Ok......potentially big news, in a report to next week's Infrastructure and Environment Ctte staff are recommending developing a holistic parking strategy for the City.
Report here:
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222862.pdf
Nothing is achieved by approving the budgeted study. However, the tone suggests some new policies many here will like (myself included); and suggests a need for many of us to be engaged when any public process comes forward later this year.
There is lots of verbiage in this report that does not lend itself to being transcribed or copied here.
Some of it continues to express the value of provided parking (which I don't totally disagree with); what's key here is that virtually everything is on the table; and the thrust of any changes.
On the table:
Permit parking (form, price etc.)
Carsharing
Visitor Parking standards
Green P lots
Front Yard Parking pads
Curb-side parking on streets.
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Here's the encouraging tone:
Ugh at the use of 'world-class'.........but otherwise:
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Summation (my pov):
The City is definitely putting reallocation of curbside space on the table with an eye to wider sidewalks, cycle tracks and patio space. The question is going to be one of degree.
A strong emphasis on the need for high-turnover/short-stay parking for businesses suggests substantial increases in parking rates are on the table; I strongly suspect these may be
time variable according to demand, something that has been tested elsewhere already.
I think we will see more reserved spaces for carsharing, likely w/EV charging available and possibly at lower cost than current rates.
Permit parking will stay, but will definitely get some form of simplification, I'm hopeful that increase rates will also be part of the conversation.
Front Yard pads will get uniform rules, my hope being that these will further limit new pads and even incentivize removal of existing ones.
Finally, very clear that Green P assets will be monetized. Parking lot redevelopment is coming, at scale. The only questions will be will be how much is profit-focused vs
affordable housing or other city-building initiatives like parks.