The Town of Minto will implement parking and stopping restrictions and build a sidewalk extension in the area of Palmerston Public School, in response to traffic safety concerns in the area.
The measures are being put in place in response to concerns about vehicle parking and congestion on both sides of Prospect Street, between York and Toronto, during school days before class and after school during pick up.
At the July 7 meeting, council approved a staff recommendation to amend the town’s parking bylaw to prevent stopping or parking of motor vehicles:
– along both sides of Prospect Street from the intersection of York Street to 90 metres east of the intersection;
– along the northerly side of Prospect Street, from the intersection of Toronto Street to 100 metres west of the intersection; and
– along the southerly side of Prospect Street from Toronto Street to 190 metres west of the intersection
Council also approved:
– adding a time-limited parking area on the north side of Prospect Street, 90 metres east of York Street to 100 metres west of Toronto Street, between 2 and 4pm on school days for a maximum of 10 minutes; and
– construction of a 165-metre long sidewalk from the existing crosswalk to Toronto Street along the south side of Prospect Street.
Implementing the recommendations will cost approximately $2,000 for the 25 new “No Parking/Stopping” and time-limited parking signs and posts, plus $26,000 for the sidewalk, both of which have been approved in the 2015 budget, states a report from Minto chief building official Terry Kuipers and roads foreman Mike McIsaac.
Councillor Ron Elliott asked who would be responsible for enforcing the parking restrictions.
Kuipers replied it would be up to the OPP to enforce the restrictions, but he hoped that once people get used to the changes, less enforcement would be needed.
“If there’s a problem I think we can help the OPP out and issue some tickets,” he said.
Councillor Jean Anderson suggested posting signs may not be enough to keep people from parking on the street.
“When you close down the parking on that whole street … the school board’s going to have to get involved because they are going to have to police the teachers,” said Anderson.
“You might as well tell the OPP officers to just park there for the that first day because they’re going to make their year’s funds, because you know what’s going to happen – they’re going to park there.”
Anderson asked if the town could urge the school’s parent council to write to the school board advising them “the town’s gone this far, but you have to do something. This still is not safe enough – we need more parking.”
Kuipers pointed out the parent council has been involved in the process and has made concerns known to the school board.
Mayor George Bridge said dialogue would continue in search of more complete solutions. While the measures implemented by the town don’t address all the issues, “It’s a lot better than it was,” said Bridge.
Council approved a resolution to receive the staff report and proceed with the recommendations.
