REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
DATE: August 17, 2022 Report No. DEV-22-076
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Parking Study Update
End
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
Does the Committee of the Whole have any questions or concerns with the findings of the Parking Study to date and the proposed work plan for finishing the study?
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That it be recommended to Council that staff be directed to incorporate the feedback provided by the COTW into the workplan for the next phase of the Parking Study project and prepare a report for Council’s consideration once the draft documents are ready.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Appendices:
Appendix 1 - Working Paper No. 1 “Local Understanding and Best Practices”
Appendix 2 - Working Paper No. 2 “What We Heard” Engagement Summary”
Appendix 3 - Consultant’s Presentation
Council has authorized Urban Systems to conduct a parking study that approaches parking from an integrated framework that addresses both on-street and off-street parking. The purpose of the study is to provide Council and staff with an “On-street Parking Strategy” and a modernized “Parking Bylaw”. To help Esquimalt residents, Council, and staff better understand the complex issue of parking, the consultants have produced a Working Paper (Working Paper No. 1 Local Understanding and Best Practices”) that addresses many of the issues related to parking (Appendix 1). This Working Paper provides an overview of the existing policy and regulatory framework that currently governs parking in Esquimalt. It then reviews the results of an observational study conducted by the consultants. Finally, the Working Paper explores emerging trends and best practices related to parking.
In addition, as part of the review process, Urban Systems has conducted an extensive public consultation process that has involved an on-line survey, meeting with 10 groups that have a direct interest in parking, and conducting two public on-line meetings. The results of this consultation are found in Working Paper No. 2 “What We Heard” Engagement Summary attached to this report as Appendix 2.
Before preparing for the next round of public consultation and the drafting of the final documents, the Consultants are presenting the results of their findings to date to Council to ascertain whether Council has any concerns related to the findings so far or the proposed work plan for the rest of the project. It is important that these concerns be identified now so that the Consultants can make any necessary adjustments to their work plan for the final phases of the project.
ISSUES:
1) The Township does not have a comprehensive parking strategy to guide on-street parking policy.
2) The Township’s Parking Bylaw is almost 30 years old and does not reflect the contemporary or probable future realities of parking in Esquimalt.
ALTERNATIVES:
To achieve the key result (Pros & Cons)
1. That the COTW receive Staff Report No. DEV-22-076 for information, provide any additional direction to staff as the COTW considers advisable, and direct staff to prepare a report for Council’s consideration once the draft documents are ready.
2. That the COTW provide alternative direction to staff.
3. That the COTW request further information from staff.