The Town would like to provide additional information to residents regarding changes to the parking by-law that were recently approved by Council. The amendment to the parking by-law includes the addition of parking restrictions on a number of rural roads where there has been a significant increase in on street parking.
The Town would like to clarify that the focus of the by-law amendment is to balance the needs of residents seeking access to outdoor trails and open spaces, while also meeting the requirement to address safety issues and ensure access for emergency vehicles and snowplows is maintained.
Through this effort, the Town will be installing No Parking signs at specific areas of concern and where hazard situations have been experienced and identified. This will include areas where cars commonly park on both sides of the road, where there are bends in the road, and where parking may prevent access to residential laneways.
“In many instances, cars have been parked on both sides of the street, blocking emergency vehicle and snowplow access,” explained Mayor Alar Soever. “The intent is not to restrict parking along entire stretches of various roads. Instead, the Town will use the newly amended parking by-law to address and install signage at key problem areas throughout the Town. This approach is only an interim measure as we work towards solving the parking issues through more permanent solutions.”
The Town would like to remind members of the public that in addition to the Town’s parking by-law, on street parking is mandated under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
Please be considerate and help ensure community safety by adhering to parking guidelines, and do not park in any of the following locations:
- On any street in such a manner as to obstruct traffic;
- Within 10 meters of an intersecting roadway;
- In front of a public or private driveway;
- In such a position as will prevent the convenient removal of any other vehicle previously parked or standing;
- Directly opposite another on any street where the width of the vehicular travelled portion of the street or the width of the width between curbs is less than 8.3 meters or where such standing or parking would prevent the free passage of two lines of traffic is obstructed on any street, the vehicles parked on both sides will be deemed to have violated the provisions of this section. (On narrow roads this precludes all parking directly opposite another vehicle parked on the other side of the road).
When visiting a trail or outdoor natural area in the Town, please be prepared and plan ahead for parking, and note that the amended parking by-law, alongside restrictions outlined in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act will continue to be enforced to ensure public safety. To learn about outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Grey County, please visit: https://grey.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=20fe9749709e4b7b89ea7615b27b8b15
To view the Town’s parking By-law, please visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/document_viewer.cfm?bylaw=39
For more information, please contact: