Norfolk County council is planning to formalize its 15-minute parking zones in Port Dover and Simcoe.
Councilors on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a staff recommendation to add the zones to the county’s parking bylaw.
“I do hope we keep this (15-minute parking zones) in Port Dover because I do think it’s working well,” Coun. Chris Van Paassen said. “I think we’re on the right track.”
He suggested that Simcoe may need more 15-minute spots due to the nature of retail opening up in the downtown.
Council approved 15-minute parking zones in Port Dover in December 2021 as a temporary measure with an expiry date of June 2022. The measures were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help with curbside pick-up.
Councilors were told Tuesday there is, based on conversations with the Port Dover Board of Trade and individual businesses, continued support for the 15-minute zones.
Consultation with the Simcoe Business Improvement Area (BIA) indicated there isn’t a demand for large-scale implementation of 15-minute parking zones in the downtown, councilors were told.
County staff has, however, recommended installation of a 15-minute zone on Norfolk Street North, between 27 meters and 33 meters north of Argyle Street on the east side of Norfolk Street North.
The BIA also suggested they would like to see a process established that would allow them to approach county staff and provide requests for the addition of 15-minute parking zones should the need arise.
County staff said the BIA’s request could be dealt with as part of a larger parking study.
There is no support for 15-minute parking zones in Delhi or Waterford, a report said.
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