MAPLETON – Parking signs in downtown Drayton and Moorefield are set to be updated, but the two-hour limits are here to stay.
The new signs, which are set to direct people to municipal lots and make time restrictions and accessible spaces more clear, should be installed by the end of May, according to a report to council on Sept. 10.
On Aug. 13, Mayor Gregg Davidson presented a motion requesting a staff report exploring expanding parking signage, including “restricted time limit” signs and signs directing people to municipal parking lots and other free parking.
Staff completed a cursory review of the existing parking bylaw and downtown parking spaces, signs and time restrictions, including the Drayton Festival Theatre’s parking lot and parking instructions online.
“Bylaw enforcement does not receive many calls regarding parking issues and does not currently have any historical data on legitimate parking complaints,” the report states.
“The township can issue parking tickets but does not employ a dedicated parking enforcement officer. Enforcement rests on the availability of our local OPP department while tending to more pressing incidents.”
The report continues, “It is also important to note that there is no cost recovery in place for time spent on enforcement. Associated fees for parking tickets go to the county, and the ticket fees as well.”
“Essentially what we’ve done with our research is we’ve looked at what the theatre is currently providing for parking solutions, including a map as to where people that are attending can find parking in our community,” said Mapleton bylaw officer Rick Hobbelink.
“We looked into general signage in the downtown area, and seeing if certain updates are required … to direct people towards our free parking as well as making sure our two-hour signage is in an appropriate location.”
According to the report, staff found that existing signs need updating “to increase clarity and promote the location of our free municipal parking lot.”
However staff findings did not support increasing the two-hour parking time limit, “given the number of spaces within our municipal lots and the lack of enforcement capacity.
“The two-hour limit provides a reasonable amount of time for visitors and local community members to participate in our local community,” the report states.
“The concern with the two hour limit and changing it up in certain areas is that if we have a lot of stores or restaurants requesting these changes, it might be difficult to change a lot of locations and signage, instead of having a standard two hours, which most downtowns in the area have,” Hobbelink said.
“However if something like that is required in certain areas, that can be done, and its as simple as putting up new signage and changing the schedule in the parking bylaw and that just requires a report to council to do so.”
And without completing a full parking study, there is “no way to introduce store-specific signage to allow for delivery and pick-up at this point,” it continues. “The parking bylaw does not allow for individual signs, nor do we have the enforcement capacity.”
Councilor Marlene Ottens said she thinks many people coming to visit the Drayton Festival Theatre don’t realize “there’s a giant parking lot on the other side of that building,” so signage be installed to make that clear. She also inquired about private parking lots, such as the one at RBC.
“We all know the bank doesn’t need them evenings and weekends – is there something we can do about that?
“That might help keep people away from parking on the street in front of people’s homes, which I think is the big issue here.”
Hobbelink said that’s something township staff can discuss with the landowners.
