TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 14, 2025 Report No. EPW-25-008
TO: Council
FROM: Charles Davie, Manager of Engineering
SUBJECT: Town Centre - Side Street Parking Restrictions
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Approve Traffic Orders 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364, 1365, 1366, 1367, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376, 1377, 1378, 1380 and 1381; and
2. Rescind Traffic Orders 382, 585, 658, 782, 802, 867,1228, 1229, 1296, 1303, 1327, 1328,1329, and 1336
as detailed in Staff Report EPW-25-008.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to implement parking changes to support Esquimalt downtown core area by creating new parking spaces and increasing parking turnover to improve residential and business access. These parking changes look to primarily implement Two Hour Limited Time Parking with some One Hour Time Limited zones, Thirty Minute Limited Time Parking zones, Fifteen Minute Time Limited zones, and accessible parking where warranted. Staff have also included revisions to the time-of-day restrictions of existing traffic orders to have uniformity within the core.
BACKGROUND:
The Esquimalt Road Active Transportation and Underground Improvements Project is a project identified in the Township’s Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) to add quick-build protected bike lanes on Esquimalt Road from Canteen Road to Dominion Road. In addition, the project includes sewer and drain main repairs. The project is split into the following two phases:
• Phase 1 - Dominion Road to Joffre Street
• Phase 2 - Joffre Street to Canteen Road
Early during the concept development phase of this project, concerns were raised by businesses and residents regarding impacts from removing parking on Esquimalt Road to accommodate quick build bike lanes, particularly surrounding the core business area in Phase 2. Through the design phase, staff identified several existing parking restrictions that appeared to be out of date, not representative of adjacent land uses and could be changed to allow public and business use. These zones were focused on either side of Esquimalt Road from Constance Avenue to Fraser Street within a reasonable walk of our downtown core.
As a part of the engagement for Phase 2 of the project, feedback was gathered on potential parking locations, time limits, and desired specialty zones such as loading zones and accessible parking spaces. At the April 7, 2025, Council meeting, Council received the What We Heard Report on this engagement and directed staff to complete Traffic Orders in 2025 for proposed parking changes off Esquimalt Road (see Staff Report EPW-25-005 for further details).
Utilizing the feedback received during Phase 2 engagement, along with a thorough review of the current parking restrictions, staff identified several changes in the core area off Esquimalt Road to help with parking availability in this area. All proposed parking changes are shown on the map in Attachment 1. Further, these changes require Traffic Orders, which are shown in Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS:
To develop the changes shown in the Traffic Order Map in Attachment 1, Engineering staff reviewed feedback from residents, strata, customers and businesses and reviewed existing parking restrictions, duration, time-of-day and enforcement throughout the review area. Staff noted variations in start/end time and days of the week that restrictions were in place and identified the need for more uniformity within the core. Having consistent parking restrictions and enforcement allows residents and visitors more predictable use of street parking, that increases vehicle turnover and allows for more available parking spaces during peak times.
As identified in the What We Heard Report, Two Hour Limited Time Parking is the most desired time restriction (67% of online survey). Staff support this parking restriction as is reflected with (75) - Two Hour Limited Time Parking spaces in the proposed Traffic Orders (Attachment 2). Other uses within the downtown core are still warranted including One Hour Limited Time Parking zones, Thirty Minute and Fifteen Minute Limited Time Parking zones (general pickup/loading zones), and Accessible Parking zones. These zones are included in the proposed Traffic Orders (Attachment 2) with the addition of (3) - One Hour Limited Time spaces, (3) - Fifteen Minute Limited Time Parking spaces (general pickup/loading zones) and (1) Accessible Parking space with potential for more in the future. Along with changes to the time/day restrictions of (8) - One Hour Limited Time Parking spaces and (3) - Thirty Minute Limited Time Parking spaces. All of these changes are intended to increase access to parking in the core area through the addition of parking spaces and with increased turnover of those spaces using time restrictions. These proposed changes align with the Integrated Parking Management Strategy, to “update time limitations in Town Centre”.
Through the Manager of Economic Development, businesses in the area were notified of the proposed changes and given a short window to provide feedback. Some changes were made following this feedback, including the addition of two parking spaces on the east side of Constance Avenue, immediately north of Esquimalt Road, and changing Two Hour Limited Time Parking on the east side of Grenville to One Hour Limited Time Parking. The reason for the limited window for feedback was with the aim of implementing the changes this summer; however, staff will continue to monitor and receive feedback on these changes and adjust parking restrictions to suit changes in use/need to best support business and public access.
Summary of Traffic Orders changes:
1. That Council approve:
• 1361 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the west side of Admirals Road commencing 9m southwest of Esquimalt Road and continuing south for 110m;
• Traffic Order 1362 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the west side of Comerford Street commencing 14m south of Esquimalt Road and continuing south for 52m;
• Traffic Order 1363 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the south side of Carlisle Avenue commencing 9m east of Park Place and continuing east for 98m;
• Traffic Order 1364 - “No Parking” on the north side of Carlisle Avenue commencing 45m west of Fraser Street and continuing for 55m;
• Traffic Order 1365 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the north side of Carlisle Avenue commencing 15m west of Fraser Street and continuing for 30m west;
• Traffic Order 1366 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the west side of Constance Avenue commencing 9m south of Esquimalt Road and continuing south for 134m;
• Traffic Order 1367 - “No Parking” signage be installed on the east side of Constance Avenue commencing 9m north of Miles Street and continuing north for 32m;
• Traffic Order 1368 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Constance Avenue commencing 41m north of Miles Street and continuing north for 139m;
• Traffic Order 1369 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Comerford Street commencing at Carlisle Avenue and continuing north for 52m;
• Traffic Order 1370 - “Fifteen Minute Limited Time Parking”, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm signage be installed on the west side of Comerford Street commencing 6m south of Esquimalt Road and continuing south for 8m;
• Traffic Order 1371 - “Fifteen Minute Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Comerford Street commencing 9m south of Esquimalt Road continuing south for 21m;
• Traffic Order 1372 - “Accessibility Parking” signage be installed on the east side of Grenville Avenue commencing 9m north of Esquimalt Road continuing north for 7m;
• Traffic Order 1373 - “One Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Grenville Avenue commencing 16m north of Esquimalt Road continuing north for 11m;
• Traffic Order 1374 - “Thirty Minute Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the west side of Grenville Avenue commencing 9m north of Esquimalt Road continuing north for 38m;
• Traffic Order 1375 - “One Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Park Place commencing 9m from the intersection of Carlisle Avenue and continuing north for 12m;
• Traffic Order 1376 - “One Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Park Place commencing 53.5m from the intersection of Carlise Avenue and continuing north for 21m;
• Traffic Order 1377 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Constance Avenue commencing 9m from Esquimalt Road and continuing north for 11m;
• Traffic Order 1378 - “No Parking” signage be installed on the east side of Constance Avenue commencing 9m south of Miles Avenue and continuing south for 9m;
• Traffic Order 1380 - “Two Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Constance Avenue commencing 9m north from Astle Street and continuing north for 59m; and
• Traffic Order 1381 - “One Hour Limited Time Parking, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm” signage be installed on the north side of Carlisle Avenue commencing 9m from the intersection of Park Place and continuing east for 17m.
2. That Council rescind:
• Rescind Traffic Order 1228 for “No parking” curb markings be installed on the westerly side of Admirals Road commencing at the southern limit of Esquimalt Road and continuing southerly to a point 31m south of the north easterly limit of Lot A Plan VIP27908;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1229 for “Parking is permitted for One hour 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday” on the west side of Admirals Road commencing at a point 31m south of the northern limit of Lot A Plan VIP27908 and continuing south to the southerly limit of Lot 183 Plan VIP2854;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1303 for “Limited time - 1 Hour parking Only from 10 am to 9 pm” along 522 and 526 Admirals Road (west side);
• Rescind Traffic Order 382 for “Parking is Prohibited at all times” on that portion of the westerly side of Comerford Street fronting on Lot 254 of Plan 2854”;
• Rescind Traffic Order 585 for “Parking is Prohibited at all times” on the west side of Comerford Street from the North Boundary of Lot 254, Plan 2854, Esquimalt District, to the southerly Boundary of Esquimalt Road;
• Rescind Traffic Order 867 “Residential Parking Only” is allowed on the southerly side of Carlisle Avenue from the extension southerly of the easterly side of Park Place to the intersection of Carlisle Avenue with Fraser Street;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1327 “No Parking” on the north side of Carlisle Avenue commencing at the intersection of Fraser Street and continuing west for 89m;
• Rescind Traffic Order 802 “Parking is prohibited at all times” on the westerly side of Constance Avenue from the northerly boundary of Lyall Street to the southerly boundary of Esquimalt Road;
• Rescind Traffic Order 658 “Parking is prohibited at all times” on the easterly side of Constance Avenue from the northerly boundary of Esquimalt Road to the northerly extremity of Constance Avenue;
• Rescind Traffic Order 782 “Two hour limited parking between 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., from Monday to Saturday, both inclusive, shall be placed on the easterly side of Comerford Street from the northerly boundary of Carlisle Avenue to the southerly boundary of Esquimalt Road”;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1296 for “30 Minute Limited Time Parking Restriction” signage be installed along the west side of Grenville Avenue between Esquimalt Road and Park Terrace;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1329 for “One Hour Parking Only Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Park Place commencing 9m from the intersection of Carlisle Avenue and continuing north for 12m;
• Rescind Traffic Order 1336 for “One Hour Parking Only Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm” signage be installed on the east side of Park Place commencing 53.5m from the intersection of Carlisle Avenue and continuing north for 21m; and
• Rescind Traffic Order 1328 for “One Hour Parking Only Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm” signage be installed on the north side of Carlisle Avenue commencing 9m from the intersection of Park Place and continuing east for 17m.
By issuing these traffic orders, the Township can enforce the Two Hour Limited Time Parking, One Hour Limited Time Parking, Thirty Minute Limited Time Parking, 15 Minute Limited Time Parking, Accessible Parking restrictions as per Part IV, Division 1, section 14(a), 14(c), 14(k) of the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council approve and rescind the respective parking restriction Traffic Orders as detailed in Staff Report EPW-25-008.
2. That Council request additional information from staff.
3. That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Engaged and Healthy Community
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Traffic Orders implementation, paint changes, and enforcement are relatively low costs per location. The overall cost to implement is expected to be between $6,000 and $10,000 and can be accommodated within the current operational budgets for the various departments that will be involved in the issuing of the Traffic Orders.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
Engagement on parking restrictions was completed as part of the engagement for Esquimalt Road Phase 2. Further notification to businesses was completed through the Manager of Economic Development. Feedback received is reflected in the proposed changes in Attachment 1.
If Traffic Orders are approved, community communications will be issued through social media, website, and newsletters. Also, letters to directly adjacent properties notifying them of the change will be distributed. After the signage has been installed, the users of on-street parking will be given a one-week grace period before tickets will be issued.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Once approved, staff will implement signage based on operational availability and issue communications described above.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Joel Clary, Director of Engineering and Public Works, Reviewed
2. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
3. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
4. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1 - Traffic Order Map
2. Attachment 2 - Traffic Order 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364, 1365, 1366, 1367, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376, 1377, 1378, 1380, 1381