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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-029-09nn . M Leadi~e WaJ REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ~ /bg-0Q Date: Monday, March 9, 2009 Report #: PSD-029-09 File #: PLN 38.1 By-law #: Subject: POTENTIAL SITES FOR COMMUTER PARKING LOTS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT PSD-029-09 be received; and THAT GO Transit be requested to investigate the possibility of a commuter parking lot in Newcastle Village or at the interchange of Highway 115135 with Durham Highway 2. Submitted by: avid J. Crome, MCIP, RPP ` Director of Planning Services FL/df 3 March 2009 Reviewed by: ~UL.(S~"'-' ranklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-029-09 1.0 BACKGROUND PAGE 2 1.1 On June 9, 2008 Council requested the Director of Planning Services and Director of Engineering Services consider opportunities for commuter parking lots and report back to Council. As part of the investigation, municipal lands and facilities in proximity to GO Transit facilities and the planning for future transit hubs along the 407 were considered. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 As part of their services, most GO Rail stations have customer parking. At the present time, they do not charge for parking, although there is a fee for reserved, parking spaces at most stations. Free parking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers can park for a maximur-i of 48 hours (free or reserved spaces). Free commuter parking for 80+ cars is providetl for at the GO Transit site in Bowmanville. To date, there has been some demand for commuter parking in Newcastle, as evidenced by resident calls to members of Council and staff. This demand was particularly noticed when the gas prices were quite high, a situation which could return after the economic slowdown. GO Transit has initiated a feasibility study on the extension of GO rail service to Bowmanville. When this happens, additional parking will be provided at the future Bowmanville and Courtice stations. 2.2 Should the Municipality wish to provide commuter parking on municipally owned sites in close proximity to the GO Transit sites, there are three potential options for commuter parking facilities • Use of downtown perking lots • Use of community park sites • Construction of a new parking lot on existing municipal lands 2.3 Downtown Parking Lots It is not recommended that monthly parking passes be sold to GO commuters in downtown parking lots in Newcastle and Bowmanville. These lots were established in support of the business improvement areas and. there is a general perception that these lots are fully used during the daytime hours, when commuters would need parking facilities. 2.4 Community Park Sites Staff have reviewed the parking needs at municipally owned facilities in Newcastle and Bowmanville that are within walking distance of the GO Transit stops. The new Newcastle & District Recreation Complex and Garnet B. Rickard Complex were designed with parking to meet the needs of the facility. Community Services advises that they could not at this time accommodate additional commuter parking on site as it is anticipated that the commuter parking times may coincide with evening programs when the lots are already full. However, .knowing more specifics with regards to the number of vehicles and time periods would be beneficial. REPORT NO.: PSD-029-09 PAGE 3 2.5 Construction of New Parking Areas for on Existing Municipal Lands The municipality owns lands along Highway 2 near Wilmot Creek which could be enhanced to accommodate commuters. While a parking area could be constructed in advance of a future municipal facility (such as soccer fields), there would be concerns that in the future, those parking spaces .would need to be returned for municipal services. Additionally, to address the costs of improvements and regulate the parking (keep it as commuter only parking) on municipal lands, it would be necessary to have commuters pay a parking fee and display a parking permit such that enforcement can happen. The commuter parking fee should be commensurate with the facility provided and would be a portion of the cost of a monthly parking pass for the downtown lots. In reviewing the parking Reserve Fund, the anticipated year-end balance is only $122,410. Funds collected to date have largely been from the BIA areas for the expansion and operation of those lots. Costs for a paved parking lot would be approximately $5,100.00 to $5,750.00 per space or approximately $112,000.00 fora 20 space parking lot. A gravel parking lot would be considerably less expensive at approximately $2,500.00 to $2,650.00 per space or approximately $53,000.00 fora 20 space parking lot. 2.6 If Council wishes to pursue the option of improving the parking at Highway 2 and Wilmot Creek for commuter parking, Engineering, Operations and Clerk's will have to bring forward specific recommendations on the enhancements required and the fees for a commuter parking pass. It should also be integrated with the overall Park Master Plan prepared by Engineering Services. In addition, there will be ongoing maintenance costs for snow clearing and other related items, and replacement on a lifecycle basis. 2.7 Notwithstanding the review above, Staff's view is that the responsibility for commuter parking should be the. responsibility of GO Transit. It is recommended that Council request GO Transit investigate the possibility of developing a commuter parking lot in Newcastle Village or at the interchange of Highway 35/115 and Durham Highway 2. This initiative could be combined with acar-pooling site in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation. 3.0 CONCLUSIONS 3.1 Commuter parking sites in proximity to transit facilities are part of the long term goals of the transportation policies contained in everything from the Provincial Growth Plan to the Clarington Official Plan. During the review of the transportation section, as part of the overall Official Plan review, there will be great emphasis placed on the accommodation of other modes of transportation. As part of this review an Active Transportation Plan that includes pedestrian, cyclists and commuters will be developed. However, transit service is provided by other levels of government and associated parking facilities should also be included. It is recommended that GO Transit be requested to review this issue, with particular emphasis on commuter parking in or near Newcastle Village. REPORT NO.: PSD-029-09 PAGE 4 3.2 Durham Regional Transit (DRT) is moving forward with its efforts to produce a Long- Term Transit Strategy. DRT initiated the development of a comprehensive plan to integrate Rapid Transit and other sustainable transportation modes into the Growth Plan for Durham. The first in a series of Open Houses will be held in Newcastle on March 25~h. 2009.