When Centre Wellington council considered its fee increases for various services on Monday in the committee of the whole, councillor Fred Morris raised what he called his “perennial” issue.
Morris is concerned that if property owners cannot provide parking when they create rental accommodations in the downtown, they are required to pay $10,000 to the township for a parking fee.
Morris called that “a potent impediment to the downtown core.”
He said it discourages people who could provide rental accommodations because of the high fee, “especially for the second and third floors.”
Treasurer Wes Snarr explained that a previous Fergus council passed the bylaw setting the fee several years before amalgamation. He said the increase reflects the 3.5% increase in costs for the planning department.
But Morris said the Fergus Business Improvement Area has stated there is plenty of parking in downtown Fergus.
Councillor Kirk McElwain added that the Elora BIA is studying the parking in downtowns in both places, and believes there is adequate parking, but it is not well marked.
Morris questioned the need for the fee, and wondered if the township is raising much money from it.
Councillor Bob Foster asked specifically how much was raised.
Township planner Brett Salmon the township received $30,000 in Elora for parking at the corner of Mill and Metcalfe, and one other owner in Fergus paid the fee.
Foster asked, “Is this good for our downtowns?”
Councillor Walt Visser replied, “It’s very good.”
He explained that the township has used the money to help buy the parking lot from Little Folks, in Elora, and he said he would “strongly suggest we continue.”
Snarr said the bylaw for Fergus states people unable to pay for or provide parking can apply for a zoning bylaw amendment that would make the fee zero. He added that “In Elora, they’re not [formally] required to supply any parking.”
He said if council wants to change that it can eliminate that part of the bylaw.
He said the proposed new bylaw cuts the fee in half, and will include parking in Elora and Fergus, and he said the township staff is trying to find a balance.
Foster wondered if there are vacancies in downtown apartments, and said council should encourage people to live in the downtown.
Salmon said if apartments there are not being used, the owners are probably exempt anyway, because the bylaw is for owners creating new residential units.
Morris said his question had at least generated more discussion this year than last, and the fees recommendation was approved.
