Report to: General Committee                                   Date Report Authored: October 14, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Winter Parking Pilot Program

 

PREPARED BY:               Bill Snowball, Fire Chief, Fire & Emergency Services, ext. 5982

                                            David Porretta, Supervisor, Traffic Operations, ext. 2040

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)                  That the report entitled, “Winter Parking Pilot Program” be received;

 

2)                  And that Council endorse the proposed pilot project to restrict parking on the “even” numbered side of the street, applicable to all municipal roads, from November 15, 2009  to April 15, 2010;

 

3)                  And that the education and communications campaign commence as soon as possible;

 

4)                  And that The Winter Parking Committee report back in Spring 2010, with the results of the pilot project;

 

5)                  And that the funding for the education and communications campaign be provided from the Operations Department operating account 700 998 5801to an upset limit of $3500;

 

6)                  And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable.

 

PURPOSE:

The report recommends that a pilot project be initiated to request voluntary restrictions parking on all municipal streets to one side only during the 2009 – 2010 winter season.  The objective of the pilot project is to resolve ongoing safety and accessibility concerns for emergency & service vehicles during the winter months, created by on-street parking activity.

 

BACKGROUND:

During the last two winters, the Town of Markham received above average snowfall.  The excessive amount of snow created significant challenges for emergency & service vehicles.  This was further impacted by on-street parking which significantly reduced the road width that had already been compromised by the large snow windrows.

 

To address the ongoing concerns with safety and accessibility during the winter months, a Winter Parking Committee was formed to create a strategy that could be implemented to mitigate these concerns.  Members of the Committee consist of one Councillor and staff representatives from Operations, Fire Services, Bylaw Enforcement, Waste Management and Communications & Community Relations Departments.

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Need to address accessibility concerns on municipal roads

The Winter Parking Committee concluded that the primary cause of the inaccessibility was due to on-street parking.  The abundance of on-street parking on many municipal roads creates significant challenges for emergency & service vehicles and winter snow removal. On-street parking is restricted town-wide between 2:30am and 6:00am.  Emergencies can occur at anytime and snow clearing often has to be completed during the day and evening to keep pace with ongoing snowfall.

 

Snowfall accumulation during the winter season results in large snow windrows reducing the traveled portion of the road.  This problem is compounded by on-street parking.  Several large municipal vehicles, especially Fire Services vehicles, require a minimum unobstructed travel path of at least 3.0 metres to safely negotiate a street.  In many instances where cars are parked on both sides of the street, this requirement cannot be achieved, thereby adversely impacting response times.

 

Restricting parking during winter months recommended

To voluntarily address this town-wide problem, the Winter Parking Committee proposes that parking be restricted during winter months to improve snow clearing and accessibility for all municipal streets.  Because on-street parking is a valued and sometimes essential component in many communities, it is recommended that parking be restricted on the “even” numbered side of the street only.  The “even” numbered side is typically located on the north and east side of the street and is exposed to direct sunlight, thereby increasing snowmelt. The “even” numbered parking restrictions would not apply to streets where restricted parking already exists.

 

Communications plan will be created to educate the public

Communications & Community Relations Department has developed a communications plan to inform and educate the public on the program and its purpose (see Appendix A).  The objective is to raise awareness among residents of the health and safety issues associated with restricted access for emergency response vehicles on residential streets. Various communication tactics will be used, including: the Town website, advertising on the Town page and local newspapers, magazines, information post cards, tax bill inserts, PSA release to all media outlets, a poster campaign in community centres and libraries.

 

The Contact Centre will track and monitor resident calls.

 

Parking Enforcement Officers to issue warning notices only

The parking restriction would be considered as a “pilot project” for the 2009-2010 winter season.  During this time, any owners of vehicles not participating in the pilot program  would be given a notice as opposed to a parking ticket.  Notices will be issued by Parking Control Officers advising of the pilot program.  This notice serves several purposes, namely: it educates residents without penalty; tracks notices to produce operational reports on the effectiveness of the pilot program; identifies streets of concern where odd number/even number prohibition is a concern.

 

Issuing parking notices and tracking functionality will require modifying the existing “Parksmart” ticketing system. Staff will monitor the amount of time involved issuing warnings in an effort to address future budget impact.

 

Report back to Council in Spring 2010

At the end of the pilot project, the Committee will evaluate the project and determine its level of success.  The Committee will report back to Council in Spring 2010 with the results, and if determined to be effective, Staff will recommend that a by-law be passed to implement the restriction on a permanent basis, during subsequent winter seasons.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

The cost to implement the Communications Plan for the pilot program will be funded through Operations Department operating account 700 998 5801to an upset limit of $3500.

 

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not applicable.

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

This report aligns with the community safety component of Transportation and Municipal Services strategic priorities.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Winter Parking Committee is comprised of staff from Operations, Fire & Emergency Services, Bylaw Enforcement, Waste Management and Communications & Community Relations Departments.  All members of the committee participated in writing this report and endorse the recommendations.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:  

 

 

 

________________________                         ________________________

Bill Snowball,                                                    Brenda Librecz,

Fire Chief, Fire & Emergency Services          Commissioner, Community & Fire Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A – Communication Plan: Winter Parking Pilot Program

Appendix B – Presentation: Winter Parking Pilot Program