The Town of Saugeen Shores continues to work on its parking study.
An online public engagement session is set to be held Wednesday, January 31st at 6 p.m.
The Town’s 2020 transportation master plan recommended a parking study to look at whether or not the parking supply should be expanded, how parking demand should be managed, and to consider innovative ways to improve parking for visitors, customers and employees.
The Town offers free, year round parking at lots located at the Port Elgin Beach, the corner of Gustavus Street and Bricker streets, the corner of Green and Bricker streets, the lane running south of Green Street and behind the Port Elgin Library as well as at the Southampton Coliseum.
A 2023 two-day survey on August 26th and 30th collected observational data about parking in Southampton and Port Elgin. It found, in Port Elgin, the current Town supply totals 441 on-street spaces and 176 spaces in lots. The survey found less than half of the available supply was occupied and maximum demand was at midday (either noon or 1 p.m.) They say 81 per cent of spaces were occupied for less than two hours.
In Southampton, there are 505 on-street spaces and 92 spaces in lots. The survey showed parking lots reached a maximum demand of 73 per cent of the available supply and less than half of the available supply occupied for on-street spaces. The highest demand was midday and 85 per cent of spaces were occupied for less than two hours.
A few in-person public information meetings have already been held in Port Elgin and Southampton and a draft report on possible parking plans can be found online.
Some ideas shared include keeping free parking, changing to paid parking, having parking passes or timed parking, more bicycle parking, staff parking areas, relocating delivery vehicle loading areas, electric vehicle parking, accessible parking and parking for the elderly.
To request an invite to the virtual parking study public information centre on Wednesday the 31st, or to ask questions, you can email project staff at parkingstudy@saugeenshores.ca