In response to concerns about parking issues in the downtown area of Millbrook, Operations Manager Drew Hutchison presented a report which offered some temporary relief for businesses, residents and shoppers in the downtown area.
The concerns range from overnight parking, inadequate parking in general and the lack of accessible spaces in particular. The parking shortage has been exacerbated recently by the closure of Needlers Lane for the watermain replacement and for the development of the downtown park, as well as seasonal outdoor patios.
The report proposed the use of municipally owned lots in the downtown area to provide an interim parking solution. These locations include the old Fire Station at 52 King St. East, 1 Union Street, 3 Centre Street and 5 Centre Street. Utilizing these lots for public parking increases the total number of available parking spaces in downtown Millbrook by more than 60 parking spaces, bringing the total number of spaces to 170, including 40 spaces at the Old Millbrook School.
The cancellation of the sale of the Union St. property to Canada Post frees up some of that space for additional public parking. Canada Post has requested four to six dedicated parking spaces for its delivery vehicles. This request is expected to be covered in a new lease agreement with an annual fee. The asphalt area behind old Fire Hall location at 52 King Street provides an additional ten public parking spaces.
The report also requested that the municipality offer temporary, transient parking (no overnight parking) at the 3 and 5 Centre Street locations which are owned by the township and currently listed for sale. Twenty-one additional spots will become available in the new downtown park when the park is developed.
Council approved the recommendation, which will require new signage and maintenance activities estimated to cost $3200 which will be absorbed into the Roads operational budget.