Parking: An open letter to city from DBIA

To: W.H. Jackson, Director of Utility Services CC: Mayor Daryl Bennett City Council Allan Seabrooke, Chief Administrative Officer Re: Report USTR17-0018 Strategic Downtown Parking Management Study

We are encouraged to see the City planning for the future of downtown and the need for increased parking. The report shows downtown is nearing capacity for parking, which accurately reflects what we hear regularly at the DBIA office. However, we do have some concerns.

The proposal lays out a welcomed guideline for the future, but does have punitive implications for those currently patronizing and investing in our downtown. Whether it’s increasing parking fees and fines for customers or hiking the price of monthly parking space rentals for employees, any added revenue for the city is largely revenue taken away from our local business community. Those offended by the increased fees and fines will also take their money elsewhere and further the loss of revenue to downtown businesses. It is becoming increasingly difficult to rent office and retail space since business owners are not wanting to pay such high costs for parking for staff or patrons.

The city report shows that the parking fees and fines in Peterborough are currently similar to a number of other communities. While some may charge more, the immediate introduction of a 25% increase is harsh and we would strongly suggest a phase-in period for this dramatic increase.

We would also encourage the implementation of modernized parking meters. With fewer people carrying cash, our current meters that don’t accept credit cards or other electronic payment have become a challenge for the patrons of downtown.

From our experience and strong understanding of the downtown, we would suggest a parking facility in one area will not serve the needs of the entire downtown core. Investment in the King Street garage makes sense, but it should be balanced with investment in parking infrastructure further north as well, such as the area of Hunter or Brock streets. 313 Water Street, Peterborough, ON K9J 7W7 705-7484774 • info@peterboroughbia.com www.downtownptbo.ca

At a time when we’re working to intensify development of the City and encourage private investment that aligns with the Places to Grow Act, we should be offering incentives rather than increasing fees and fines. While the intense development downtown creates unique parking challenges, it is also an efficient way for the city to invest its resources since per capita it requires far less money to maintain transportation infrastructure and utility services. Meanwhile, other areas of the city that are becoming more intensely developed aren’t burdened with having to pay for on-street parking.

The DBIA was consulted on parking requirements downtown, but increasing fees and fines were not discussed. We would like to see this proposal deferred until further research has been completed that will show the full impact of these increases.

Thank you for considering our request.