The Town of Newmarket wants your help to figure out how to address residential parking in the community.
The municipality has initiated a residential parking study to strategize on how to meet parking demands. The study will explore parking standards for low and medium-density dwelling types, accommodating bike lanes and on-street parking, and standards for condominium roads.
The study is ongoing over the next year with public engagement to come. The town has hired WSP Canada to run the study.
“The town and the consultant team will engage in conversations with residents and interested parties to explore the value of residential parking and the trade-offs that may be necessary when considering how to plan for future parking needs,” the municipality said on its website.
Parking has been a hot topic in Newmarket in recent years. Besides the demand for parking in the downtown core, the town has also grappled with many requests for changes to on-street parking restrictions. The town also faced debate over bike lanes versus on-street parking on Clearmeadow Boulevard, leading the municipality to halt bike lane expansion plans there.
The study will explore the impacts of hybrid working, investigate current parking conditions in residential communities and provide directions on how to put study findings into place.
"The goal is to create a more efficient parking system that meets the evolving needs within the town’s residential areas," the municipality said.
It will begin with background research, public engagement and targeted outreach before a draft report comes to council later this year. Public engagement is expected to include online, public meetings and community pop-ups. A draft study report is expected to come before town council later this year, with a final report in late 2025.
“We value your input in exploring recommendations that support the efficient use of parking spaces in Newmarket’s residential areas,” the town said.
You can find more information at heynewmarket.ca/residentialparkingstudy.
