The Town of Minto is planning to create some additional municipal parking here through an arrangement with a local restaurant.
“Preparations are underway for reconstruction of Elora Street South in Harriston in 2015,” explained CAO Bill White in a staff report at the July 22 council meeting.
“While the work is being completed blocks of Elora will be closed on a phased basis and there will be no access to street parking from time to time. The town approached Harry Stone’s with a view to providing public parking on privately owned lands (behind the restaurant).”
Under the agreement, which is expected to be formalized by bylaw at an upcoming meeting, the town will install drainage and pave the parking lot, line parking spaces, topsoil and seed the edges and provide signage.
The proposed agreement allows for a horse shelter to be built, however White noted there is currently no funding in place for the shelter. If built, the town would be responsible for maintaining the shelter.
The town will maintain the parking lot, including handling snow removal, in return for public parking being allowed seven days a week, 24 hours a day (except for winter overnight parking restrictions).
Five spaces would be designated for the use of the restaurant.
The agreement would be for a 20-year term, with an option to renew for an additional five years. Either party can opt out of the agreement with six months notice. However, if terminating the agreement early, the restaurant would be required to pay the cost of a portion of the parking lot improvements, based on a sliding scale, beginning at the estimated $50,000 cost of the improvements, if cancelled within two years.
“The parking area is important during reconstruction to provide access to the businesses when street parking is not available. Even after reconstruction the additional public parking will benefit shoppers and business in the area,” White notes in his report.
The report points out the town utilizes public parking on private lots at the Harriston Legion, the G. Hubbard and Sons property and behind Evergreen Variety.
“Staff is not aware of formal agreements for these properties, but it is important that the town’s approach be consistent into the future. This agreement could well be a model for these properties when repairs and maintenance are needed,” the report suggests.
