Controversial choice will be reviewed in Community Plan

Facing a packed gallery of argumentative business owners, Jasper town council voted 7-1 Tuesday to carve out 100 feet of Patricia Street for a bus loading zone and a handicapped parking space.

The bus zone in the 600 block, in front of the former McDonald’s restaurant, will allow five minute stops for loading and unloading, between 8 am and 7 pm, and be limited to vehicles with seats for more than 11 passengers. 

A handicapped space will be reserved immediately behind from the bus zone on the busy one-way street.

Mayor Richard Ireland said the location of the Patricia Street bus zone will be included in a larger transportation study and could be reviewed again when the community plan goes for public consultation later this year.

The approved location “is workable, but not permanent,” said Ireland. 

“Transportation-based businesses ought not to be on Patricia Street,” Ireland said. “If we were looking for a place for a transportation hub in Jasper, Patricia Street would be the last place. It doesn’t make sense as a transportation hub.’’

Councillor Brenda Zinck, who cast the lone dissenting vote, wanted to limit the term of the bus zone to Oct. 31 and revisit the decision then, but other councilors are tired of talking about the issue, which has consumed hours of study, reports and debate.

“I’m not willing to go through this again,” said Councillor Mike Day.

Councillor Ralph Melnyk agreed: “Let’s do it once. We need to give this one year.” 

“One year is my feeling,” said Councillor Brian Skehill.

“There will always be some businesses that aren’t happy,” observed Councillor Rico Damota, who proposed the motion to place the bus zone in the 600 block.

“It’s a good idea, according to the business people who approached me,” he said.

Merchants on the east side of Patricia will lose business-front parking spaces to the bus zone. Some were not pleased with council’s choice. 

 “No one wants it in front of their business,” Geno Tassoni said when council invited comments from about 20 persons who filled the public gallery.

He was not persuaded by Raiko Dabetic of Raven Tours who said that buses bring “10,000 tourists a season to the street.”

Mike Merilovich pointed out that administrators only sought the views of  the 51 business owners on  Patricia Street on the use of parking spaces “that belong to all the taxpayers of Jasper.”

The chosen site was favored by 17 business owners. The Provincial building frontage, where buses parked last year, got 12 votes and was the next most popular choice.

“That’s not a majority,” said Merilovich.

Councillor Gloria Kongsrud said that point was raised by people who called her on the issue, and that more than one wanted to see Patricia Street limited to pedestrians.

Shelley Koebel, who operates Coin Clean Laundry and Video Stop with her husband Sam in the 600 block, opposed turning Patricia Street into a pedestrian mall.

“Our business would not be sustainable,” she said.