Paid Saturday parking for downtown overturned by Halifax budget committee | 24CA News
Halifax’s finances committee has determined to overturn its prior resolution to implement paid parking in downtown areas on Saturdays after pushback from quite a lot of companies and associations.
In a slim 8-9 vote final month, the committee voted to start charging $2 per hour for parking within the downtown Halifax and Dartmouth areas on Saturdays.
The municipality has estimated that implementing paid downtown parking on Saturday would usher in an extra $538,000 in income for the 2023-24 12 months.
But after listening to from a dozen audio system Tuesday afternoon, most of whom spoke out towards the plan, the committee voted to rescind the prior movement.
Plenty of individuals who personal companies or work downtown advised the committee that workers and prospects who drive downtown don’t need to pay for parking on Saturdays. Some additionally stated transit will not be dependable sufficient to maneuver folks into the downtown core.
Sue Uteck, government director Spring Garden Area Business Association, stated the transfer was a “blindside” for the companies she represents and stated it was “another blow to absorb” after COVID-19. She requested for the choice to be deferred for one more 12 months.
After listening to from the general public audio system, a number of councillors stated they’d be keen to revisit the problem in a future finances, however stated now will not be the time.
“Is this the time? I don’t think it is,” stated Waye Mason, the councillor for Halifax South-Downtown, who beforehand voted towards charging for Saturday parking.
Coun. Lisa Blackburn initially voted in favour of implementing paid Saturday parking downtown, as different main cities cost for Saturday parking.
But on Tuesday, she stated she had a “sober second thought” after listening to in regards to the challenges companies downtown proceed to face throughout COVID-19.
“Not one of the speakers stood here and said, ‘Don’t do this ever,’” she stated. “The vast majority realize that this is something that is coming, but now is not the time.”
The movement to rescind the earlier resolution, put ahead by Coun. Pamela Lovelace, required two-thirds, or 12 councillors, to vote sure to cross. The movement handed 13-4, with councillors David Hendsbee, Lindell Smith, Shawn Cleary and Patty Cuttell voting towards.
Cleary, one of many dissenting voters, stated a greater manner to assist downtown companies could be to get extra folks residing downtown, “not continue to subsidize and externalize the cost of car ownership.”
He additionally stated transit ridership on Saturdays has now surpassed pre-pandemic ranges, and took word of the local weather disaster and the significance of transferring folks away from dependence on private autos.
Tyler Higgins, finances and reserves supervisor for the municipality, stated with out the additional projected income from Saturday parking, the typical residential tax invoice would enhance barely by 5.9 per cent, quite than the 5.8 per cent beforehand projected.
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