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Street Parking Update – University Heights

Jun 28, 2018

SEE Flyer delivered to residents June 28th  

I have confirmed with the Winnipeg Parking Authority (July 27th, 2018) that the Winnipeg Parking Authority will be removing the time restricted parking at the end of University Crescent between Pasadena and Grierson. Removal of this time restricted parking on University Crescent will then prohibit any resident on University Crescent from purchasing a Residential Parking Permit and parking anywhere in the Fort Richmond Zone.

This is a complicated issue and details are provided below. I want to express my thanks to area resident Jason D. for his diligent efforts and professionalism working with City staff and myself on this issue. As a result, the Winnipeg Parking Authority will be expanding their analysis of the Residential Parking Permit program and with the goal of improving overall communication and internal process.

BACKGROUND AND DETAILS:

At the public hearing on June 5th I based my decision to allow the development and parking variance for 30-34 University Crescent on this information:

SEE  Email #1 dated the morning of the hearing – from the City Area Planner – where they state:

  • I have received confirmation that the residents of the proposed development are not eligible to receive parking permits, as no street parking is available on University Crescent
  • I have to trust the planners information – as this is their job to know the file – they are the professionals.

As a follow up to questions asked by area resident Jason D. – I then inquired with the Winnipeg Parking Authority.

SEE Email #2 from the Winnipeg Parking Authority that came in later in the day – 1.5 hours before the Community Committee meeting started. (with 30+ items on the agenda)

  • residents of 34 University Cres are eligible to purchase a Residential Parking Permit, as there is time restricted parking located on University Cres
  • COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF what I was told earlier by the planner
  • I then asked in another email WHERE the time restricted parking was on University Crescent and was told it was on the  West Side of University Crescent between Grierson Avenue & Pasadena Avenue
  • Knowing Grierson and Pasadena are at the FAR end of University Crescent – I felt confident that residents of 34 University Crescent would not park their cars at the FAR end of University Crescent

I took the Winnipeg Parking Authority information and these facts into consideration when approving the development and parking variance:

  • University Crescent has evolved into a major arterial street experiencing over 18,700 vehicular trips per day.  For context, University Crescent receives more traffic than many streets in the downtown including Donald Street (15,200 between Portage and Broadway), Smith Street (17,500 between Portage and Broadway), and St. Mary Avenue (16,800 between Donald Street and Main Street).
  • University Crescent is a gateway to the University of Manitoba campus which services over 30,000 students, faculty, and staff.
  • The subject properties are located at a major intersection next to the Pembina Highway Regional Mixed Use Corridor and Bishop Grandin and serviced by a number of public transit routes including some high frequency and express routes (i.e., Routes #60, #37, #51, #62, #63, #70, #75, #76, #78, #160).
  • University Crescent is characterized by a mix of multi-family, single family, institutional and commercial land uses
  • The Urban Planning Division supports infill for a number of reasons:
    • Accommodates Winnipeg’s projected growth in a sustainable way;
    • Concentrates urban development in a built form that helps to optimize existing investment, municipal infrastructure, and facilities (local community clubs, schools, parks, libraries, etc).
    • Concentrates people and jobs in areas well-served by the primary transit service, located close to transit stops.

WHAT WAS UNCLEAR TO ME WAS:

  • That a residential parking permit on a street with time restricted parking (University Cres) enables a vehicle to park ANYWHERE within the Ft Richmond Zone (see last point in email #2)
  • I have always been under the belief that the parking permit allowed residents to ONLY park on the STREET they resided on.
  • I understood – incorrectly – that because the Winnipeg Parking Authority always has so much rigor related to the STREET address when someone purchases a Residential Parking Permit that the restriction applies to ONLY the street they reside on. See bottom of page: http://theparkingstore.winnipeg.ca/theparkingstore/parkingInfo/residentialParkingProgram.stm so I ASSUMED they could only park on the street they lived on.

THE SOLUTION:

I have confirmed with the Winnipeg Parking Authority that they will be removing  the time restricted parking at the end of University Crescent between Pasadena and Grierson. Removal of this time restricted parking on University Crescent will then prohibit any resident on University Crescent from purchasing a Residential Parking Permit and parking anywhere in the Fort Richmond Zone.

EMAIL  #1********************************

From: Area City Planner
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 8:38 AM
To: Area Resident Jason D
Subject: RE: 30-34 University Crescent

Good morning,

Thank you for your message.  You have raised important points and I hope you will be attending the Riel Community Committee meeting this evening to raise these points for public record.  Regarding the availability of reports online, please note that reports are published 4 working days prior to the meeting date.
I have received confirmation that the residents of the proposed development are not eligible to receive parking permits, as no street parking is available on University Crescent and only residents of a street participating in the Residential Parking Program are eligible to receive permits (they are required to provide proof of residence).

Regards,
Area City Planner

EMAIL  #2 ********************************

From: Winnipeg Parking Authority
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 3:02 PM
To: Lukes, Janice – City Councillor, South Winnipeg-St Norbert
Subject: Re: 30-34 University Crescent

Hi,
There is a one hour parking restriction on the West Side of University Crescent between Grierson Avenue & Pasadena Avenue.

Regards,
Winnipeg Parking Authority

From: Lukes, Janice – City Councillor, South Winnipeg-St Norbert
Sent: Jun 5, 2018, at 2:49 PM
To: Winnipeg Parking Authority

Can you tell me WHERE the time restricted parking on University Crescent is please  – so we know for the hearing.

Janice

From: Winnipeg Parking Authority
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 2:48 PM
To: Lukes, Janice – City Councillor, South Winnipeg-St Norbert
Subject: Re: 30-34 University Crescent

Hi Councillor,
Received this response from our permits department.
Based on current procedures, residents of 34 University Cres are eligible to purchase a Residential Parking Permit, as there is time restricted parking located on University Cres, within the Fort Richmond Zone.