Huntsville cracking down on illegal parking at Dara Howell Way
Huntsville General Committee indicated they will be cracking down on illegal parking at Dara Howell Way, in the March 27, 2024, meeting.
Upon consideration for additional parking in this location, The Town’s Civil Engineering Technologist, Brandon Hall, advised that staff brought an emergency truck on the 7-metre road to estimate the space available and concluded that there isn’t much space for them.
He indicated that it’s also “a substandard road and doesn’t meet the standards for current parking at one side (the south side).”
Staff recommend the Town do a parking strategy to determine how they can manage the parking congestion in the area.
Councillor, Bob Stone, expressed disappointment with the outcome and recommendation for another study. He said, “I don’t want to pay for another consultant to tell us something we already know.” He suggested that they consider a multi-level parking garage in the future budget.
Councillor, Monty Clouthier, indicated that people from larger cities have no problem parking in one location and walking a distance to get to places like malls, such as they do at the Vaughan Mall. He suggested that encouraging this would also allow people to enjoy the heritage buildings and draw attention to the downtown core.
Councillor, Helena Renwick, advised that the Town has 2000 parking spaces downtown, and parking is still an issue for businesses in that area, “with cars parking illegally.” She added, “It’s a big mess.”
Renwick suggested the Town look into specific areas with a study, such as a parking garage, rather than a general one. She said, “Something has to be done. It’s a constant knife in their side.”
Hall advised that a parking study is in the Strategic Plan, which is what staff uses for direction. He said, “Considering how tight Dara Howell Way is it’s appropriate to look at a strategy which looks at what’s in front of you.”
Clouthier suggested stricter enforcement is the only solution to stop people from parking illegally. He said, “If they’re parked in a fire route tow them. Word spreads fast. Same as Dara Howell Way.”
He added, “By-law, fine them, and tow them.”
Committee members agreed with efforts toward stricter enforcement and that parking there is an issue that has to be better managed.
Councillor, Scott Morrison, concurred that they need to come up with a better parking solution. He said, “I think it’s time we had a real strategy. It does need to be looked at with a critical eye.”
Committee directed staff to investigate parking at Dara Howell Way, and to come up with a strategy for expanding parking downtown and include it for consideration in the 2025 budget.
