Business owners in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce area are up in arms over the recent installation of parking meters without prior consultation. Ophtalmo Vétérinaire clinic and Döghaus pet supply store are among the establishments affected by the sudden introduction of 250 parking meters along Sherbrooke Street West.
Louise Provost, the chief receptionist at Ophtalmo Vétérinaire, expressed frustration at the lack of communication and consultation from the city regarding the parking meter installation. The swift implementation has taken a toll on businesses, with customers avoiding the area due to parking difficulties.
Evelyn Couture, owner of Döghaus, highlighted the confusion and inconvenience faced by her clients who are now deterred by the need to pay for parking during quick visits. This sentiment was echoed by customer Jojo Zimmerman, who encountered issues with the parking app and questioned the necessity of the meters.
Despite efforts to address concerns, including scaling back the number of parking meters, merchants remain skeptical about the impact on their businesses. Councillor Sonny Moroz emphasized the importance of collaboration but acknowledged the ongoing discontent among some business owners.
The unilateral installation of parking meters has sparked fears among merchants about the future viability of their businesses, with concerns about the financial burden on clients and employees. The community awaits further dialogue and potential solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of the parking meter initiative.
