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LETTER: Proposed parking fee increases not a solution

From reader Cheryl Dew…
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The City of Nelson plans to increase parking meter rates and fines this year. Parking revenue pays for road and sidewalk construction and maintenance, and construction costs have gone up 42 per cent since the last parking meter rate increase in 2017, the city says. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

A 60 per cent increase in parking metre fees and penalties is unreasonable. It’s a challenge to find a parking spot in the downtown area during all seasons with numerous construction projects, piles of snow, or summer patios and markets taking up limited parking spots.

I’d love to support the wonderful local businesses downtown but driving into town from an outlying area to shop in the city core is a frustrating experience. I often admit defeat in not finding a parking spot and retreat to the mall to shop.

Solution? One idea would be to have a city run, pay parking lot away from the downtown, with an hourly shuttle that runs back and forth during shopping hours. This would attract shoppers who have to drive into town and provide a convenient park and shop experience.

Cheryl Dew

Balfour