Saint John council limits free parking in city's south end

Saint John council passed a bylaw on Tuesday evening that limits parking anywhere in the south end to two hours, meaning more than 100 commuters will have to find a new place to park.

Drivers have longbeen able to park for free on a portion of the streets for the entire day.

Coun. Gerry Lowe says the new bylaw that limits free parkingwas requested by his constituents.

"The residents of the ward, they'll be able to park at their own houses," he said.

• Saint John council split over ending free south-end parking

"You know, for the last many years, they'll come home from shift work and someone will already be parked there starting at 7:30 in the morning."

Many people working in uptown Saint John offices took advantage of this rule, parking in the area and walking to work.

Now, drivers are limited to two hours of free parking inthe entire south central peninsula.

This issue had been under debatefor a number of years, with many arguing that it would not only make it easier for residents to park, but would also increase revenue for the city through parking fees.

'Right thing to do'

Lowe even drove Mayor Don Darling around the city in the early hours last week to illustrate the problem faced by his constituents.

"For the people that live in the south end, it's a change that will work for themand it'll work out," he said.

Residents will be able to buy an unlimitedpass that allows them to park in their designated zone for $42.48, plus HST.

"I mean, to me, that's the right thing to do and that's what the people wanted done down there."

Lowe called for an end to all-day free parking to non-residents in the central peninsula area a year ago.

Lowe said last August he hoped to push more motorists into city managed parking lots, including Peel Plaza.

Issues with implementation

While all councillors were on board with the proposal, there were some concerns that the public hadn't been appropriately notified of this change.

Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary brought the issue up initially, wanting to table the third reading until the public could be notified of other potential spaces to park.

Coun.Gary Sullivan agreed, suggesting a transition period.

"Is it mandatory that they start ticketing tomorrow?" he said.

"Can, for two weeks, we be dropping pamphlets, saying in two weeks this will be a ticket, but here are places you can park and make arrangements?"

Ian MacKinnon the city's parking commissioner,assured everybody that people wouldn't be ticketed immediately, but rather that the implementation plan would take roughly four or five weeks to put in place.

With that in mind, the third reading passed unanimously.