The Town of Goderich is now looking at implementing parking limits downtown after numerous businesses requested the measure.
In June, the Downtown Goderich BIA wrote to the Town asking for a three-hour parking limit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., because many spaces in front of businesses were being used by nearby employees or services rather than visitors.
A study conducted by BM Ross last year found that two-thirds of all vehicles parked downtown were there for an hour or less, while just 5.9 per cent were there for six hours or longer. The consultants ultimately determined a parking time limit wouldn't be necessary.
However, some businesses along side streets of the Courthouse Square say their storefront parking is often taken up by other nearby employees for the entire day.
Deputy Mayor Leah Noel told council that the while the study may not have recommended action, this was something they needed to assess.
"While it sounds low, we know that we do have some 'frequent fliers' who despite repeated requests, have no intention of parking in our municipal lots, because they don't have to," she said. "If those vehicles are parking in the same spots, then those adjacent store owners are dealing with the problem 100 per cent of the time, not six per cent of the time."
A report to council from staff suggested that implementing timed parking could be a disproportionate response to the issue, particularly because enforcement would require more investment.
Dave Duncan, Municipal Law Enforcement Manager, told council that By-law didn't have the resources to enforce such a measure.
"Where our complaints are coming in, they aren't coming from the Square, they're coming from the side streets," he said. "We're looking at 600 parking spots. There are currently two of us. If we aren't enforcing a by-law, that by-law is useless... if we are not enforcing it, they will know we are not enforcing it."
Noel said she appreciated the opinion of by-law and the work that staff had put into the report, but that they needed to continue exploring options to help downtown businesses with the major reconstruction project underway.
"I recognize that what I'm asking today is going to take additional time and effort, but I believe it's worthwhile today to proceed with the initiative, because we're currently in an environment where our downtown parking is at a premium while construction is underway and construction is going to continue for another two years," she said. "We need to take action to support our businesses to the best of our ability during that time."
Council agreed in a six-to-one vote and directed staff to begin the work required to implement timed parking on the square.