Patios, parking to co-exist in Unionville for summer

Outdoor boulevard patios and parking will co-exist on Main Street Unionville this summer. However, about half of the existing 25 street parking spaces could be axed and merchants who want patios will be required to enter into an encroachment agreement with the town. The interim compromise, OKd by Markham council, doesnt sit well with the local councillor and some merchants on the street who say they want to see parking stay and boulevard patios gone. You cant suck and blow at the same time, Councillor Don Hamilton said at Tuesday nights council meeting. If something is dangerous, then they are all dangerous. Mr. Hamiltons comment was directed to Sharon Taylor Wood, owner of What Girls Want. Ms Taylor Wood said she was asked by about 40 merchants on the street to urge that town council not remove parking and ban boulevard patios. They are unsafe, she said of patios. Asked if she thought parking on the street is also unsafe, Ms Taylor Wood said there have been no complaints about car doors hitting pedestrians or accidents on the street. We want the street the way it is, she said. Paul Vasilovsky of The Unionville Arms expressed similar concerns to the towns general committee Monday. Removal of parking on the west side of the street will only congest the east side further, he said. Id rather see handicapped parking than patios, Mr. Vasilovsky said. However, town staff saidthere have been six reported accidents on Main Street Unionville in the last three years. About 6,000 vehicles use the main stretch of the street every day, said Paul Ingham, Markhams director of operation. Mr. Ingham said with the sidewalk measuring about one metre wide, car doors often open into pedestrians and cars are parked right up to flower barrels on the street, making it difficult for staff to maintain the flowers. Not only that, but cars parked on the boulevard can restrict sight lines for drivers turning onto the street. The compromise will improve sightlines by eliminating some parking spaces at driveway access points along the west side of the street, between Carlton Road and Station Lane. Mr. Hamilton said if the town was to remove some parking, extra spaces should be provided on the east side, behind shops or on town-owned land in close proximity to Main Street. If you can do that over the summer, youll be the biggest hero Unionville Main Street has ever had.

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Patios, parking to co-exist in Unionville for summer