Parking tickets will continue to be issued for those motorists parking along a stretch of County Rd. 7 near the Lake-on-The-Mountain resort.

The issue of the County’s new parking bylaw and enforcement of the County’s Tourism Management Plan has lead to outcry from business owners as well as locals and visitors that have been shocked to find a heft parking ticket on their windshield.

On Tuesday, attempts to resurrect the matter for further discussion at Shire Hall was made. One of the more contentious issues when it comes to parking in Prince Edward County are the sections of County Rd. 7 near the LOTM Provincial Park and County of Prince Edward Mayor believed more discussion was warranted.

Mayor of Prince Edward County Steve Ferguson. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

“Over this term of council, we have seen examples of decisions on issues that have elicited considerable public responses leading to further discussion around the horseshoe. The issue of parking on County Road 7, I feel, falls in that category,” Mayor Steve Ferguson explained. “This matter has been and remains a highly contentious issue involving opposing viewpoints that have been expressed in many ways, and I don’t need to elaborate on that.”

During the meeting, Mayor Ferguson moved to waive the procedural bylaw to discuss clauses 7 and 8 on the agenda item, which would allow discussion on County Road 7 suggestions.

“I believe we owe it to all parties involved – businesses, staff, members of council – to at least have another look at this matter,” he said.

Ryan Kreutzwiser, the second-generation owner of Lake on the Mountain resort, addressed council at Tuesday’s regular meeting to reiterate how the no-parking restrictions on County Road 7 would cripple the family-run business.

He voiced concerns on the municipality’s decision in May, when it was moved to eliminate 40 roadside parking spaces in light of safety concerns. 

Kreutzwiser said he and his family read the staff recommendations, which calls to add 10 or 11 spaces on the south side of the road, and felt they do not go far enough.

“As a council, you are on the cusp of not only closing two restaurant businesses, eliminating the 40 jobs that those restaurants support, but you are going to destroy a unique County destination,” he said. “To be frank, this is because of a few complaining neighbours – one of which is a councillor at your table – and a small handful of residents who are inconvenienced by having to slow down to an appropriate speed, travelling through the 400 metres that is Lake on the Mountain.”

In order to waive the bylaw and revisit the matter, there would need to be two-thirds support from council, which failed in a recorded vote. 

Councillors Mike Harper, John Hirsch, Kate MacNaughton, Bill McMahon, Brad Nieman, Bill Prinzen, Bill Roberts and Mayor Steve Ferguson were in favour, while councillors Jamie Forrester, Ernie Margetson, Janice Maynard, Phil St. Jean, Stewart Bailey and Andreas Bolik opposed, leaving the bylaw in place.