Editor:
The Cowrie Street debacle appears to be continuing in Sechelt council.
First it was a one-way street proposal, which hurts businesses because return access is too difficult. Also backing up into a one-lane street impedes and congests traffic.
Now the latest idea floated is a pedestrian mall (Coast Reporter, May 24). That means even less parking and creating a hangout mecca for street people. Closing Granville Street in Vancouver to traffic is what killed it and it has never recovered.
And a shuttle bus, which was also suggested: costly and surely not necessary for the few blocks of businesses here.
Giving parking tickets for more than two hours will discourage business, especially if one wants to do lunch and shopping, not to mention the resentment it will cause.
In 40 years I have never had a problem parking within one to two blocks of any business in Sechelt. It's common knowledge that fundamentally, supply and demand with competitive pricing is what determines the sustainability of a business.
Leave it to the free market, council. Also, perhaps consult with all stakeholders involved next time before charging full speed ahead.
Andrea Smith, Halfmoon Bay
