How to create more parking downtown?

The want for new businesses in Bonnyville has pushed Town Council to address a very serious dilemma, there is not enough downtown parking for businesses. The issue arose when a potential new laser tag establishment applied for a development permit for the old Big George building on 51st avenue. It was discovered that there would not be enough parking, as per the Town’s bylaw, for the Planning & Development department of the Town to recommend approval of the business.

Mayor for the Town of Bonnyville, Gene Sobolewski, expressed that he does not want to see potential investors discouraged from opening shop in Bonnyville, based on lack of parking. Further he suggested that the downtown parking issue be brought to the newly formed Downtown Revitalization Committee as one of the first issues they tackle.

“Maybe it’s high time that we energize the Downtown Revitalization Committee that one of the issues that we get going on right away, is to re-examine the parking issue. If we allow parking as the main stumbling block to not allow development we’re going to loose the downtown to other venues where there’s abundant parking areas,” Mayor Sobolewski stated he does not want to see that happen to the community.

The Town’s bylaws specify that a certain amount of parking is needed per occupancy, based on square footage. This measurements are standard for any business, not just the downtown ones. The Planning & Development department also did their research and presented Council with bylaws that municipalities of similar size use. The research showed that Bonnyville was on line with what was done in other towns.

At the same time, Council appeared to be sympathetic to the potential owners. According to the bylaw for each deficit stall a business is required to pay $2,041.21. The laser tag establishment would be deficit 34 stalls according to the Town’s bylaws; essentially adding $69,401.14 fine should they will to open.

Town Council however, has the authority to make a decision based on the extenuating circumstances of each situation. Thus, the Town made a decision that consideration that the business will operate mainly after typical business hours, opening at 4:00 pm and open on weekends; as well as accounting for the fact that the business will cater to the tween and teen crowd (more likely to carpool or be dropped off by parents).

The Town voted to approve the business with the option for the business to either pay for six deficit stalls, at a cost of $2,041.21 each and/or explore options to rent stalls from neighbouring businesses – or a combination of both. The business will have to display to the Town that they have either secured the stalls through a rental agreement or pay the sum of the stalls, $12,247.26.