The Township of Selwyn is updating their parking by-laws to ensure consistency throughout the municipality.
Bryden Erdmann, emergency & risk management advisor for the township presented a report to council on June 23 outlining his recommendation to consolidate the township’s parking by-law and appoint provincial offences officers for enforcement through a third party.
His report stated that this update was needed because the township had various parking by-laws for different wards.
Erdmann explained to council that this by-law is not a complete rewrite of the townships parking regulations but rather a consolidation of all of the existing parking by-laws from the Smith, Ennismore, and Lakefield Wards.
Erdmann said that the former Village of Lakefield had a comprehensive parking by-law established in 1988, while in Smith Ward, parking regulations were only established for specific problem areas and there was were no parking restrictions established for the Ennismore Ward.
The by-law would also upload the responsibility of Queen Street and Bridge Street in the Village of Lakefield to the County of Peterborough.
Under the former by-law, the township was able to regulate the parking by-laws on these roads, however because they are classified as highways, new legislations mandates the County enforce any parking regulations.
Major changes to the by-law would include:
• The addition of a parking prohibition in Township parks to address vehicles parking/camping overnight, creating obstructions and parking outside of designated areas;
• The addition of restricted parking zones on Summer Lane, alternating between even and odd numbered addresses every 15 days, to address parking in this subdivision (note: no overnight winter parking is permitted via the seasonal prohibition period);
• The regulation of parking in electric vehicle charging stations, in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act;
• An amendment to the seasonal parking prohibition from November 01 to April 15 of the following year, by extending the overnight hours by one hour from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. to address snow removal needs;
• The addition of a parking prohibition on Stanley St. and Rabbit St. N. in the Village of Lakefield to address parking challenges faced by the Township’s Fire Department and the Public Works Department;
• Updating the penalty amounts.
Updated parking violation fees within the new by-law would range from $40 to $300 depending on the offence.
Erdmann said that these updated fee schedules put them in the middle range based on different townships that are comparable in size and population to Selwyn.
The parking by-laws would be enforced by township staff as well as a third party contractor called Maxima. Enforcement will be based on a complaints-driven model for both county and township roads.
After his report was presented, council had the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes.
Mayor Sherry Senis stated that in the past, the township has had problems getting local tow companies to tow vehicles who were illegally parked.
She asked if these issues would be resolved through the by-law.
Erdmann told council that they had considered that and were able to speak with both the Ontario Provincial Police and Peterborough Police Service to see what companies they use for towing.
Through those conversations, Selwyn staff were able to identify three providers in the city of Peterborough that have the requisite impound lots, towing services, and necessary insurance to provide those services.
Senis also asked what hours Maxima work and if they would be available on the weekends and after hours for enforcement control.
Erdman said that he believes Maxima has a hotline that is used for response to complaints but did not know their specific hours or staff schedules.
He did clarify that there will not be any proactive enforcement at the present time under the by-law, it would all be reactive.
Deputy Mayor Ron Black stated that the biggest challenge with parking by-laws is the enforcement. He asked is there was any opportunity to have Maxima proactively tour the township in known problem areas to post tickets and check for infractions to the by-law.
Staff responded stating that yes this is an option and has been done in the past.
Coun. John Boyko asked how residents will be notified of these new changes to the by-law.
Boyko stated, “The only way they’re going to see [these changes] is through signage, so there are some signs that exist now, but the report also says that there’s some signs there need to be changed, put up, or taken down. So, when will these changes in signage be done?”
Erdmann explained, “Because this is a consolidation of many existing parking by-laws, specifically the Lakefield parking by-law, I would say the majority of signage that’s existing, reflects the regulations that are in this by-law. In Lakefield, as is the case for all the wards, we’re still going to have some gaps were signage is missing, signage needs to be updated or in certain cases, signage has been installed by members of the community and we have to remove it. So what staff have proposed is, triaging the problematic areas first. For Council’s awareness regulatory signage, specifically parking signage is very expensive to purchase and also the labor to install it. So what staff are proposing is triaging, identifying problematic areas first and then, including budgets for parking signage updates in the next few fiscal years that’ll allow Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments to identify their needs.”
He told council that two major areas of concern that would be focused on this year:
1. The Hauge Boulevard near the Campground where there’s an island with prohibited parking on three sides as it is fire route and tow-way zone. This area would need additional signage so people understand they can’t park there.
2. Rabbit Street North and Stanley Street to address concerns and challenges faced by the fire department as parked cars make it difficult or impossible for them to turn around in that location.
Coun. Mary Coulas asked for clarification around funding new signs. Erdmann said that he expects there would be limited signage costs this year.
Once staff determine the immediate necessity for certain areas, signage would be funded through department 20 and 40 operating budgets.
He went on to say that the intent is to really spread the costs out over a number of years, possibly into 2028 as the signage is extremely expensive to purchase.
Coun. Henry questioned the cost recovery structure of the new by-law and it’s enforcement.
Erdmann answered by saying the intent is that the penalty amounts (fines) would go back into Department 13, which will be used for by-law enforcements, signage, Etc.
He said the township has the ability to recoup some costs though it’s not viewed as an income source, it is a funding stream.
Council approved the staff recommendation from Erdmann to implement the parking by-law.
More information about parking by-laws within Selwyn township can be found through the township website at selwyntownship.ca.
