coincide with the period for no parking for winter control.
Free parking has been offered in Picton during December since 1998 and for the past six years, supports the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board ‘Feed the Meter’ campaign to raise money for school snack programs.
Proposed free parking would maintain the two-hour maximum. Parking enforcement would continue for that, and for fire route, handicapped and no parking areas.
Offering free parking during Dec. 1 to March 31 would reduce annual meter revenue by approximately $18,000 and fine revenue by $5,500. The parking fee and fine increases are proposed to offset the $23,500 expected loss and increase revenue.
Current revenue for Picton street parking is listed at $74,000 with anticipated revenue at $95,000. General fines are listed at $28,000 with an anticipated revenue of $34,000.
Potential options for monthly parking permits is to be addressed in a future report.
Any adoption of a new bylaw or changes to the set fine schedule must be sent to the Ontario Court of Justice for approval prior to enactment.
Filed Under: Local News
A case could be made that all taxpayers are not treated equitably.
Yup, free parking in Bloomfield And Wellington, council continues to turn a blind eye this while continuing to charge more to park in Picton. And this from a council that says it never has enough money……
And Bloomfield and Wellington have free parking all year around.
There’s always free parking at the Post Office – or so it appears. Who owns the parking lot at the post office, and who is responsible for enforcing it’s parking rules? Can the county consider talks with Canada Post to enforce parking rules? Perhaps if the county bylaw/parking staff were allowed to enforce it, there would be more parking available for those accessing the Post Office. Thoughts?