DOWNTOWN PARKING STRATEGY
The municipality is undertaking a Downtown Parking Strategy to examine the current and future parking requirements in the downtown areas of Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon. As outlined in the Kawartha Lakes Transportation Master Plan, this study will develop solutions to optimize parking in the defined areas.
In the last several years, demand for downtown parking has increased dramatically. In downtown Lindsay, the average rate of use for parking during peak weekday business hours has increased from 61 percent in 2014 to 81 percent in 2018. Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls have also seen increased pressure on parking resources, especially during the busy summer season.
In April 2018, Council approved $100,000 in funding for the project as a way to address the parking pressures. Kawartha Lakes has retained IBI Group to prepare the Downtown Parking Strategy over the course of 2019, with the intent of presenting a final draft of the study to Council in early 2020. The municipality and IBI Group are committed to engaging key stakeholders and the general public through two rounds of consultations, an online survey, an online crowdsourcing map and invitations for written submissions.
“The Downtown Parking Strategy is vital to the municipality’s ability to provide an efficient and effective downtown parking service for its residents, businesses and visitors. The study will enable us to not only integrate downtown parking upgrades and expansions into the long-term capital and financial plans, but also to reshape how the parking is provided and funded over the next decade or so,” stated Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets and the study’s project administrator.
The first round of public consultations is set to take place next week in each of the three communities:
Lindsay: March 5 2019, 5pm to 7pm, Lindsay Recreation Complex
Fenelon Falls: March 6 2019, 5pm to 7pm, Fenelon Falls Arena and Community Centre
Bobcaygeon: March 7 2019, 5pm to 7pm, Bobcaygeon Service Centre
These meetings will be of a drop-in nature, providing attendees an opportunity to review information boards, ask questions and provide comments. At 6pm, IBI Group will give a public presentation. Representatives of the municipality and IBI Group will be present at the meetings to take questions and comments.