MINUTES — PUBLIC – COMMISSION ON TRANSPORT, SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AND SAFETY (CTDDS)

Parking for Persons with Disabilities — Analysis and Reflection

A presentation was made by Chantal Lanoix, Head of Division — Regulatory Analysis and Drafting at the Service de l’urbanisme et du développement durable (Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Department), regarding parking for persons with disabilities. The presentation document is available on the Ville de Gatineau website. The subject was previously presented to the CTDDS. It returns this time for analysis and reflection to understand needs with the goal of formulating relevant proposals. The presentation addressed two themes: the City's fields of intervention and zoning possibilities and proposals.

Following a contextualization, issues and preliminary proposals were presented. At the end of the presentation, members were invited to comment on the issues presented. Members highlighted that some parking lots that do not meet standards are problematic. Given that there is no planned renovation project, there is no obligation to comply with current regulations. They thus remain deficient despite their non-compliance. It was indicated that the application of the bylaw cannot be retroactive. The analysis of any situation reported to the Service de l’urbanisme must be done according to the rules existing at the time the permit was issued. Follow-ups will be conducted with the Service des affaires juridiques (Legal Affairs Department). It was also mentioned that it is possible to conduct proactive communications or inspections independent of complaints. A follow-up could be done to this effect. The City can be a driver of initiatives.

It was also highlighted that there should be checks on on-street parking, thus going beyond off-street parking. This option must be analyzed and optimized. The concepts of on-street and off-street parking were discussed during past meetings of the Comité consultatif d’urbanisme (CCU). Although on-street parking is possible in Gatineau, off-street arrangements are preferable for universal accessibility and access ramps.

Members wish to obtain comparisons regarding the number of tickets issued annually, with the goal of better identifying potential solutions. Checks will be made with the Service de police (Police Service) to this effect. Some members mentioned a gap between the requirements of the Code de construction (Building Code) and the number of permit users, causing overuse of reserved spaces. It was mentioned that permits should be systematically verified to avoid duplication. Alignment should also follow with the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) upon the death of users to ensure that permits cannot be used by other people. The permit system in other jurisdictions was also discussed. It might be desirable to make representations at the provincial level regarding permits.

The narrowness of parking spaces causes problems for persons with disabilities. Snow removal also constitutes an obstacle. Comments were made regarding the support offered by the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG). Wait times can be very long during calls made by persons with disabilities. It would be necessary to analyze the possibilities of conducting awareness campaigns and reporting abusive situations. Given that only a police service can verify the validity of a permit, it is desired that reflection be considered regarding the enhancement of the responsibilities of parking attendants. However, the SPVG specifies that an investigation is necessary in cases of fraud or counterfeit permits. This investigative power cannot be delegated to persons other than peace officers. Reporting to 311 is possible and encouraged. In addition, parking attendants can intervene in private parking lots if they are open to public traffic. A request was made for a correlation between the supply of adapted public transit and the aging of the population.

This exchange period was followed by a presentation of proposals for amendments to the bylaw. A majority of members expressed support for the proposal to increase the number of parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. For some members, the number remains insufficient. On-street parking for persons with disabilities must be included in the bylaw. Emphasis must be placed on this possibility instead of systematically including them on mineralized private land. A concern was raised regarding the barrier-free path presented. This could be a hindrance to the development of parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. Priority reflection must be given to certain services (medical) and local businesses. Parking lots for seniors' housing buildings should also take their clientele into account in the number of spaces offered. The concept of a safe path raises questions; the interaction between cars and users remains an issue. The proposed layouts are not optimal; the installation of bollards should be advocated. Access at the front of businesses is problematic for users, whoever they may be. They are, however, necessary in case of fire. Travel by public transit and on sidewalks must also be considered in the reflection on the safe path. A link was shared regarding Piétons Québec and teams are invited to obtain additional information. (https://www.pietons.quebec/outils/2024/amenager-un-stationnement-qui-marche)

The reduction of "actually developed" parking spaces desired by the Ville de Gatineau could cause a decrease in the number of parking spaces intended for persons with disabilities. We must be consistent with all elements desired in terms of development. Clarifications were requested regarding the impact of accessibility costs for equipped charging stations, which could be a prohibitive factor. It would be necessary to consider compromise solutions. The priority is to provide access, safely, and to facilitate and guarantee access to necessary and essential services for persons with disabilities. A return to the Commission will be made when the drafting of the bylaw has been completed.

Policy for the Improvement of Sidewalks and Pedestrian Crossings in Built-up Areas — Recommendation

This is a final return to the CTDDS for this file, which will then be presented to the municipal council. Luc St-Arnaud, Head of Division at the Service de la planification des actifs et des investissements (Asset Planning and Investment Service), made the presentation regarding the Politique de bonification des trottoirs et passages piétonniers en milieu bâti (PO-054). This presentation was made for recommendation purposes. Several of the presentations made during previous meetings can be consulted in the CTDDS section of the City's website, or the committee of the whole. The links will be shared with the members.

An exchange period followed the presentation. It was highlighted that this policy is part of several measures (such as the Politique de rues conviviales; traffic calming measures; the Plan directeur du réseau cyclable; etc.) that allow for moving towards better connectivity by offering safe and comfortable paths. The widths of sidewalks in old neighborhoods, which are narrow, are not targeted by this policy. They are nevertheless included in the renovation inventories which aim to repair them, but also to make them safe. During reconstruction, new layouts are proposed. The Policy, for its part, aims to correct places where infrastructure is non-existent. It therefore targets sectors where sidewalks are absent, and a prioritization can be established. It does not concern deficient layouts and infrastructure. The new sidewalks will meet accessibility criteria. For some sectors with school corridors, it is possible to make changes to parking and the regulations in force to improve the safety of the sections. Citizens can contact 311 for all identified issues and moderation measures. A follow-up is requested to obtain information regarding the criteria for snow removal on pedestrian crossings. A sense of unease was expressed because the written Policy was not presented to the members before the recommendation. It would have been desirable to read it before recommending it or not. The members are in favor of the recommendation.

CTDDS-2025-01

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety recommends the adoption, by the municipal council, of the Politique sur la bonification des trottoirs et passages piétonniers en milieu bâti (PO-054).

It is proposed by Alexandre Wolford Supported by Laura Darche Adopted