Managing tourism in Prince Edward County is no small endeavour.
That’s why Prince Edward County is planning ahead with their 2023 tourism management plan.
The plan was presented to council by city staff during their Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday.
While most of the plan was accepted as presented by staff, lively debate was had over parking and enforcement.
The plan calls to maintain fines for parking in the seasonal no parking zones around Sandbanks and North Beach provincial parks at $400, while other seasonal no parking zone penalties are being reduced to $100.
Staff recommended keeping the fines high near the provincial parks because vehicles parked in these areas make it difficult or impossible for emergency vehicles and first responders to reach the provincial parks when needed and the parks have ample other parking available.
Councillors Chris Braney and Brad Nieman opposed maintaining such a high fine in those areas, with Councillor Braney proposing capping the parking fines in all seasonal, no parking zones at $50.
“I would prefer to see a $50 ticket price in zone ‘A’ consistent with zone ‘B’ so that we don’t cause any undue difficulty for families and our residents that are using our assets,” said Councillor Braney.
Councillor Nieman was concerned with students getting hit with disproportionate fines they couldn’t afford.
“Students, employees come in for the summer from the surrounding municipalities that work here for the day and maybe on their way home they want to just stop at the beach to have a quick dip. Cool off, head home, but they’re getting nailed with the $400 fine,” said Councillor Nieman.
Councillor Sam Branderhorst objected to reducing the the fines, claiming such low fines would be ineffective to keep people from just parking there anyway.
“The only thing I have with a problem with Zone ‘A’, specifically Sandbanks, which I deal with, is that that’s the price of a park pass,” said Councillor Branderhorst. “So there’s no need for people to get a ticket, it’s the exact same as paying a park pass so I don’t think it’s going to deter anyone and just add danger concerns.”
After some debate, the amendment was defeated, and the originally planned fines were approved.
While the fines in several no parking zones are being reduced, special parking for PEC Summer Pass holders is being discontinued for the upcoming season, as it was found to be causing confusion over who was allowed to park in certain areas.
Councillors also discussed the entry fees charged at the Wellington Rotary beach, with the $10 entry fee to the beach on weekends and holidays being continued in the upcoming season, though children sixteen years old and younger will not be charged.
The tourism management plan also includes plans to build a pair of EV charging stations, noting that there was a lack of public charging infrastructure in the region, and also limits the times sidewalk patios can be operated to within the hours covered by the noise by-law.
