Turner Valley council is moving fast to put in a new parking policy which it hopes will help put the community's economy in a higher gear.
“When you look at communities that are seeking to look attractive and stay ahead of others that are seeking to attract economic development as well, to have a barrier regarding parking in today’s world doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said Turner Valley Coun. Jonathan Gordon. “What we decided to do is look at businesses and what can we do for parking.”
The proposed changes of parking requirements which are part of changes to land-use bylaws, would eliminate parking restrictions for non-residential development in Turner Valley.
At present, there are requirements for businesses to have a certain amount of parking spaces for occupancy in a facility.
For example, a drinking establishment needs one parking spot for every four seats. A restaurant requires one parking space per 37 square metres and 1 space/4 seats.
Gordon said such policies kill investment in the community.
“Our planner (Michelle Ouellette, director of development and Infrastructure) put it in perspective when I proposed this,” Gordon said. “She said it makes sense to have an open option parking so that each business can determine parking – do they need parking?
“If they need parking, the developer will be smart enough to create that parking. If they don’t need the parking, why put that onerous portion of parking on them.”
Gordon said the proposed parking amendment has already brought one potential developer back to the table.
At Turner Valley council’s Feb. 16 meeting, developer Peter Sutherland presented a 9,000 to 11,000 square feet development which hinged on changes to Turner Valley parking requirements changing.
“We were going to start on this a year-and-a-half ago, and left because of the parking bylaws,” he told council. “It is the only thing that brought us back to the table – it was a huge deal.”
Gordon added he hopes the proposed changing of parking restrictions will build momentum for more businesses coming to Turner Valley.
The parking proposal is not unprecedented. The policy of no restrictions for businesses has been in place in High River for the past few years. High River does have some restrictions in its downtown core. There is no parking in some areas. As well there is a three-hour parking maximum in parts of the downtown core.
There are several parking lots downtown in High River.
However, there is no obligation for businesses to provide parking as part of its development plan – or pay cash in lieu – for parking spaces.
"It is exactly what High River did and the City of Edmonton has gone that as well,” Ouellette said. “It leads to more efficient use of land and it allows business owner and the developer to determine what their market requires for parking.”
Ouellette stressed that the change is not yet part in place – and is still a proposal.
At present, there is a survey concerning proposed changes to the Turner Valley Land Use bylaw at its website.
There will be public notification and engagement concerning changes to the land-use bylaw.
Gordon speculated that would occur in March.
