City staff studying impact of off-street parking on commercial areas

Forty-three buildings in Windsor have been demolished to make way for parking since 1986, a trendcity planners expect will continue in the future.

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A history detailing the dozens of demolitions was included in a parking report the Planning, Heritage and Economic Development Committee considered Monday night.

"We're used to the landscape now, but when you look at the pictures you say 'I don't remember that building,' and now it's parking," said Greg Atkinson, a senior planner for the city. "Then you get a sense of how the cumulative effect impacts the areas we shop in or go to work in everyday."

Concerns about commercial buildings being knocked down to make room for parking were behind council's request for city staff to examine the issue of off-street parking in business improvement and commercial areas.

But Atkinson said he doesn't see the demolitions stopping any time soon.

"I expect that the trend will continue," he said. "We're looking at how we can tweak the policy to stop those buildings from being demolished."

Open house will take place May 24

Planners have been studying parking solutions in different cities for the past year and are preparing to meet with the public to hear their concerns and suggestions for saving Windsor's main streets.

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"We're looking for input from business owners, residents and any members of the public who visit our BIAs," he said. "We're looking for good examples and bad examples ... so when we do the recommendations we can put forward the smartest solutions."

A public parking open house is scheduled to take placeonMay 24from 4 to 7p.m. at 400 City Hall Square.