Penticton staff recommend costing out expansion of city’s metered parking

The results of a city parking survey are in and city staff would like to move forward with a more in-depth financial analysis looking at an expansion of Penticton’s metered parking program.

The city is taking another look at parking rates as COVID-19 economic impacts have forced staff to look at new sources of revenue to make up for a predicted shortfall next year.

At the July 21 council meeting, staff got the go-ahead to survey the public on a proposed expansion of the city’s metered parking program, which was to include downtown areas, Lakeshore Drive and Okanagan Lake parking lots, Skaha Park and nearby streets, the South Okanagan Events Centre and resident-only parking areas.

Results of two surveys, one of which was random and the other a public version completed by anyone interested in the subject, were mixed, a staff report prepared for tomorrow’s regular council meeting, Aug. 18, noted.

Those answering the random survey supported expansion of the city’s pay parking system as a way to correct a budget shortfall, while those answering the public survey preferred the city explore other options, and were especially opposed to expanding pay parking at the city’s parks and beaches.

In spite of the continuing contentiousness of the issue, city staffers would like to move forward with further financial analysis of their expansion plans.

Council at tomorrow’s meeting will be asked to approve a detailed financial analysis of expansion of the city’s downtown metered spaces, and adding waterfront meters at Okanagan and Skaha Lake beaches, on a seasonal basis.

Staff are also looking at raising parking fees to $2 an hour from $1.25 an hour in addition to a $10 daily rate for parking lots and lakefront areas.

Resident parking rates would be set at $25 annually and parking fees at the South Okanagan Events Centre would be not be considered at this time.

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