CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Township of Centre Wellington has approved a plan to implement timed parking spots in downtown Elora and Fergus.
A report to the committee of the whole says there will be 129 of these parking spaces in downtown Fergus and 107 in downtown Elora. This decision was based on the Transportation Master Plan approved by council last year.
“One of the key recommendations – and we’ve heard this from a lot of our BIA stakeholders from the downtown – was to increase the turnover and availability of parking in both downtown Elora and Fergus,” said Colin Baker, managing director of infrastructure services for Centre Wellington. “We’re looking at increasing the turnover which, at the end of the day, will benefit both the businesses and shoppers alike.”
Baker said council decided to go with three-hour parking as opposed to two-hour based on feedback from businesses who didn’t want customers to feel rushed while shopping or eating. Both downtowns will see two 15-minute drop-off and pick-up areas each.
“The thinking is for residents just looking to grab a coffee or pick-up a package really quickly,” Baker said noting the option to add more of these spots if necessary. “We thought four was a good starting point, something that we’ll monitor as we get into implementation.”
The town aims to implement the plan this spring with education and outreach on the new parking rules. Signage will also be going up at this time at a cost of $6,200 to the operating budget.
The town will be hiring an outside professional company to conduct parking enforcement on the township’s behalf. The company will be selected through a request for proposal process.
Jonathan Laurencic, co-founder of Elora Brewing Co. and Elora BIA chair, said by email that the BIA is excited about this change to parking bylaws.
“As our town has grown and become busier we have noticed the increased need for a parking strategy,” Laurencic said. “We believe that the three-hour parking will facilitate a better experience for visitors travelling to our town and in turn have a positive economic impact on local businesses.”
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce general manager Dana Burdenuk said this will encourage more people to stop and shop.
“People are less likely to stop if they can’t find a parking spot,” Burdenuk said. “Allowing for some turnover of those parking spaces, as most municipalities currently offer, will encourage movement of those vehicles and allow people to stop and see what great types of businesses that we have downtown.”
Laurencic said this is a good way to deal with the significant parking issue identified in the Transportation Master Plan.
“We look forward to working with our members and the township as these changes are implemented and as we continue to address the parking challenges in Elora,” he said.
