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Smiths Falls council is poised to end parking enforcement on private lots, while increasing fines for infractions elsewhere.
The town currently boasts the lowest parking fines in neighbouring communities, but will see penalties double in some instances, while others will be removed.
The proposed changes were supported at the recent committee of the whole meeting, but must be passed during a council meeting before they come into effect.
Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough said it’s simply a money game when it comes to ending private lot enforcement.
Chesebrough notes there was little appetite to continue the practice, and enforcement coverage will be significantly better with a dedicated new hire.
The current fee for parking in a prohibited area is $20 but is proposed to jump to $40.
There’s also key fine removals that are being proposed such as parking at an expire meter, or parking in a space designated for motorcycle use.
The proposal also slashes penalties for parking in an unauthorized use of accessible permit from $300 to $35, and outright removing the $300 ticket for parking in a designated parking space without an accessble permit.
The changes are pending final council approval, after receiving verbal support at the committee of the whole.
Story by Grant Deme