15-minute parking is on the agenda for Picton Main Street. The Traffic Advisory Committee is recommending three spots.

The problem is not a lack of Main Street parking spots. It’s people hogging them all day.

County Drugstore owner and pharmacist Karl Sitarski, along with Scotiabank’s branch manager Kim Laird, asked the Committee to create short-term spots at strategic locations on Main Street las week. The matter comes to Council June 11.

It’s Mr. Sitarski’s position that a lack of parking turnover is adversely affecting his business and preventing residents from being able to run quick errands.

“The current parking congestion has led to a loss of business for many of us as, it has become increasingly inconvenient for residents to do business on Main Street,” Mr. Sitarski said.

“Local customers struggle to find available parking spaces, which discourages them from visiting our establishments. As a result, foot traffic has declined, impacting our revenue and livelihoods.”

Parking all day

Mr. Sitarski said he has witnessed a good number of all-day parkers in front of his pharmacy, leading him to wonder why they are not using the free parking lots at King or Mary Street. He wondered if parking limits are actually being enforced.

Motorists paying for parking can use either the terminals on Main Street or the Passport parking app.

County spokesperson Mark Kerr confirmed that street parkers can purchase as few as 10 minutes for 25 cents. A maximum of two hours can be purchased at a time at a cost of $3. Once that two-hour allotment has ended, parkers must move along.

“On-street parking is restricted by a two-hour limit. Vehicles are to move every two hours. A ticket is issued if the limit is exceeded,” said Mr. Kerr.

He noted off-street parking at municipal lots such as the one north of Main street between Ross and Paul offers rates of 25 cents for approximately 30 minutes up to a maximum of $4 for the day.

A primary concern

Ms. Laird, of Scotiabank, said she, too, has noted a very slow rate of parking space turnover in the area of 211-219 Main Street.

“It’s really becoming the main concern for our elderly customers,” she said. “We have competition in Picton that doesn’t have the parking issues we do and it’s costing us business.”

There is a designated Accessible Parking spot for those with an Ontario accessible parking permit in front of the County Drugstore. But not everyone has the permit.

Mr. Sitarski suggested three 15-minute parking spots be created in front of 219 and 211 Main Street.

“I am hopeful that together we can help promote Picton Main Street as a more convenient place to do business.”

The matter comes before Council this evening