SPECIAL MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

 

MINUTES

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Attendance:

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Staff

A. Brown, Director, Engineering

M. West, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

V. Siu, Senior Business Analyst

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

Guests

Mr. Joshua Engel-Yan, I.B.I. Group

Mr. Ralph Bond, B. A. Group

 

 

The Markham Parking Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Regional Councillor G. Landon in the Chair.  Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair at 1:10 p.m.

 

 

 

1.         INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY, CONSULTANT TEAMS AND MEETING         OVERVIEW

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, reviewed the Agenda for the meeting, and provided background information on the Town’s parking strategy, the approach and development.  Members were also advised of the differences between the Parking Management Plan and the Parking Business Plan.

 

 

 

2.         PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN - MARKHAM TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIC PLAN

 

Mr. Joshua Engel-Yan, of the I.B.I Group, described the Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP), noting that the Plan will establish a transportation vision for the future of Markham for the next 20-25 years.  Members were advised that the Plan will be completed by the Fall of 2009, and elements will include data collection, surveys, transportation and transit needs, and consultation with stakeholders and the public.

 

Mr. Engel-Yan advised that the Parking Management Plan is a component of the TSP and provided elements of its rationale.  Members were advised that outcomes of the Parking Management Plan will include: the development of Town-wide vision goals and objectives for parking; parking demand projections for Nodes and Corridors; recommendations for land use by-laws; considerations for parking design and building placement; and a long-term financial model for financing public parking.

 

Mr. Engel-Yan provided examples of ways that will be considered to increase parking capacity and efficiency, and to reduce parking demand.  Supporting strategies will include the Town’s Urban Design Standards and long term financial strategies.

 

Committee raised and discussed the following matters:

  • ways to reduce amount of free parking
  • pricing versus travel behaviour; “demand is a function of price”
  • bus pass cost versus driving costs;
  • land banking
  • parking demand projections
  • needs of Cornell and Langstaff areas to be included

 

It was requested that the Consultants include two or three price option/scenarios in the Parking Plan, and Mr. Engel-Yan noted that this could be accomplished by surveying residents on how they would respond to various parking prices.  Reference was made to the recent parking study document of the City of Toronto, and staff was requested to obtain copies and distribute to Members for their information.

 

 

3.         PARKING BUSINESS PLAN

 

Mr. Ralph Bond, of the B. A. Group, explained that the Parking Management Business Plan will provide an implementation plan, and a management framework that will guide the evolution of the municipal parking program in Markham over the next 3-5 years.  He noted that it will build on the urban oriented vision for parking adopted by Council in 2005, and identify potential expansion opportunities.  It is expected that the Business Plan will be completed by June, 2008.

 

 

 

Mr. Bond reviewed the guiding principles that were first established for Markham Centre and briefly reviewed the parking related TDM policies and techniques.  A book written by Donald Shoup, entitled “The High Cost of Free Parking”, was highly recommended.  Information on the existing parking program locations, and potential expansion opportunities was presented.

 

In response to a query of Committee regarding the current parking strategy, Mr. Bond advised that the Parking Business Plan will review locations for on-street parking and pricing options.  The feasibility of pay-parking on Main Street Markham and Main Street Unionville will also be addressed during the process.  Stakeholder consultations will be held in both Parking studies.

 

 

 

4.         DISCUSSION AND CONFIRMATION OF STUDY DIRECTION

 

It was noted that there are very few municipalities in North America that don’t charge for parking, and the Town of Markham should have a long-term plan and strategy for parking.  The Plans may require tangible improvements to be made in the down-town areas, as the well-being of existing businesses is important.

 

Details of how the studies were going to proceed were discussed, and the consultants advised that operational issues will be studied at a conceptual level.  The matter of including parking operations at private shopping malls was raised, and it was suggested that the Parking Management Plan could possibly address this through the Town’s parking design standards and by-laws.

 

Committee requested that as much empirical evidence as possible be obtained from other municipalities and be well documented in the final report.  In addition, it was suggested that information be included about paid permit parking, not just in the business areas, but in other areas of the Town.

 

Both Mr. Engel-Yan and Mr. Bond advised Committee and staff that they are comfortable with the criteria, and noted that the studies will be approaching the matter of parking from two different perspectives.

 

The Chair thanked the Mr. Engel-Yan and Mr. Bond for attending the meeting and providing details of the Parking Management Plan and the Parking Business Plan.

 

Members advised that there was a consensus of Committee for staff to move ahead with both studies at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.         GTA PARKING OPERATIONS TOUR

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that a Toronto parking operations tour has been tentatively arranged for Thursday, May 8 for Members of Committee.  Once the date has been confirmed, Members will be advised of further details.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Special Parking Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.