Comment 89923

By seancb (registered) - website | Posted July 04, 2013 at 10:51:15 in reply to Comment 89919

Many homes and many commercial properties in the core have no dedicated parking, and their property values are climbing. In most cities, parking amenities are considered a bonus, not a requirement. People looking to move to dense urban areas are looking for a lifestyle where they don't have to drive everywhere - and many want to ditch their cars entirely. This is the momentum we need to nurture as the end result will be more residents and more customers with no increased parking requirements.

Perhaps the petition could have been worded in SUPPORT of reducing Hunter to one car lane, and maintaining parking as part of the plan. Or in support of some other better alternative. But it's worded negatively, so it is being viewed and spread as anti-bike-lane. (I also think the hyperbolic bit about it being unsafe to walk in that area at night is unnecessary).

This city is already slow to make the changes necessary for its survival; I find it disheartening to see residents and business owners fighting the small progressive steps the city takes. This tact makes the city even more timid, and further slows down the progress we so desperately need. The negative slant of petitions like this one are detrimental to our progress and the overall good that complete streets and intensification will bring to these businesses (and residents' property values).

When you say "at this time", it makes me wonder: WHEN is the time? When will we embrace the concept of density - the only viable answer to the financial and social problems facing Hamilton? When will we stop bowing to the deity of high speeds and ample parking? That god has not served us very well over the last 60 years. Will we wait til next year? The year after? Or will it be another 60 years of this mentality, and the next generation fighting the same battles?

I live just down the street from Strut and I understand parking frustrations. My store is located on an urban block where 4 parking spaces serve 8-10 businesses. I do get questions sometimes about where my customers should park, and I have to explain to them that they may need to walk a block or two. But I understand that the future of Hamilton lies in looking past the short term pain of parking a block away from your destination, towards a vision where there are so many people who LIVE within walking distance that parking doesn't matter.

Comment edited by seancb on 2013-07-04 10:52:19

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