Parking at centre of potential changes for Georgina beaches this summer
Town considers dedicating portion of combined 591 spots at 5 pay-and-dispaly lots to resident-only parking
Yorkregion.com
April 16, 2019
Heidi Riedner
Dedicated resident-only spaces at all pay-and-display parking facilities in Georgina is one among a series of broad recommendations being tabled this week to deal with overcrowding issues at local beaches.
“The number of spaces at each location will be assessed by staff, while considering maximum utilization of available spaces to prevent overflow traffic on area streets, loss of revenue, accessible parking provisions and the health and safety of staff,” states a three-page report on the council meeting agenda for April 17.
If approved, “a loss in revenue will occur when migrating parking spaces from public use to resident-only use” at De La Salle, Willow, Holmes Point, North Gwillimbury and Willow Wharf parks, which totalled $437,458 for 591 spaces in 2018.
While the amount of spaces to be reserved for residents only is not identified, the potential revenue loss from parking fees per space ranges between $713 and $897 for De La Salle, Willow Beach and Holmes Point, followed by $260 and $389 at North Gwillimbury and Willow Wharf respectively.
Staff recommendations also include:
- A-Frame signs be erected at major entrances to the municipality to give advance notice that beachfront parking facilities are at capacity, to assist with deterring overcrowding and overflow onto roadways, which are most often restricted parking areas;
- A progressive parking enforcement approach to escalate promptly and to ensure the towing of vehicles in situations where emergency vehicle access is impacted;
- Reassigning staff to specific locations to increase visibility during peak periods;
- Reassigning municipal law enforcement duties to increase visibility during peak periods;
- Increased police visibility;
- Increased garbage collection;
- Increased maintenance of washroom facilities; and
- No cannabis or vaping signage being added to existing no smoking signage.
The report is the result of a comprehensive review prompted after a summer season of packed beaches in Georgina triggered a wave of complaints from area residents last year.
While there are no specifics attached to the terms “increased,” staff note there would be a requirement for additional funding up to $70,000, which would be included as an operating increase in the town’s 2020 proposed budget.
