Online petition prompts councillor to seek parking review

Thunder Bay - If a group of residents have their way, a stretch of residential road near the hospital could be off-limits to parking.

After residents submitted a change.org petition with more than 240 signatures, Red River Councillor Michael Zussino asked the city to consider designating the south side of Sunrise Avenue between South Creek Street and Golf Course Road as a no-parking zone.

"During my time on council, some residents in the area have expressed concerns about the traffic bottleneck caused by the eight parking spots on Sunrise Avenue," Zussino told The News Watch.

He said residents believe vehicles parked on the south side of Sunrise Avenue between South Creek Street and Golf Course Road are encroaching on a no-parking zone, forcing drivers to park on the other side of the street, "making it very difficult to get in and out of the subdivision."

In winter, snow accumulation makes the traffic congestion worse.

"It's not easy to get through. Operationally, it also becomes an issue for snow removal, because if those cars are parked there, you can't do a good job of plowing," Zussino said.

Zussino said people may be parking on Sunrise Avenue because it's close to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

"People seem to be very much against it because it saves them $30 or $40 in parking fees. I'm not sure why, but whatever the motivation, some people still want to do it," he said. "But ultimately, if it's going to cause a safety issue for the community."

In a memo to council, Zussino said he has spoken with the city's traffic engineering technologist and municipal parking services to better understand the parking history in the area.

"When it was originally set up, the new buildings hadn't been constructed yet. Now things are different. Maybe it's time to reassess and see if something needs to be done," Zussino said.

He said if a no-parking zone is established on the south side, their main concern is that people will start parking further into the subdivision.

"So, the devil you know versus the devil you don't," Zussino said.

"I hope they at least take a look at it," he added.

Source:  https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/online-petition-prompts-councilor-to-seek-parking-review-10202834