CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington will put a pause on the idea of paid parking in downtown Fergus and Elora for 2025.
And the township will commence the process to move from the provincial offences model to administrative monetary penalty system (AMP) when it comes to parking tickets.
CAO Dan Wilson presented the 2025 parking strategy to council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 19 as part of the 2025 pre-budget meetings.
In June of 2023, staff retained R.J. Burnside and Associates to develop a municipal parking strategy. In February 2024, council endorsed the recommendation to continue with parking enforcement in the two downtowns, and the free shuttle program for the 2024 tourist season.
The remaining items from the strategy are coming to council as part of 2025 pre-budget meetings.
Wilson said adopting the AMP system will bring some revenue to the township and puts parking solutions in the township’s own ballpark.
The AMP system is township administered. Payments go to the township and the appeal process does not go through the judicial system.
It is seen as being cost-effective and customer-friendly for minor offences like parking tickets. And it can be administered in-house at no extra cost to the township.
Council approved this change and staff expect to have the AMP system operating by January.
The parking strategy suggests extending the three-hour parking limit year-round, instead of just through the summer, and this was also approved.
Wilson said the township will finish the year with Alpha Parking Solutions doing parking enforcement, but for 2025, parking enforcement will be done in-house.
According to Burnside’s data, downtown Elora is in need of more parking now and Fergus will need more parking by 2041.
Parking structures may be needed by 2041 and that will require setting funds aside for that purpose. Paid parking is one way to generate the revenue needed for that capital expense.
Results of a public survey, plus discussion with the Elora and Fergus BIAs, suggest residents and businesses don’t want paid on-street parking.
If anyone should pay, it should be tourists, some explained in the survey.
Of the 684 people who filled out the survey, 186 (27%) said no to paid parking, and yes to paying for parking infrastructure from the tax base.
Forty-seven respondents (6%) said visitors and residents should pay for parking and 451 (66%) said visitors should pay for parking and residents should park for free.
According to Wilson’s report, “the Elora BIA is open to paid parking, but the Fergus BIA is concerned that paid parking might deter visitors who come for quick errands, like doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping.
“They fear people might avoid the downtown if they must pay for parking. In contrast, tourists in Elora are more likely to accept paying for parking.”
Wilson said staff could use 2025 to establish bylaws and policies around paid parking and roll them out “in small, gradual steps,” potentially in 2026.
“We could start with a pilot program,” he said.
The free downtown shuttle bus program has been a success, he said. Visitors are parking on the outskirts of town and taking the shuttle to their destination.
Some residents are using the shuttle to get from one town to the next as well.
Given that, staff are considering extending the service by adding Fridays to the mix (buses currently run Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays), extending the service through October, and adding a second bus at peak times.
“We will look at options and look for funding partners,” Wilson said. “We rely on funding partners to make the program work.”
In terms of increasing parking spaces, Wilson said staff are looking at Bissell Park and hope to determine in 2025 if people are willing to park there or if it’s too far from where they want to be.
Councillor Bronwynne Wilton didn’t want the gravel parking lot to be paved over.
“We seem addicted to paving things,” she said, adding the park is on a flood plain.
Wilson said with parking in short supply in Elora, staff will look at every possibility. Bissell Park, “even if it’s unpaved, should be considered,” he said.
Council received the report for information. It will return to council for approval during the 2025 budget process.
