Councillor parks motion to explore paid parking on street near Ottawa Hospital

The days of free parking on a busy street near the Ottawa Hospital General Campus may be coming to an end.

A motion to examine parking regulation on a busy street near the Ottawa Hospital General Campus is being put in park, as debate rages at Ottawa City Hall and on the streets about whether parking should be free on the residential street.

A motion for next week's transportation committee meeting from Coun. Catherine Kitts, on behalf of Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr, called on staff to look at implementing paid parking on Lynda Lane, off of Smyth Road.  

However, Carr and transportation committee chair Tim Tierney told CTV News Ottawa Thursday afternoon the motion will be withdrawn, and staff will look at possible changes to the seasonal signage and parking spots on Lynda Lane for next winter.

The road across the street from the General Campus is a popular spot for patients and visitors seven days a week. On 470 metres between Smyth Road and Billings Avenue, on-street parking is permitted on Lynda Lane.

Signs posted on Lynda Lane show motorists can park for free for a maximum of two hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Between Dec. 1 and March 31, a no-stopping rule is in effect on a section of Lynda Lane for winter weather options.

"I receive a lot of emails, a lot of phone calls from people who have received tickets on Lynda Lane," Carr told CTV News Ottawa on Wednesday.

Carr says complaints increase in December.