Ottawa committee delays fees for evening, weekend parking

An unpopular plan to start charging for metered parking in downtown Ottawa at night and on weekends has been put off by city councillors, who predict the plan may change.

The city had intended to start charging new fees on Feb. 1, but councillors on the corporate services and environment committee voted Tuesday to delay the new fees until March 1.

The move is to give city staff time to prepare a report on the impact of the plan, to be provided to the city's transportation committee on Feb. 6.

It will also give businesses and residents a chance to voice their concerns.

Downtown businesses, residents and community groups have been campaigning to stop the plan to end free weekend and evening parking in areas such as Wellington Street, Preston Street, Bank Street and the Byward Market. They said that could drive business away from the city centre.

Coun. Maria McRae, who brought forward the motion to defer the fees, said public outcry has already been overwhelming.

"I don't think I've received more e-mail messages about any other issue in the last four years of office," she said.

Coun. Diane Deans said the city may need to consider changing the proposed policy on evening and weekend parking downtown.

"I think we're going to have to give it some sober second thought," she said.

Mayor Larry O'Brien agreed that sections of the policy will likely change, but said an increase in the price of metered parking during other times to $3 from $2.50 an hour will likely go ahead.

According to city budget documents, charging for parking on weekends will provide about $665,000 in extra revenue each year, while evening parking on weekdays will bring in almost $1.3 million. The increase in parking meter rates will earn $775,000 and adding new parking meters will bring in $480,000.

The city has not said what it will do to make up for the lost revenue and balance the budget if councillors decide not to charge for evening and weekend parking.