Banff paid parking trial to end a month early after petition

A paid parking pilot project in Banff will finish early after upset residents started a petition.

The town started charging in Augustfor parking in five surface lots to see if it decreases traffic downtown.

• Banff petition calls for scrapping paid parking plan

The pilot project was to last until the end of October.

But a petition against parking fees in the mountain park town brought the matter Monday to a special council meeting.

Mayor Karen Sorensen said council gave first reading to a motion to rescind the parking trial, which she describes as controversial.

I do think it's important to continue the trial through September because, as I say, the weekends stay very, very busy. So I want to see the data from that time. After that, I personally believe that we'll have the data we need, she said.

Town council will hold another special meeting about paid parking on Sept. 29.

Sorensen says she would support a public vote if council decided to permanently have some paid parking.