London city council put the brakes on a plan that would have required everyone with a residential parking permit to pay an annual fee.
Earlier this year, residents of Trowbridge Avenue were told to pay $60 a year if they want to park in front of their homes. At the same time, neighbours near Kings College received the same parking permits for free.
City council settled the issue Tuesday night.
A recommendation by mayor Joe Fontana would have evened the playing field by charging both neighbourhoods for their passes, but councillors balked at that idea.
They said in the case of Trowbridge Avenue, the city approved construction of a medical centre without considering the impact its paid parking lot would have on neighbouring streets.
“It was caused by the development which council approved, so we are kind of guilty if they can't park on their own street,” says Ward 11 councillor Denise Brown. “They pay a lot of taxes every year, so they should be entitled to at least one parking pass free of charge.”
Around the university, parking problems are also not the fault of homeowners. So in the end, council voted to retain free parking permits around the college and a public meeting will be held so Trowbridge residents can express their desire for free passes.
