2.             BYWARD MARKET LOCAL AREA PARKING

 

ÉTUDE SUR LE STATIONNEMENT LOCAL DANS LE SECTEUR DU

MARCHÉ BY

 

 

Committee Recommendations as amended

 

That Council:

 

1.         Receive the ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study Summary Report (Document 1).

 

2.         Recommend that staff not go forward with the study of banning free on-street parking on Sundays and holidays; and if the stakeholders request paid parking on Sundays and holidays, that the decision to implement that be done at Transportation Committee.

 

 

RecommandationS modifiéeS du comité

 

Que le Conseil municipal :

 

1.         prenne connaissance du rapport sommaire sur l’étude sur le stationnement local dans le marché By (document 1).

 

2.         Que le personnel n’amorce pas létude sur labolition de la gratuité du stationnement sur rue les dimanches et jours fériés; et si les intervenants demandent de rendre le stationnement payant les dimanches et jours fériés, que la décision à cet effet soit prise par le Comité des transports.

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.                  Deputy City Manager, City Operations report dated 29 June 2011 (ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0010).

 

2.         Extract of Draft Minutes, 29 June 2011.

 

Report to / Rapport au :

 

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

29 June 2011 / le 29 juin 2011

 

Submitted by / Soumis par :

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjoint

City Operations / Opérations municipales

 

Contact Person / Personne resource:

John Manconi, General Manager, Directeur général / Public Works / Travaux publics

(613) 580-2424 x 21110, john.manconi@ottawa.ca

 

Ward/Quartier - 12 - Rideau-Vanier

Ref N°: ACS2011-COS-PWS-0010

 

SUBJECT:    BYWARD MARKET LOCAL AREA PARKING STUDY

 

 

OBJET:          ÉTUDE SUR LE STATIONNEMENT LOCAL DANS LE SECTEUR DU

                        MARCHÉ BY

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Transportation Committee recommend that Council receive the ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study Summary Report (Document 1).

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports recommande que le Conseil municipal prenne connaissance du rapport sommaire sur l’étude sur le stationnement local dans le marché By (document 1).

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Analysis

 

During consultation for the development of the Municipal Parking Management Strategy in April 2009, the need for additional parking facilities in the ByWard Market was raised by the general public and the business community.  As a result, the ByWard Market was identified as a priority area in which to undertake the first Local Area Parking Study (LAPS). 

 

As a first step towards undertaking the ByWard Market LAPS, the City carried out an update of the Central Area Parking Study, which was last updated in 2005.  In September 2009, parking supply and usage information was compiled east of the Rideau Canal for the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau areas.  The overall parking supply in the Central Area east of the Rideau Canal has remained consistent since 2005, at approximately 8,900 spaces.

 

The ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study focuses specifically on the ByWard Market core and fringe areas, and includes details on: parking duration; occupancy by specific areas and streets; the relationship between land use and short-term parking; and identification of deficiencies and areas of concern.

 

There are approximately 4,900 parking spaces in the ByWard Market study area, which includes all on-street, public off-street, and private off-street spaces: 65% of parking spaces are publicly-available (12% on-street, 53% off-street); while 35% are private (20% residential, 15% commercial).

 

On-street parking in the area is well utilized and is over capacity at peak times and days, while off-street parking utilization was found to be moderate.  Although on-street utilization is of concern, the overall short-term parking supply is sufficient to meet present levels of public parking demand, and opportunities exist to direct users to the off-street parking facilities during the periods studied.

 

As part of the consultation, stakeholders identified parking issues in the area, which were grouped into 15 topics: parking supply (opportunities to add parking, shared use parking); regulations and signage; specific days/times/blocks in detail; special parking (bicycles, motorcycles, vendor stalls); and parking garages (wayfinding, safety and security).  Each issue has been examined, including available data, a discussion on options and opportunities, a recommendation/conclusion, budget implications, and implementation timelines.  Delegated Authority (for changes to the Traffic and Parking By-law) and the Municipal Parking Management Strategy (rate setting guidelines) provide the necessary tools to process changes to parking regulations.

 

Planned and potential developments were reviewed to determine impacts on public parking supply.  Future developments could result in a potential loss of about 200 public off-street parking spaces.  In order to ensure the ongoing supply of some public parking in support of local businesses, and in alignment with the Strategy Objectives, it is recommended that efforts be made to secure a supply of publicly-available off-street parking.

 

A key finding of the LAPS is the need for improvements to wayfinding to and from parking facilities.  Off-street parking occupancy is moderate to low at times, and part of this may be a need to improve the awareness of available off-street public parking facilities.

 

The detailed analysis of parking occupancies and durations revealed that on Sundays, on-street parking is highly used, with limited turnover or opportunities for customers to find convenient parking.  Although on-street parking on Sundays and Holidays is technically “free”, convenient, short-term on-street parking for customers of the ByWard Market is difficult to find.  Prime on-street parking in the ByWard Market area is 87% occupied by 10:30 a.m., and occupancy remains above 90% for the day.  In the core area of the ByWard Market, parking turnover on Saturdays is about six times - meaning that each prime parking space potentially serves six customers over the business day; however, on Sundays the turnover is about three times.  This high occupancy and low turnover suggests that paid Sunday and Holiday on-street parking should be examined.  Focused consultation on the exact area covered, hours of paid parking and hourly rate for paid Sunday and Holiday on-street parking would need to be undertaken consistent with the Delegated Authority as per the Municipal Parking Management Strategy Rate Setting Guidelines. 

 

Legal/Risk Management Implications

 

There are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of this Report’s recommendations.

 

Technical Implications

 

There are no technical implications to the implementation of this Report’s recommendation.

 

Financial Implications

 

The 2011 Parking Operations, Maintenance and Development Branch Capital Budget includes $350,000 for the implementation of recommendations from Local Area Parking Studies. Potential revenues generated by Sunday and Holiday paid on-street parking in the ByWard Market area would need to be determined as part of the 2012 Parking Operations Budget.

 

Public Consultation

 

Primary consultation for the Local Area Parking Study was with the ByWard Market BIA and City’s Markets Management staff. Briefings have been provided to the ByWard Market Core Team (comprised of representatives from various subcommittees of the BIA, Market Vendors, Lowertown Community Association, the Ward Councillor’s office, and Markets Management staff). Ongoing consultation with local stakeholders will be carried out as per the requirements of Delegated Authority to implement changes to parking and traffic regulations as well as per the Municipal Parking Management Strategy Rate Setting Guidelines (as approved by Council in April 2009). 

 

Councillor Fleury has been briefed on the findings of the parking study and the proposed actions, and is supportive of the findings.

 

 

RÉSUMÉ

 

Analyse

 

Au cours des consultations tenues en avril 2009 dans le cadre de la Stratégie municipale de gestion du stationnement, le public et le milieu des affaires ont soulevé la nécessité d’aménager de nouveaux parcs de stationnement au marché By. Ce secteur a donc été désigné comme secteur prioritaire où lancer la première étude sur le stationnement local.

 

Comme première étape de l’étude sur le stationnement local du marché By, la Ville a procédé à une mise à jour de l’étude sur le stationnement dans le secteur central, dont la dernière remonte à 2005. En septembre 2009, les données relatives à la disponibilité et à l’utilisation des stationnements ont été compilées à l’est du canal Rideau pour les secteurs du marché By et du centre‑ville Rideau. Le nombre de places de stationnement disponibles dans le secteur central à l’est du canal Rideau n’a pas varié depuis 2005, pour un total d’environ 8 900 places.

 

L’étude sur le stationnement local au marché By porte expressément sur le secteur central et les quartiers périphériques de la ZAC du marché By. Cette étude donne des précisions sur : la durée du stationnement, l’occupation par secteurs et rues particuliers, le lien entre l’utilisation des terrains et le stationnement de courte durée, la détermination des lacunes et des zones critiques.

 

Le secteur étudié du marché By compte environ 4 900 places de stationnement, y compris toutes les places sur rue, les places hors rue publiques et hors rue privées : 65 p. cent des places de stationnement sont disponibles au public (12 p. cent sur rue, 53 p. cent hors rue), tandis que 35 p. cent sont privées (20 p. cent, stationnement résidentiel, 15 p. cent, stationnement commercial).

 

Dans ce secteur, le stationnement sur rue est bien utilisé et déborde aux périodes de pointe et au cours de la journée, tandis que l’utilisation des stationnements hors rue est modérée. Quoique l’utilisation sur rue soit problématique, la disponibilité globale du stationnement de courte durée répond à la demande en matière de stationnement public et il y a possibilité de diriger les utilisateurs vers des parcs de stationnement hors rue pendant les périodes étudiées.

 

Dans le cadre des consultations, les intervenants ont mentionné des problèmes de stationnement dans le secteur. Ces problèmes ont été regroupés en 12 points, dont la disponibilité des places de stationnement (possibilité d’aménager de nouveaux parcs, stationnement à usage partagé); les règlements et l’affichage; précisions sur des journées, heures et pâtés de maisons particuliers; garages de stationnement (enseignes directionnelles, sûreté et sécurité). Pour chacun des problèmes, on a examiné les données disponibles, discuté des options possibles, présenté des recommandations ou une conclusion, tenu compte des considérations budgétaires et de la mise en œuvre de calendriers. Le pouvoir délégué (pour les modifications à apporter au Règlement sur la circulation et le stationnement) et la Stratégie municipale de gestion du stationnement (lignes directrices relativement aux tarifs des stationnements) procurent les outils nécessaires afin de procéder à des modifications aux règlements relatifs au stationnement.

 

La croissance prévue et potentielle a été examinée afin de déterminer les répercussions sur la disponibilité des places de stationnement public. En plus des réductions du nombre de places de stationnement hors rue disponibles au public dans le secteur au cours des dernières années, en raison de la croissance, on prévoit d’autres mises en valeur qui pourraient entraîner une perte supplémentaire d’environ 200 espaces de stationnement public hors rue. Afin d’assurer la disponibilité permanente d’espaces de stationnement public pour les commerces locaux, et pour respecter les objectifs de la Stratégie, il est recommandé de veiller à assurer un nombre suffisant de places de stationnement public hors rue.

 

L’une des principales conclusions de l’étude sur le stationnement local au marché By est la nécessité d’améliorer les enseignes directionnelles en direction et en provenance des parcs de stationnement. Par moments, en effet, l’occupation des stationnements hors rue varie de modérée à faible, ce qui peut‑être dû en partie au fait que ces stationnements ne sont pas bien annoncés.

 

L’analyse détaillée de la durée de stationnement et du taux d’occupation a révélé que le stationnement sur rue était très utilisé le dimanche et que le roulement limité offrait peu de possibilités aux clients de trouver une bonne place de stationnement. Même si le stationnement sur rue est en principe « gratuit » les dimanches et les jours fériés, les clients du marché By ont de la difficulté à trouver une bonne place de stationnement pour une courte durée. Dans le secteur étudié, les meilleures places de stationnement sur rue dans le secteur du marché By sont occupées à 87 p. cent dès 10 h 30, et le taux d’occupation demeure au‑dessus de 90 p. cent durant toute la journée. Dans le secteur central du marché By, le roulement du stationnement est d’environ six fois les samedis, ce qui signifie que chaque bonne place a le potentiel d’être utilisée par six clients au cours de la journée; par contre, les dimanches, le roulement n’est que de trois fois. Ce haut taux d’occupation et ce faible roulement semblent indiquer que la possibilité de faire payer le stationnement sur rue les dimanches et les jours fériés devrait être examinée. Il faut entreprendre une consultation ciblée portant sur le secteur exact couvert par l’étude, les heures de stationnement payant et le taux horaire pour le stationnement sur rue les dimanches et les jours fériés, en accord avec le pouvoir délégué et conformément aux lignes directrices relativement aux tarifs des stationnements de la Stratégie municipale de gestion du stationnement. Jusqu’ici, l’option d’un stationnement payant les dimanches et les jours fériés n’était considérée que pour le secteur central du marché By. Bien que des conditions similaires existent dans le secteur Rideau, il faut poursuivre les consultations avec la ZAC du centre‑ville Rideau et les principaux intervenants afin de déterminer à quel point ils sont favorables à cette option. 

 

Incidences juridiques et en matière de gestion du risque

Il n’existe aucune entrave d’ordre juridique ou en matière de gestion du risque à la mise en œuvre des recommandations du présent rapport.

 

Incidences techniques

 

La mise en œuvre des recommandations de ce rapport n’entraîne aucune incidence technique.

 

Incidences financières

 

Le budget des immobilisations 2011 de la Direction de l’exploitation et de l’entretien des stationnements consacre 350 000 $ à la mise en œuvre des recommandations des études sur le stationnement local. Les revenus potentiels produits par le stationnement sur rue payant les dimanches et les jours fériés dans le secteur du marché By n’ont pas encore été déterminés dans le cadre du budget d’exploitation des stationnements de 2012.

 

Consultations publiques

 

La principale consultation portant sur l’étude sur le stationnement local a eu lieu avec la ZAC du marché By et le personnel de la Ville responsable de la gestion des marchés. Des réunions d’information ont été offertes à l’équipe de base du marché By (composée de représentants de divers sous‑comités de la ZAC, de vendeurs du marché, de l’Association communautaire Lowertown, du bureau du conseiller du quartier et du personnel responsable de la gestion des marchés).

 

Une consultation permanente sera mise sur pied avec les intervenants locaux au sujet des exigences du pouvoir délégué relativement à l’application des modifications au règlement sur la circulation et le stationnement et selon les lignes directrices sur les tarifs des stationnements de la Stratégie municipale de gestion des stationnements (tels qu’approuvés par le Conseil municipal en avril 2009).

 

Le conseiller Fleury appuie les conclusions de l’étude sur le stationnement et les mesures proposées.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

On April 22, 2009, City Council approved the Municipal Parking Management Strategy, which sets out clear principles and objectives for the City’s Parking Program.  One of the key components of the Strategy, to help guide policy decisions, is the Local Area Parking Study (LAPS).  Such studies are to be conducted for specific geographical areas in order to determine the need for, nature of and extent of municipal involvement in the provision of public parking services.

 

During consultation for the development of the Municipal Parking Management Strategy, the need for additional parking facilities in the ByWard Market was raised by the general public and the business community.  As a result, the ByWard Market was identified as a priority area in which to undertake the first Local Area Parking Study.  In addition, because of the close proximity to the ByWard Market, the Downtown Rideau BIA expressed its interest for a concurrent study.  

 

As a first step towards undertaking the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau LAPS, the City carried out an update of the Central Area Parking Study (CAPS), which was last updated in 2005.  This is a recurring technical study (since 1985) that is undertaken every four to six years to monitor general trends in parking demand and supply in the Core area.  The completion of the CAPS (East) report was a critical step, and formed the basis for the detailed, focused analysis of parking in the two areas.  The detailed report includes extensive parking supply, occupancy and duration data and analysis for all surveyed streets and blocks.  Copies of the CAPS are available from the Department.  Similarly, the LAPS were undertaken concurrently with an update of the Rideau Area Transportation Network Study (RATNS-II), as the study boundaries of these projects and the subject matter are interrelated. 

 

Interim reports for both the Local Area Parking Studies (ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau) and the RATNS-II were presented to the Transportation Committee on June 2, 2010.  The final RATNS-II report is scheduled to be presented to the Transportation Committee later in the year.  

 

ANALYSIS

 

In September 2009, parking supply and usage information was compiled east of the Rideau Canal for the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau areas.  The parking supply (short-term and long-term) includes:

 

§  On-street parking (meters/pay and display; parking compounds; angle parking; loading zones; no parking/no stopping zones, and other curb-side uses);

§  Off-street municipal parking (ByWard Market Garage, Clarence-Murray Garage); and,

§  Off-street private parking (publicly accessible parking lots; private parking lots; residential parking; and shared parking).

 

The overall parking supply in the Central Area east of the Rideau Canal has remained consistent since 2005, at approximately 8,900 spaces.

 

The ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study Technical Report expands upon the CAPS (East) report, and focuses specifically on the ByWard Market core and fringe areas.  It also focuses on public parking supply.  Residential parking and private parking have been documented but not examined in detail as this parking is generally not available in support of local businesses.  This technical report includes details on: parking duration; occupancy by specific areas and streets; the relationship between land use and short-term parking; and identification of deficiencies and areas of concern.

 

Business and Consumer Surveys were carried out within the study areas in October and November of 2009.  The Business Survey focussed on the type of business, hours of operation, perceived parking problems, and opinions on parking needs and parking enforcement.  The Consumer Survey focused on mode of travel, purpose of trip, origin of trip, length of stay, where they parked, and opinions on parking supply and enforcement.  The questions included in this survey were based on past Central Area Parking Studies (to allow for comparison) and also included several new questions.  The nature of these surveys was discussed extensively with the BIAs. 

 

Parking Occupancy, Duration and Turnover

 

Parking data collected for the ByWard Market has been analyzed based on three factors: Parking Occupancy; Parking Duration; and Turnover.

 

Parking Occupancy is the ratio of the number of vehicles parked divided by the number of spaces provided.  The chance that a customer in the area will be able to find convenient, available parking on a particular street or parking lot is a function of occupancy.  An occupancy rate of between 75% and 85% is considered to be an industry “best practice”, representing the level at which there is a reasonable opportunity for a customer to find parking.  Above this rate, additional traffic can be generated as drivers search for available parking.  Customers would need to park at less convenient locations, or potentially shop elsewhere.  Thus, an occupancy rate of 85% is considered to be the “practical capacity” of a facility.  This is a key point from the Municipal Parking Management Strategy – studies should be undertaken wherever paid occupancy rates are less than 75% or greater than 85%.

 

Duration refers to the average length of time that a vehicle remains parked on a street or in a parking lot.  The observed duration should be similar to the posted or intended time period (e.g., one hour on-street parking).  The intent of providing parking limits in commercial areas is to provide turnover of prime parking spaces, and to optimize the number of customers of a business area who can make use of a particular prime parking space.

 

Turnover is directly related to Duration, and represents the number of unique vehicles that make use of a parking space over a study period.  It represents the number of potential customers served by the space.  For example, over an eight-hour period, four customers could make use of one space in a “two hour limit” zone, whereas if that same space were designated as a “one hour limit”, up to eight customers could be served in the same time period. 

 

Analysis and Findings

 

A brief summary of the parking inventory, on-street and off-street occupancy rates, and the proportion of public parking under City jurisdiction in the BIA and fringe areas is as follows:

 

Parking Inventory:

§  There are 4,868 parking spaces in the study area, which includes all on-street, public off-street, and private off street spaces;

§  65% of parking spaces are public (12% on-street, 53% off-street) while 35% are private (20% residential, 15% commercial);

§  52% of public parking is short-term while 48% is long-term;

§  43% of the total public parking is under City jurisdiction;

§  28% of off-street public parking is under City jurisdiction; and,

§  The 590 on-street spaces represent 19% of the total public supply.

 

On-Street Occupancy Rate Summary:

§  Peak occupancy rates were above practical capacity (more than 85% of the on-street parking spaces were occupied) on Thursdays, and were in excess of total capacity (100%) on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays; and,

§  Average occupancy rates exceed total capacity during Friday evenings and are above practical capacity on Sundays.

 

Public Off-Street Occupancy Rate Summary:

§  Peak occupancy rates are below practical capacity (less than 85% of parking spaces were occupied) during all survey days, but approach practical capacity on Thursdays; and,

§  Average occupancy rates are below or significantly below practical capacity on all days.

 

In summary, the above data indicates that on-street parking in the area is well utilized and is over capacity at peak times and days.  However, off-street parking utilization was found to be moderate.  This indicates that although on-street utilization is of concern, the overall short-term parking supply is sufficient to meet present levels of public parking demand, and that opportunities exist to direct users to the off-street parking facilities during these periods.

 

Bicycle Parking

 

In June 2010, a one-day count of bicycle parking was conducted in sections of the ByWard Market area.  All bicycle racks in the area were identified, and all parked bicycles were counted, including bicycles parked along railings, trees, parking meters, and road signs.  A total of 202 spaces (including all designated racks and all “ring and post” units) were noted.  Staff observed 124 bicycles parked in the area studied.

 

Parking Issues – Approach

 

As part of the initial steps of the study, the BIA and the City’s Markets Management staff were asked about parking issues in the area.  The issues were grouped into 15 topics, some which address specific locations: parking supply (opportunities to add parking, shared use parking); regulations and signage; specific days/times/blocks in detail; special parking (bicycles, motorcycles, vendor stalls); and parking garages (wayfinding, safety and security).  

 

Each issue has been examined, including available data, a discussion on options and opportunities, a recommendation/conclusion, budget implications, and implementation timelines.  In some cases, the analyses have yielded opportunities to add parking (mainly on-street) by adjusting curbs, removing redundant driveway depressions, and reviewing signage that may no longer be required.  In other cases, more complex options have been identified, involving the need for further study/consultation, such as parking changes that may affect tour bus parking and taxi zones.  The initiatives and actions are summarized in Table 1.

 

Table 1

BYWARD MARKET PARKING ISSUES

Subject

Action

1.       

Examine opportunities to provide additional on-street parking

Identified an additional 8 on-street spaces in the ByWard Market Core, implementation late 2011 or Spring 2012.

2.       

Review existing Parking Regulations on several streets

Numerous regulations reviewed; one Tour Bus space converted to short term parking.

3.       

Identify opportunities for convertible or shared use parking spaces/curb use (e.g.: tour bus parking daytime, taxi zone at night).

Opportunities on York St identified; a shared taxi/loading zone has already been implemented on Clarence St.

4.       

Identify opportunities to provide for bicycle and motorcycle / scooter parking, as well as for other alternative modes of transportation

3 locations for additional bicycle parking identified; wayfinding strategies to parking facilities for all alternative transportation modes recommended

5.       

Review of parking needs and specific challenges associated with vendor stalls in the ByWard Market.

Vendor activity reviewed; observations showed high usage; ongoing monitoring and enforcement recommended.

6.       

Review existing Loading Zones (requirement, relocation options, additional loading zones).

Loading zones reviewed; consider converting to No Parking Zones for consistency.

7.       

Review existing Tour Bus Parking locations

Recommend converting several tour bus parking spaces to regular parking.

8.       

Review Taxi Zones.

Recommend designating part of north side of York between Sussex and ByWard as a night-time taxi zone.

9.       

Examine wayfinding and directional signage to/from Municipal Parking Lots.

Recommend implementing wayfinding systems.

10.   

ByWard Garage and Clarence-Murray Garage (utilization patterns, future opportunities, signage/entrances).

Recommend investigating options for improvements to ByWard Garage

11.   

Detailed review of on-street parking on priority blocks (as identified by BIAs).

Review of priority blocks indicated high rates of non-compliance to regulations; recommend ongoing enforcement.

12.   

Review safety and security, determine impacts on the desirability of existing parking.

Safety and security in northeast corner reviewed. Low utilization in area may be a function of lower demand

13.   

Identify and examine barriers between parking facilities and destinations.

Possible “barrier” is location and visibility of the Clarence-Murray Garage, recommend wayfinding/better signage.

14.   

Study specific time periods of high parking utilization / low turnover (including Friday evening and Sunday in the ByWard Market).

Friday evenings/Sundays reviewed; option of Sunday paid parking. Future review of evening parking.

15.   

Identify opportunities for additional off-peak public use of private parking lots.

Options reviewed; no significant opportunities in this area.

 

In several areas, focused analyses have been undertaken on specific streets and blocks.  In the ByWard Market, parking conditions in the core area, including York Street (Sussex Drive to Dalhousie Street), show very high occupancy rates at all times.  This illustrates the importance of on-street parking, particularly to commercial areas such as Sussex Drive businesses, which have no alternative short-term parking nearby.

 

Delegated Authority (for changes to the Traffic and Parking By-law) and the Municipal Parking Management Strategy (rate setting guidelines) provide the necessary tools to process changes to parking regulations, subject to concurrence with stakeholders, including the Ward Councillor, the BIAs, Community Associations, Places of Worship, and other Stakeholders.

 

It is recognized that the list above represents a current inventory of the parking-related issues in the area.  As this is a very dynamic and active area, issues related to parking will need to be monitored on a continuous basis and addressed as possible.  Staff suggest that quarterly meetings with the BIA and other stakeholders continue on an ongoing basis to address parking concerns.  Implementation of the Pay and Display machines has provided a new opportunity to closely monitor paid parking activity by area that was not easily available before.  This will allow continuing monitoring of areas of concern, in order to study/consider ongoing minor adjustments to paid parking locations and effective times/days.

 

Major Parking Issues

 

Development Issues and Potential Loss of Public Parking

 

One of the objectives of the Municipal Parking Management Strategy is to “provide and promote affordable short-term parking services, and fair and consistent enforcement services, that support local businesses, institutions, and tourism.”  Thus, the focus of the detailed analysis has been on publicly available parking and particularly on shorter-term publicly available parking (both privately owned and Municipally-owned).

 

When new development occurs in the Central Area, the parking requirements are typically less than what has historically been provided.  It is anticipated that the relative supply of dedicated parking for new developments will decrease over time, and as a result, demand for general public parking will potentially increase.  In addition, new developments often take the place of existing surface parking lots.

 

Comparisons of land use for critical blocks have been made by documenting land use data and air photo information from 1999, 2005 and 2009.  The most significant change identified in this review has been the development of several major condominiums in the area, which, in several cases, has resulted in the loss of publicly-available off street surface parking.  Planned and potential developments are being reviewed for possible impact on the parking supply.  Each block was examined to determine the potential loss of public parking supply.  

 

In the ByWard Market, this analysis indicates that future developments could result in a potential loss of about 200 public off-street parking spaces.  There may be opportunities to promote the use of the existing Municipal garage facility at 141 Clarence Street (Clarence/Dalhousie/Murray) to help address this potential loss.  However, in order to ensure the ongoing supply of some public parking in support of local businesses, and in alignment with the Strategy Objectives, it is recommended that efforts be made to secure a supply of publicly-available off-street parking by:

 

§  Partnering with a private sector development to include municipally-controlled public parking;

§  Ensuring the provision of publicly-available (but privately owned) short term parking as part of development approvals: and/or,

§  Exploring the viability of additional parking in the ByWard Market parking facility (note that any expansion of the facility would need to adhere to City planning objectives and zoning by-law requirements.).

 

Wayfinding

 

A key finding of the LAPS is the need for improvements to wayfinding to and from parking facilities.  Off-street parking occupancy is moderate to low at times, and part of this may be a need to improve the awareness of available off-street public parking facilities.

 

There are two municipal parking facilities in the ByWard Market.  One facility fills to capacity regularly, while the other, one block away, does not.  Improvements to the wayfinding and information to drivers are needed.  Appropriate signage with location and number of available parking spaces could attract some drivers to park in the City lot at Clarence/Murray/Dalhousie instead of the ByWard Market parking garage, balancing the use.  Wayfinding could help reduce time searching for parking, leading to less congestion and traffic in the area.  Current initiatives include examining options to improve signage and guidance to and between the two City facilities.  Parking guidance systems displaying the current availability of parking spaces in the Municipal parking structures are planned.  Similar systems have been implemented in different cities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

 

Paid Parking on Sundays and Statutory Holidays

 

The detailed analysis of parking occupancies and durations in the Local Area Parking Study Technical Report reveals that on Sundays, on-street parking is highly used, with limited turnover or opportunities for customers to find convenient parking.  This high occupancy and low turnover suggests that paid parking should be examined.  

 

In the core area of the ByWard Market, parking turnover on Saturdays is about six times - meaning that each prime parking space potentially serves six customers over the business day, however, on Sundays the turnover is about three times.  Prime on-street parking in the ByWard Market area is 87% occupied by 10:30 am, and occupancy remains above 90% for the day.  This is due to the fact that there is no charge for on-street parking and spaces are filled early and for the entire day.  Although on-street parking on Sundays is technically “free”, convenient, short-term on-street parking for customers of the ByWard Market is difficult to find.  This means that short-term customers are unable to find convenient parking, and need to park at less convenient off-street paid parking facilities.

 

Free parking on Sundays encourages drivers to spend time searching for a space on-street even if it is not readily available.  Paid parking would help to redistribute parking demand and discourage long-term on-street occupancy, directing it to off-street parking facilities.  Reducing the demand for on-street parking will encourage a higher turnover of prime on-street spaces and will help to mitigate traffic issues associated with searching for free parking spaces.

 

Setting the same time limits as during the week (8:30 am to 5:30 pm) may be appropriate from the perspective of ensuring a good supply of short term parking; however, this may have an impact on other stakeholders, for example, Places of Worship on Sunday mornings.  Focused consultation on the exact area covered, hours of paid parking and the appropriate hourly rate for paid Sunday and Holiday on-street parking would need to be undertaken consistent with the Delegated Authority as per the Municipal Parking Management Strategy Rate Setting Guidelines.  

 

Future Opportunities

 

In addition to the measures above, there are other opportunities that may be considered for future review and action, as summarized below:

 

§  Extended Paid Parking Hours:  Based on occupancy rates observed and duration, the data for on-street parking on Friday evenings also suggests that paid parking might be considered. However, the typical customer in the evening is visiting restaurants, etc., and the need to encourage turnover is not the same as during the day.  Future monitoring will be undertaken to further examine the evening hours.  One possible option that may be considered to help ensure the maximum supply of on-street parking for customers would be to extend the paid parking period until 7:00 pm (currently 5:30 pm).

 

§  Expanded Paid Parking Areas:  The parking study data reviewed occupancy rates on all blocks in the area – both paid and unpaid.  In some cases, it was noted that paid parking may help to encourage additional turnover on certain streets.  This would require focused consultation with adjacent businesses and residents prior to implementation.

 

§  Parking Rates by Zone:  The current industry best practice is that peak occupancy should be in the range of 85%.  In some municipalities, parking rates can be set based on the actual occupancy rates recorded – basing price on actual demand.  Such an approach is in effect in Vancouver.  The approved Municipal Parking Management Strategy includes Rate Setting Guidelines, which state that public parking rates, hours and locations are to be set based on Local Area Parking Studies (LAPS).  One of the principle criteria to determine the priority for undertaking LAPS is peak parking occupancy rates of below 75% or above 85%.

§  Progressive Pricing:  Calgary has a system of progressive pricing for on-street parking in some areas, where the first hour will be set at one price and the second hour at a higher price to encourage shorter stays, thus making the parking spaces available to more customers.

 

§  Paid Loading Zones:  Similar to tour bus spaces, loading zones could be converted to “paid” loading zones.  This would serve to discourage the current practice of some motorists taking advantage of the current no cost loading zones for very short-term parking.  Pricing the loading zones would help to ensure that they are available to those who need a temporary location to load or unload merchandise in close proximity to their destination

 

§  Accessible Parking:  While this study has focused on the overall parking supply and demand, it is recognized that as part of detailed implementation and examination of municipal parking facilities, planning for accessible parking supply and demand must be included.  In addition to business practices of providing accessible parking in all municipal facilities, in compliance with accessibility standards, staff are exploring options to provide parking occupancy information, for example, parking guidance signage that will provide real-time information on the current availability of accessible parking spaces. 

 

The ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau are the most active areas of the City, with on-street parking pressures on all days and times and well into the evening.  In the core of the ByWard Market, parking demand extends well into the overnight hours.  This has led to some unique challenges and opportunities.  During the day, the characteristics are typical of a main street commercial area.  However, during the evening, weekends and overnight, there continues to be demand for parking due to the nature of this entertainment district.  As this is a very dynamic and active area, issues related to parking will need to be monitored on a continuous basis and addressed as quickly as possible.  Staff have suggested that quarterly meetings with the BIAs and other stakeholders continue on an ongoing basis to address parking concerns.

 

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no rural implications associated with this report.

 

 

CONSULTATION

 

Primary consultation for the Local Area Parking Study was with the ByWard Market BIA and City’s Markets Management staff.  Regular meetings have been held to identify and discuss parking issues and examine options.  Staff have been working with and through the BIA to communicate with the area merchants and businesses.  At the initial stages of the study, notices were sent to all area businesses and merchants (via the BIA) and information on the Parking Studies was posted on the City’s website.

 

Upon completion of the parking surveys and compilation of overall parking supply and demand data, briefings were provided to the ByWard Market Core Team and the ByWard Market Vendors.  Ongoing consultation has taken place with representatives of the ByWard Market BIA, and Markets Management staff.

 

Regular briefings have been provided to the ByWard Market Core Team (comprised of representatives from various subcommittees of the BIA, Market Vendors, Lowertown Community Association, the Ward Councillor’s office, and Markets Management staff).  A briefing has also been provided directly to the Lowertown Community Association.

 

On many items, continued consultation is required to ensure local stakeholder agreement (between the BIA, Places of Worship, Community Associations, and Ward Councillor) to implement changes to parking policy.  This ongoing consultation with local stakeholders will be carried out as per the requirements of Delegated Authority to implement changes to parking and traffic regulations as well as per the Municipal Parking Management Strategy Rate Setting Guidelines (as approved by Council in April 2009).  

 

The ByWard BIA is in support of the findings of this parking study.  With regard to the potential loss of parking, the BIA Board has requested that every effort be made to add an additional two levels of parking to the ByWard Market Garage (70 Clarence Street) (note that any expansion of the facility would need to adhere to City planning objectives and zoning by-law requirements).  The ByWard Market BIA has also expressed support for additional on-street parking opportunities in the Downtown Rideau BIA, as this will help to relieve some of the demand on parking in the ByWard Market.

 

Regular updates were provided to the Parking Stakeholder Consultation Group (PSCG) on the status of the Local Area Parking Studies.  The findings were presented to PSCG on April 20, 2011, and their comments and suggestions have been incorporated into this report. 

 

 

COMMENTS FROM THE WARD COUNCILLOR

 

Councillor Fleury has been briefed on the findings of the parking study and the proposed actions, and is supportive of the findings.

 

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of this Report’s recommendations.

 

 

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

The requirement for Local Area Parking Studies is identified in the Municipal Parking Management Strategy, which in turn is in alignment with the Transportation Priority of the City’s Strategic Plan.  This approach to parking management supports the City’s existing transportation network and ultimately helps to allow for more efficient movement of people and goods and encourages economic growth.  The Municipal Parking Management Strategy also reflects the principles of the Transportation Master Plan.

 

 

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no technical implications to the implementation of this Report’s recommendation.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The 2011 Parking Operations, Maintenance and Development Branch Capital Budget includes $350,000 for the implementation of recommendations from ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau Local Area Parking Studies.  A number of recommended measures include the addition of on-street paid parking spaces (generally in existing paid parking areas).  As such, it is expected that the implementation of these measures will have a relatively low cost and short payback period as a result of increased parking revenues.

 

Potential revenues generated by Sunday and Holiday paid on-street parking in the ByWard Market area would need to be determined as part of the 2012 Parking Operations Budget.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1 - ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study – Summary Report (Previously distributed and held on file)

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Parking Operations, Maintenance and Development Branch staff will continue with focused consultation with stakeholders, and implement measures identified in the Local Area Parking Study for the ByWard Market under Delegated Authority as per the Municipal Parking Management Strategy.

 

            BYWARD MARKET LOCAL AREA PARKING STUDY

            ÉTUDE SUR LE STATIONNEMENT LOCAL DANS LE SECTEUR DU MARCHÉ BY

ACS2011-COS-PWS-0010                                                                     RIDEAU-VANIER (12)

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Transportation Committee recommend that Council receive the ByWard Market Local Area Parking Study Summary Report (Document 1).

 

Written comments were received from the ByWard Market BIA in support of the item.  A copy of their letter dated 24 June 2011 was distributed in advance and a copy is held on file with the City Clerk.

 

John Manconi, General Manager, Public Works gave a combined verbal overview of the item and the Downtown Rideau Local Area Parking Study.  Rob Orchin, Program Manager, Parking Studies was available to give a PowerPoint presentation on the technical matters, if requested.

 

MOTION TRC 9/2

 

Moved by Councillor B. Monette

 

That staff not go forward with the study of banning free on street parking on Sundays and holidays and if the stakeholders request paid parking on Sundays and holidays, that the decision to implement that be done at Transportation Committee.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

            The report recommendation, as amended by Motion TRC 9/2 was then put to Committee and CARRIED.