Newmarket is bringing back winter parking restrictions this month, however an off-street parking program could be offered again.
Winter parking restrictions went into effect Nov. 1 and will last until April 15, barring any vehicles from parking on any roadway in Newmarket between 2 to 6 a.m. The restrictions allow for snow removal and are in effect regardless of snow on the ground, lasting until April 15.
Last year the town started an off-street overnight parking program at municipal facilities due to more residents having vehicles at their residences due to the pandemic. A staff report said there was not much uptake or feedback on the initiative but proposes the program continue.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have experienced an increase of vehicles within residential zones for varying reasons. This includes, but is not limited to residents working from home, unable to work, or students not returning to school and working remotely,” acting manager of regulatory services John Comeau said, adding the off-street program is “an effort to accommodate residents.”
The program allows residents to obtain a parking permit at no cost to park at the town offices, Magna Centre, Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, or the downtown P3 parking lot, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The report coming before council committee of the whole Nov. 15 states only 94 permits were issued by the program in 113 days, an average of 0.83 per night.
“Demand for off-street parking was lower than expected. However, access to town lots for off-street parking provided residents with an additional option,” the report from Comeau said.
The report also said users were largely compliant about leaving at 7 a.m., with no significant enforcement action needed at the parking lots due to the program.
Council will have to decide on the matter, but the report suggests extending the program to get more feedback and explore the long-term sustainability of the extra parking.
Regardless of the program's fate, Comeau said town bylaw officers are now enforcing the early morning parking ban. Officers did a targeted educational program two weeks ahead of the regulations, placing reminder slips on vehicles parked on the road that would be non-compliant in November.
“Bylaw officers will proactively monitor the town to ensure compliance, and full enforcement is in effect,” Comeau said.
The town has had a review of its residential parking bylaw on its radar since 2017, according to a 2021 municipal outstanding matters list. But a new council workshop on the matter is not planned until the third quarter of 2022.
