To the Mayor and Council of the Township of Esquimalt:

The Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) has begun implementation, and has caused a wide range of problems, not limited to: increased congestion on roadways, difficulty with vehicle maneuvers on roadways, increased vehicle accidents, damage to infrastructure and vehicles, and a loss of street parking. The municipality has long suffered from a lack of public parking, even prior to the ATNP implementation. There is a shared concern for the recent and future reduction and loss of street parking among Esquimalt residents, businesses, employees, customers, and visitors. Specifically, any reduction of public street parking in commercial areas has the potential to negatively impact the prosperity of Esquimalt.

Not only does a reduction in availability of street parking affect residents who require it, but it will also significantly affect the business community. Reduced street parking will cause a reduction or loss of accessibility to local businesses which will be a hindrance to business retention, business growth, and attracting new businesses. Additionally, any reduction of street parking will be a deterrent for customers who travel within Esquimalt, or who drive into Esquimalt to access local businesses. This will lead to a less prosperous Esquimalt and the business community will retract.

Regarding the ATNP, we, the petitioners, are requesting: 1) a discontinuation of all current activity related to installation of protected bike lanes, 2) avoid roadway changes that will reduce free public parking in all zones, 3) maintain all current free commercial parking zones, 4) seek ways to increase public parking in all zones, and 5) redirection of bicycle traffic to low-volume adjacent roadways for shared road-use.