Aurora considers lifting winter on-street parking restrictions this winter

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 19, 2016
Teresa Latchford

Aurora residents will be able to park on the street this winter if council gives the green light.

In May, council supported the implementation of a pilot project that would suspend winter overnight parking bylaws, except during snow storms, from Nov. 15, 2016 to April 15, 2017. During the pilot project period, residents will be able to park their vehicles on the street, which was previously prohibited during the winter season to allow for proper snow removal.

During a snowfall, bylaw officers will be making the rounds when the town requires vehicles removed from streets to permit plowing, the staff report states.

To make a smooth transition from the former winter parking restrictions, the town will communicate to residents prior to and during the pilot project, replace existing winter overnight parking restriction information signs with new signs asking residents to keep their vehicles off the street when snow is falling, and consult with Ottawa staff to learn from the city’s experience with their winter parking operations.

Residents will be informed of a snow event through the use of local media and the town’s website. A new snow hotline may also be created.

If there is repeated heavy snow over the course of the winter season, council would have the option to cancel the pilot project to avoid high windrows, damage to parked vehicles due to plowing and public safety issues.

However, the report warns the pilot project, if approved, won’t come without its challenges.

“On-street parking demand is expected to increase during the pilot project, and consequently increase conflict and compromise safety,” the report continued. It is expected that (residents) will take their chances by leaving their vehicles on the street and worry about an alternative plan only when it snows.

Town staff is anticipating an increased number of resident complaints about vehicles parked too long on the street, resulting in large piles of snow left behind from the plow while clearing the street and complaints about people parking in front of a neighbour’s house instead of their own to avoid windrow.

Data will be collected throughout the pilot to determine if the project was a success.

While the project won’t impact the operations budget, the town may lose out on $85,000 in revenue from parking fines.

Council is set to make its final decision at the Oct. 25 meeting.