A series of parking changes will soon be implemented in Burns Lake to enhance the number of available parking spots in the downtown core.
Earlier this year council approved the inclusion of $2000 in this year’s budget to limit the time that people are allowed park on Hwy. 16 - between Centre Street and First Avenue. One loading zone will be implemented, with the remainder of that highway section having a two-hour maximum parking time limit.
The village has been waiting for the Ministry of Transportation’s approval, permits and signs, but expects that the loading zone and short-term parking will be implemented within the next few weeks.
The village still hasn’t decided what the fines will be for non-compliance. A village staff report outlining different options will be presented to council in the next few weeks.
In addition to the short-term parking and loading zone, the village will be making adjustments to the parking lot adjacent to the Canada Post office, opening up access via the alley which connects Hwy. 16 to Third Avenue.
These changes come after several complaints from community members and business owners concerned about the lack of available parking in the downtown core. This issue was also brought to council by RCMP staff sergeant Charlotte Peters, who says the local detachment has received many complaints from community members who feel that parking spaces should be reserved for visitors and people who spend money on local businesses.
Earlier this year the village held a meeting with local business owners to gather feedback and discuss possible solutions.
Some of the solutions proposed include expanding of the parking lot located across the street from Alternative Grounds at a cost of $140,000; re-configuring the parking lot to allow more parking spaces at a cost of $20,000; and adding handicapped parking, which would cost $4500.
Burns Lake Mayor Chris said he agreed with most of the solutions proposed, with the exception of spending $140,000 to expand the parking lot.
“I’d like us to get more of what we have, and adding loading zones seems to be widely supported,” he said.
Although the village might still move ahead with some of these suggestions, they aren’t likely to start in 2017.
According to the current bylaw that regulates and controls traffic within the village’s boundaries (Bylaw 483), parking along Hwy. 16 cannot exceed 24 hours.
