All-day free parking in Saint John’s south end is poised to become a thing of the past.
Common Council has given the green light to expanding the enforcement area in the South Central Peninsula for the two-hour parking rule and also expanding the regulated area for residential parking permits.
First and second reading of the amendments to the traffic bylaw passed unanimously.
The Saint John Parking Commission believes the expansion of the enforcement area into the southernmost and southeastern portion of the peninsula would mean more revenue for the commission and the city of Saint John. It’s also claiming another benefit of this would be consistency throughout for those living in the area.
(Image from the Saint John Parking Commission)
Signage will be put in place in the new area under the two-hour between 8am and 5pm parking rule, according to CEO of the Parking Commission Ian MacKinnon.
He also says they wouldn’t have to hire more staff to enforce this.
“Based on a number of changes that we’ve recently made, we believe we can enforce this area with this current complement of staff,” says MacKinnon.
Mayor Don Darling is supportive of the change, but voiced the importance of keeping people informed.
“Just wanna make sure we’re providing good information to folks in terms of number one, where do they go?” says Darling. “So if two-hour parking doesn’t work, what information are we providing to folks about what are the alternatives for them?”
The amendments still need third and final reading from Common Council before they are officially approved.
