Re: “Sidney focused on a viable, livable community,” comment, Jan. 11.
Mayor Steve Price states that his objective is “a viable, livable community” for Sidney, where car use is discouraged. Many of us would support this vision, but sadly the reality of what he is creating is very different.
It is one thing not to be giving land over to parking lots, but he and his council are frequently giving approval to developments requiring variances permitting fewer than one parking space per unit and not making provision for the retail ground-floor traffic that these buildings will attract. This creates stress for residents, workers, visitors, tourists and shoppers, who are already finding it difficult to park.
Furthermore, the developers of these properties approved by the council are contributing only $10,000 in lieu of each parking space that they do not provide. Price estimates the cost to the taxpayers of providing a parking space downtown at between $55,000 and $60,000.
Why has the bylaw regulating the fee not been changed to reflect this reality? Why are the requests of developers being given more consideration than the well-being of Sidney’s citizens?
Maggie Wood
Sidney
