Title
DEPUTATION BY ROBB MEIER REGARDING MOTION 15-G-152, DUNLOP STREET CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT (TORONTO STREET TO MULCASTER STREET) MUNICIPAL CLASS EA PHASES 1 & 2 (WARD 2).
Mr. Robb Meier, provided a deputation in opposition to motion 15-G-152 concerning the Dunlop Street Corridor Improvement (Toronto Street to Mulcaster Street) Municipal Class EA Phases 1 & 2 (Ward 2). Mr. Meier commented on the importance associated with making over a community's main street and the need to focus on the future. He provided details on the following areas of concern:
· The inclusion of on-street parking in all reviewed/suggested alternatives;
· The current surplus of parking spaces in the downtown area; and
· The overestimation by retailers on the percentage of customers arriving in vehicles to those who arrived by walking, cycling or public transit;
Mr. Meier commented that an alternative without on-street parking along Dunlop Street would provide a complete street environment, protected bike boulevard, expanded sidewalks, permanent patios and improved accessibility. He indicated that 46% of the respondences to the survey preferred a more drastic change to the streetscape along Dunlop Street. Mr. Meier noted that research has found that customers arriving by foot and bicycle visit the most often and spend the most money per month than those arriving by car.
In closing, Mr. Meir requested that City Council send the matter back to staff for an alternative design to the Dunlop Street corridor that does not include on-street parking.