Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
November 2021
Infinity Development Group is proposing to build a condo tower on Waterdown Road in the Aldershot community of Burlington, Ontario, that will have limited parking for residents.
Brandon Bradt, a consulting engineer on the project, addressed this issue by stating, “By reducing parking, you directly influence less vehicle ownership and promote the use of transit itself. So, it’s a positive feedback loop, if you will, and they support each other. So, we wouldn’t want to oversupply parking here and then take away from the opportunity for residents to be able to use transit.”
While this idea may sound good in theory, is it something that is realistic?
I know of people who don’t own a car, or even have a driver’s licence, but those people usually live in major metropolitan cities, like Toronto, that have transit that is more extensive than what is offered in Burlington. Sorry Burlington Transit, but as good as you are, you’re not the TTC.
While other people may not own a car, they do maintain a driver’s licence, and rent a car when needed, like for a vacation or trip to a family/friend’s cottage.
Some questions that I would want answered:
Would the available parking spots be reserved for a specific unit, or would it be first-come, first-serve?
Would you have to move if you later decided that you later wanted to buy a car, or you need a second parking spot?
Will there be any guest parking for visitors?
How might this limitation affect re-sale/rental opportunities? Would you be limited to selling/renting to those who also don’t own a car, if your unit didn’t come with a reserved parking spot?
I’m not saying this concept won’t work, and Infinity Development Group may indeed be ahead of the curve. Such condo developments may prove to be quite successful in Burlington, but as it stands now, the Latin phrase of “caveat emptor” (let the buyer beware), would certainly apply.
