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Downtown's free parking plan yet to be discussed by council by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, May 1, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Detailed information about possible parking relief for the Oakville business districts -- as Mayor Rob Burton has recently been discussing -- will have to wait for another day. During Monday's council meeting, Burton called on Town staff to report on special measures for Oakville's `Historic Business Areas'. That report, which will come before council "as soon as possible," is expected to feature updated recommendations for assistance measures for the BIAs for the short term (2014-15), medium term (2016-17) and long term (2018-19 and beyond). Burton said measures, possibly including a free parking program, for the 2014-15 period would focus on the recovery and strengthening of the business districts following the long and difficult winter. Report expected May 26 This piece of the study is expected to be presented to council on May 26. Plans for the 2016-17 period would seek to mitigate damage done to business during the reconstruction of downtown portions of Lakeshore Road. This would be followed by a revitalization plan intended to rejuvenate and market the downtown Oakville historic business district. "People need certainty, they need confidence and I think it is our job as council to try and lay things out in a way that makes it as easy as possible for them to have that confidence and certainty," said Burton. Possible summer trial period Ward 4 Town and Regional Councillor Allan Elgar called for staff to examine the possibility of holding a trial period during the summer where the middle lane of Lakeshore Road in the downtown area is removed, temporary curbs are put in place, and businesses are permitting to make use of the sidewalks. "I think that could really add to a huge boost in business for the downtown," he said. "We were in Halifax a few years ago and they were getting the plywood out on the streets and it worked very well." Burton said staff had the option of considering business use of the sidewalks. In the end, Burton's request for a report was approved unanimously. The Downtown Oakville BIA is advertising extended storefront parking coming soon as well as the usual allday parking in most lots and free parking on Sundays and after 6 p.m. | Oakville Beaver file photo Expert service always comes standard. State Farm prides itself on unmatched customer service, decades of experience and one of the world's largest claims teams. And that's just the basic package. Get to a better State®. Get State Farm. CONTACT A STATE FARM AGENT TODAY. ® Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Darryl Demille CFP 905-842-1020 www.darryldemille.ca Andrew J Heideman 905-829-0018 www.andrewheideman.ca Angelo Gualtieri 905-257-7773 www.angelogualtieri.com Bartucci Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Deborah Bartucci 905-337-3276 www.autoinsuranceoakville.ca Stephen Ostapchuk 905-238-5643 www.stephenostapchuk.ca Stacey Sutherland 905-339-3276 www.insuranceinoakville.com It's in your hands. Tim Hortons would like to thank you for putting litter where it belongs. Together we can all do our part to keep our community clean. To find out what we're doing for the environment, visit timhortons.com Grant Leslie 905-469-4499 www.grantleslie.ca Michelle Cooper Ins and Fin Sv Michelle Cooper CFP 905-826-4900 www.michellecooper.ca Daniel Durst 905-847-1898 www.danieldurst.com statefarm.ca © Tim Hortons, 2013 ® 1401019CN State Farm, Canadian Head Office, Aurora, Ontario