Got a Stouffville parking problem? Have your say

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 23, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

Most parking violations occur on Main Street and within the downtown, according to a consultant’s report presented to town council.

Main Street accounted for 33 per cent of Stouffville’s parking violations, according to the report by LEA Consulting Inc.

Since 2011, 653 parking tickets havd been given out on Main Street, according to the report that went to councillors last week. The second highest was for vehicles on Hoover Park Drive - 145.

There are 100 on-street Main Street parking spots, with another 95 off-street spaces in the downtown, which are available to the public, according to the report.

Among the concerns noted by various stakeholders who participated in numerous meetings with the consultants, was store owners and employees parking on Main Street, “while complaining to the city for the lack of customer parking in front of the store,” according to the report.

Participating stakeholders included the mayor, some councillors as well as representatives from the municipality’s bylaw department, fire and emergency services, public works and development services. There were also people from the Stouffville Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Stouffville Working Group.

The stakeholders also noted there is no consistency or proactive parking enforcement throughout the town.

This could be attributed to the municipality having insufficient enforcement staff, according to the report. In Whitchurch-Stouffville, the annual number of parking infractions, per 1,000 people, is 38.

Comparatively, Newmarket’s rate is 78 per 1,000 people and Milton’s is 339 per 1,000. Both municipalities are deemed comparable based on size and built form, according to the report.

Other issues noted by those who participated in the consultations was the lack of long-term parking in downtown for employees and tenants, as well as GO riders utilizing Main Street, business parking and the 6240 Main St. community centre.

In school zones, there is insufficient parking on school properties, however the stakeholders noted staff could park on nearby residential streets during the day.

Parked cars block fire routes and pick up/drop off areas are “overflowing” during peak times.

When it comes to residential areas, the stakeholders claimed new developments do not have enough parking to accommodate visitors.

Draft recommendations are expected to be presented to council Jan. 19, with a final report to council April 19. A public meeting is slated for Feb. 18.