Collingwood will be testing out paid parking at Sunset point this Labour Day weekend.
Tonight, council voted in favour of a pilot project to charge $5 per hour for parking at several lots and angle parking spots along Sunset Point Park.
While there’s no resident pass included in the pilot project, the resident parking lot at Sunset Point’s east end will remain reserved for residents and parking will be free in that lot.
Those with accessible parking permits will also be able to park for free.
The town will be using a phone app to collect payment. Those parking in the municipal lots at Sunset Point Park and in the angle parking and perpendicular parking on St. Lawrence Street would be required to pay for their spot through the app. Princeton Shores Park will also be included in the paid parking pilot project.
Bylaw officers can also use the app to scan licence plates to see if the vehicle is registered as paid or if the time has expired. Tickets can be issued where necessary. Parking violations will carry a fee of $30.
Chief Building Official Greg Miller noted there isn’t enough time between now and labour day to increase the fine for a parking violation, but that’s something council can revisit after the pilot project.
“We’re quite excited about this project,” said Miller. “It’s a game changer.”
The app will also have an interactive map that shows real-time availability of parking spaces in Collingwood. Those who pay for parking will also get a notification when their paid time is getting close to running out.
Miller hopes to transition to the app-based parking payment system by October for a “full roll-out.”
Following the Labour Day weekend pilot project, staff will report back to council with the findings and recommendations for a permanent paid parking program for Sunset Point.
