Dear Editor:
On behalf of myself and other homeowners residing on York Street East in Elora, we would like to question the recent decision to relocate street parking.
As of this past week, street parking has been moved from the south side to the north side of the street. If you are taking the time to read this, you’re probably already asking “what’s the big deal?”
The issue is simple logic seems to be missing from the decision making process. I’m told this decision was made for continuity between York East, West and the new development of houses connecting the two. Here is the rub: on York West all of the residential buildings are located on the north side of the street, with ample open space for street parking on the south side in front of the Polycorp building.
On York East, residential homes line both sides of the street, with the south side being predominantly semi-detached homes. These homes rely heavily on street parking, and for the past 20-plus years they’ve enjoyed parking in front of their homes. Semi-detached homes are routinely owned by young families, and now you are asking them to cross the street repeatedly every time they leave home.
Previously these families could simply cross their front yard and load up for that day trip. Oh did I mention York Street is only days away from becoming a thru street to Wellington Road 7? The amount of traffic using our street is set to increase immensely, yet you have these families playing “Frogger” for “Continuity” (sorry for the 80’s video game reference).
It is only a matter of time until one of these small kids escape their parent’s grasp and this decision becomes life altering. Not to mention, all of the fire hydrants are located on the north side of York East. So not only have you made it more dangerous for those home owners on a daily bases, you’ve also reduced the amount of available parking. Perhaps a second cup of coffee was required before making this decision.
Tom Dickinson,
Elora