Councillor Kearn’s and Mike Weir completed a walking tour of the downtown in summer and discussed long-term strategies for parking in the downtown.
Additionally, on behalf of the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) the following BDBA motion was tabled:
To waive parking fees for the first ninety minutes for all public on-street and off-street parking assets Downtown as a temporary emergency recovery measure. That the cost for the offset of these fees be expensed to the City’s Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund or Parking Reserve Fund. Further, that this operational change be implemented as soon as possible.
Discussion items:
• Review of the Business Intelligence data:
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- the area of Brant Street from Caroline to Lakeshore during the paid period of 9 am – 6 pm, the parking average per hour was 27.4 minutes and on weekends 28.4 minutes. During December Free P it was 34.5 minutes average/hour.
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- the area of Village Square during the paid period of 9 am – 6 pm, the parking average per hour was 28.5 minutes and on weekends 27.5 minutes. During December Free P it was 35 minutes average/hour.
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- Some spots were showing 11-minute occupancy to 55-minute occupancy.
• What is the frequency of parking in each situation, 10-15-minute parkers (long-term and short-term parker) and the number of stays over the 1 hour, 2 hour and 3 hours?
• It is a necessary from a customer service perspective that costs on-street/lots should remain consistent to avoid confusion. i.e. each on-street segment should not have different pricing structure.
Action: Parking Staff to review reporting options and provide update at the next meeting.
The following motion was tabled for a vote:
At the request of the BDBA, the DPC request that the City of Burlington waive the parking fees for 90 minutes in any public on-street and off-street parking assets in the downtown as a temporary COVID emergency recovery measure and offset the impact thru the City’s Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund or Parking Reserve Fund.
IN FAVOR: (3), OPPOSED: (1), ABSTAINED: (1)
Carried (3 to 1)