An update to Yorkton’s Traffic Bylaw which received first reading Nov. 21, returned to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council for second and third readings Monday.
Public Notice following first reading had limited response, but the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce did speak to the bylaw Monday.
The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce asked its members if any of them were concerned that the Proposed Traffic Bylaw would have a negative or positive impact on their businesses, Juanita Polegi, Manager with the local Chamber told Council.
“Very little was received, therefore, the Chamber considers this to be an indication that the proposed bylaw will have a neutral impact on the business community,” she said.
In the responses received, the Chamber did receive some suggestions with regards to parking that it wishes to pass on to Council:
*More signage is required indicating the hours and days when paying at a parking meter or a multi space pay station is exempt
*Initiate a Parking Needs Assessment in a defined area from Front Street to Smith Street and from Betts Avenue to Sixth Avenue. The assessment would identify the parking needs for three categories of users: Owner’s; Staff and Customers; and Clients
*Multi Space Pay Stations were specifically mentioned by one respondent who is in favour of them as they enable people to park anywhere downtown within a specific time frame.
Over the past few months the City had endeavoured to review and amend the Traffic Bylaw, including a review of our current fees and paid parking options. Currently we have thirteen 15-Minute Meters for on-street parking in the downtown area and approximately 108 meter heads in four downtown parking lots which are designated as meter paid parking or Permit parking.
“Administration agrees with Council’s suggestion from the November 21st, 2016 Council Meeting that changing and adapting where the meters are placed will be more beneficial to downtown businesses and customers,” said City Bylaw Coordinator Nicole Baptist. “…Administration believes that the 15-Minute Meters facilitate parking for short visits and should be used on blocks where fewer spots are available throughout the day. Administration had the Parking Enforcement Officer document throughout a week to determine how many spots are available at different times of the day.”
Baptist also outlined a number of amendments to clean up the Bylaw from that submitted in November.
Several other items relating to wording were pointed out by Council Monday. As a result the readings were tabled until the first meeting in January to allow for a fully revised document to be presented to Council.
