Extension Approved of Dedicated Mohawk College Parking Enforcement

Parking pressures have long affected residential streets around Mohawk College, with visitors and students utilizing on-street parking rather than pay for parking at the college. Today’s planning committee motion will bring continued relief and enforcement to area residents.

Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,

For more details, please continue reading below…

Parking pressures have long affected residential streets around Mohawk College, with visitors and students utilizing on-street parking rather than pay for parking at the college. Today’s planning committee motion will bring continued relief and enforcement to area residents.

As one of Hamilton’s leading institutions, Mohawk College offers opportunities for students to excel in various fields.

However, Mohawk College’s growth has brought additional challenges for area residents, something we’re hearing about and a matter that we take seriously.

For context, at any given time in the city there are anywhere from five to six Parking Control Officers (PCO) proactively patrolling streets and responding to complaints regarding parking enforcement. There is one officer dedicated to the west mountain, including the area immediately surrounding Mohawk College.

 

On May 23,2018, Council passed a Motion “that staff look at the feasibility of a dedicated PCO in the Mohawk College Precinct”.

Soon after, staff submitted Recommendation Report outlining the feasibility of a pilot program. They indicated that a dedicated PCO in the Mohawk College area could provide a heightened level of enforcement.

At the Council meeting of September 26, 2018,a one-year pilot program was approved using one temporary Parking Enforcement Officer for the Mohawk College Precinct which started in January of 2019.

So far, staff have seen positive results from the pilot project, with a reduction in community complaints and additional issuance of parking fines above historical area averages for the area. Fine revenues have offset the cost of the temporary PEO and staff have seen an increase of 1,600 parking fines issued in the Mohawk College area with a value of approximately $37,000.

The February 18 staff report, moved by Councillor Danko and approved unanimously by the Planning Committee, will see the pilot project extended for another year. The councillor also highlighted the need for improved transit and cycling infrastructure to reduce the flow of vehicles in the area:

Additional notes:

Parking enforcement demand across the entire City of Hamilton is experiencing rapid growth, with the total number of complaints increasing annually. In 2019, City-wide requests for enforcement rose 14% over the previous year.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our office here.

 

Councillor John-Paul Danko