Free parking at Rocky Point Park may one day be a thing of the past.
At Tuesday's meeting, Port Moody council considered a staff report that included four options for implementing pay parking throughout the park, or only in certain lots, to create faster turnover in the parking lots and to generate revenue for park improvements.
The first option would be to have pay parking in all seven parking areas (with boat-launch parking near Pajo's and on Esplanade Street being maintained for their use only).
That plan means there would be no issues of visitors migrating to free parking areas and, by reconfiguring boat launch stalls closest to the pier, create additional parking stalls.
And while it's estimated this plan would generate about $202,000 in annual revenue, staff noted it would create business issues for the Boathouse Restaurant and Old Mill Boathouse Society.
In Option 2, pay parking would be implemented in the lots accessed via Murray Street and beside the Boathouse. It offers visitors some free options but would likely result in parking migration issues, as well as problems for park businesses, and generates an estimated $170,000 in annual revenue.
The third option brings in about $107,000 annually by implementing pay parking in the Murray Street lots.
The lot near the Boathouse restaurant, and beside the Old Mill Boathouse, would be free.
The fourth option suggests pay parking only in the lot near the Boathouse Restaurant, with estimated revenue of $63,000.
Business for the Boathouse and Pajo's could be affected, the report notes, but leaves several areas as free parking for residents and visitors.
Paul Rockwood, general manager of financial services, noted the revenue projections include possible discounts for residents. The report didn't detail what discounts residents would get for parking, but suggested a $30 annual pass could be an option.
Coun. Zoe Royer said she's "leery" of pay parking in the city because it could be a "business killer," while Coun. Rosemary Small said residents should have free parking.
Council agreed to have staff further investigate the parking options and to report back with additional information and plans for public consultation.
