Paid Parking Management Strategy to go to Council

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, City Council will be presented with a Paid Parking Management Strategy at the regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting. This strategy outlines a comprehensive overview of the City’s existing paid parking system and makes recommendations on a future plan that will introduce a pay-by-phone application, update parking meter hardware and enforcement, implement a variable pricing model for meter and permit parking, and development of a communications plan to inform stakeholders and residents of these changes.

“Public parking is an important component of the City’s transportation strategy,” explained Councillor Debbie Hanlon, Council lead on transportation matters. “Our current system is losing money due to theft and vandalism, in addition to which we must consider how we implement our permit parking program. This strategy proposes a new model to secure parking revenue and to improve overall parking management.”

While there are both short-term and long-term actions identified in the strategy, it is important to note the City anticipates a five-year implementation period. Many of the recommendations will require public engagement and consultation prior to implementation.

Before suggested changes are implemented, City staff will focus on updating policies and by-laws to allow and support the recommended initiatives. Some of the recommended changes include:

• Using new parking meters and technology to move towards a cashless parking system
• An examination of residential and commercial parking permit system, inventory and pricing
• Creating a ‘parklette’ program that provides opportunities for business owners to rent the parking spaces in front of their business for use as an on-street patio, garden, or other attractive feature that would enhance their business, the street, and neighbourhood 

The report includes a well-researched and documented background on paid parking in St. John’s and examples of initiatives the City may wish to explore. The proposed strategy is outlined as a series of 57 recommendations and a general timeline for implementation is proposed.

Council will vote to adopt the strategy in an upcoming Council Meeting. The proposed strategy is included in the Committee of the Whole agenda for Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 and is available online.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca