Free parking could end as city ponders monthly fee

Enjoy the free parking at the former Motorways trucking yard while it lasts.

At Monday evening's city council meeting, bylaw manager John Taylor proposed that council move ahead with a bylaw that would see the city charge $50 per month for a Monday-to-Friday parking spot on the vacant lot at the corner of Second Avenue and Black Street.

"This is a very temporary parkade," Taylor said. He later noted the proposal comes forward because with a number of people parking there, it's a chance for the city to generate some revenue.

The site is one of a number of properties the city has been trying, unsuccessfully, to sell since last year.

There are, however, a number of residents using the vacant lot to park their vehicles downtown through the day, Taylor told the city. He estimated there are anywhere from 50 to 70 vehicles there on any given day.

The paved area proposed for the temporary parking could hold upwards of 150 vehicles, he said, adding the spots would not provide electricity in the winter, as other city parking sites do.

The city would need all 150 spots to be paid for one month and at least 50 more next month to break even on the estimated costs of $10,000 a month, proposed to come out of the parking reserve.

The $10,000 would pay for development and signs advertising where parking is and isn't permitted. Signs would also be posted stating the site is a temporary parkade, something those purchasing the parking permits would be informed of as well.

"In the event that the property sells, the permit holders will receive 30 days' written notice to move their vehicles and find other parking," reads the administrative report Taylor presented to council.

Questioned by Coun. Dave Austin, Taylor said so far those who have heard of the proposal have reacted positively to it, stating they're willing to pay for the spaces.

An education campaign to let drivers know it is going to be a paid parking area would also be part of the plans, Taylor said.

Demand for parking spots in that area has been on the rise of late with the re-development of area buildings, and thus more workers, that now house office space for the Council of Yukon First Nations, Erik's Audiotronic and Plantation Flowers.

The CYFN turned down an offer from the city to lease a portion of property after bringing forward its concerns around parking in the area, Taylor said.

The city has owned the property since 1994, when it bought the Motorways yard from the British Yukon Railway.

After public consultation and an environmental clean-up, the Motorways Master Plan was completed in 2004, proposing the area as a "thriving, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use, residential/commercial neighbourhood."

Subdivision of the site then passed in 2007, with the lots such as this one going on sale last year.

Council will vote on whether to move forward with the bylaw at its meeting next week.

Coun. Jan Stick was absent from Monday's council meeting.