The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022-105, dated March 2, 2022, recommending approval of seasonal parking restrictions in the Victoria Park neighbourhood. It was noted that the Committee was in receipt of a written submission from L. and G. Brooks.
A. McCrimmon-Jones presented the background to the report, speaking to the complaints received and issued observed in the area of Victoria Park during peak parking demand that resulted in congestion, road rage, and impacts on the response of emergency vehicles. A. McCrimmon-Jones explained that in October 2021, the Council implemented an interim emergency measure to restrict parking during peak times to mitigate the impacts of emergency vehicles accessing the area. A. McCrimmon-Jones highlighted that 100 notices had been sent to the affected residents and that the City had received comments in support and opposition to the proposed parking restrictions and requests from residents for an approach that considered parking for evening and weekend visitors. A. McCrimmon-Jones noted that the staff recommendation, as amended in collaboration with Councillor D. Chapman, would incorporate the community's feedback and formalize the parking restrictions in the area of Victoria Park neighbourhood.
In response to questions from the Committee, A. McCrimmon-Jones confirmed the City had received no opposition from businesses operating in the area, and By-law Services had brought no enforcement matters to their attention. B. Cronkite explained that the City used parking programs in the areas around hospitals but that the issue in this circumstance was the volume of parking and stated permits would not be sufficient to address the safety concerns created in the area. B. Cronkite further reported the importance of consistent parking restrictions throughout the area to avoid confusion and potentially shifting the safety concerns elsewhere. Staff further discussed the role of parking volume as a traffic-calming tool, considerations for the opposite side of Victoria Park where the roads had been designed differently, and spoke to measures that might be used to address concerns during the summer months.
Councillor D. Chapman moved a revision to the staff recommendation contained in Development Services Department report DSD-2022-105 to amend the prohibited times and months to provide greater flexibility for evening and weekend parking for area residents.