ST. PAUL – The Town of St. Paul is seeking cooperation from businesses to install handicap parking signage off the ground and at the eye level on parking spots throughout the community.
During the Town of St. Paul council meeting on March 10, CAO Steven Jefferey presented council with a letter from St. Paul Champions for Change, noting concerns from residents about the difficulty seeing handicap parking signs in winter months, when they are painted on the ground.
Handicap parking is identified with blue lines along curbs and parking lots, which is easily seen in summer months, wrote Penny Fox, president of St. Paul Champions for Change, in her letter to council.
But these blue lines are often covered by snow in the winter.
“As a result, people are unknowingly parking in these areas and blocking those spaces from those with mobility challenges [and] making it difficult for them to maneuver their walkers and wheelchairs through the ice and snow,” reads the letter.
Fox thanked businesses and organizations who already have signs that can easily be seen. “This encourages appropriate use of those spaces,” according to Fox.
Fox asked the Town to connect with the business community about the concerns and requests all businesses install handicap parking signage that is visible during winter months.
According to Fox, a big portion of the population in the St. Paul region uses these designated parking stalls. Twenty per cent of the population in the region is over the age of 65, for example, and there are also young people with mobility issues.
Coun. Brad Eamon made a motion to direct administration to engage with businesses on potentially installing signs for handicap parking that is more easily identifiable.
Mayor Maureen Miller said the topic of handicap parking has come to council’s table in the past.
“Going forward, any new development permits actually do require it,” as per the Town’s bylaw, said the mayor, and she acknowledged cooperation from existing businesses would be ideal.
Coun. Gary Ward said communicating the message businesses is important.
“The big thing is it’s just a matter of getting it out there again,” said Ward. “If you don’t talk about it, nothing’s going to get done.”
Following more discussions, the motion made by Eamon was carried.
