Cobourg simplifies parking

By Cecilia Nasmith

Parking in Cobourg will be simpler and cheaper, following passage of a lengthy motion at council amending its parking bylaw.

A number of changes are to be made, including three hours of free parking year-round wherever paid parking is required in the downtown. Beyond that, the rate is $2.50 an hour.

Waterfront parking rates will also be free for the first three hours during the low season. During the high season, rates remain $5 per hour and $40 a day.

A Cobourg Resident Parking Pass is being created in place of waterfront-only passes at $10 a month, to include waterfront and downtown areas year-round. And thanks to an amendment by Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, a new category has been created for residents of Northumberland County, available for $20 a month.

Special Downtown Business Improvement Area parking passes are now available for DBIA employees year-round at $20 per month, good in downtown municipal lots.

A Marina Seasonal Slip Parking Pass is for those parked within the Marina Lot, to be sold as part of the Seasonal Marina Slip at a cost of $35 a month between May and October.

The Cobourg Resident Accessible Permit Parking Pass will allow those with registered accessible parking permits to park in accessible spots free for as long as they are registered with the town.

Mayor Lucas Cleveland spoke to the inspiration for the changes, saying that for as long as he's been in Cobourg, he had heard comparisons between Cobourg and Port Hope in terms of parking – and how much cheaper and simpler it is to park in Port Hope.

“Cheaper rates, better access – at the end of the day, we are neighbouring communities. And that means we need to ensure we are creating equal opportunity for our businesses and our residents.”

Municipal Clerk Brent Larmer noted that Port Hope is looking at bringing more regulations in, limiting on-street parking and looking at special winter rules. And for the first time, Brighton is engaging public input on the possibility of requiring paid parking in its downtown.

Beatty spoke on behalf of the DBIA in praising those changes.

“They felt heard to see a lot of their concerns addressed,” she reported.