Parking Study for 23 Helmcken Rd - Eagle Creek Shopping Centre Phase 1
A study by Boulevard Transportation assessing shared versus reserved parking demand for the Eagle Creek development.
Omicron 240 – 645 Tyee Rd Victoria BC V9A 6X5
May 27 2015 File no. 1392
Attn: Peter Laughlin
RE: PARKING STUDY FOR 23 HELMCKEN RD EAGLE CREEK SHOPPING CENTRE PHASE 1
The Eagle Creek Shopping Centre (Phase 1) development has a covenant in-place to ensure commercial parking spaces are unreserved (i.e. all commercial parking is shared). The following assessment has been prepared to review reserved parking at comparison sites and consider whether reserved parking is appropriate for Eagle Creek.
SHARED VS. RESERVED
Shared parking refers to a scenario where parking spaces are available to all vehicles, where reserved parking is allocated to a specific individual’s vehicle or user group. Shared parking is generally the preferred parking management approach as it allows parking demand to be met with fewer parking spaces and was recommended in 2013 Parking Study¹ to ensure on-site parking was used effectively.
EXPECTED PARKING DEMAND
The 2013 Study calculated expected commercial parking demand as follows:
- 571 vehicles (if shared) or 636 vehicles (if unshared) based on Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Parking Generation handbook; and
- 531 vehicles based on observations of seven representative commercial sites² (with no consideration for level of sharing).
Although our 2013 study uses the ITE handbook rates to assess parking demand, it is believed that the observed average parking demand rates (factored for peak December) are considered the more accurate representation of expected parking demand. The proposed parking supply is approximately 643 commercial spaces³, which exceeds expected parking demand by approximately 112 spaces (18%) using the average observed commercial parking demand rate. Peak parking demand (factored for peak December) would be 652 vehicles if demand were consistent with the observed sites with the highest measured parking demand rate (Broadmead, Saanich Centre).
COMPARISON SITES
Average parking supply rate is approximately one parking space per 23m² among comparison sites. See Table 1. Uptown represents the most recently developed site and has the lowest supply rate.
Review of comparison sites also suggests that all but one site has a portion of parking reserved for a specific user group (typically staff or customers), as is being considered at Eagle Creek. Average proportion of total site parking as reserved parking is 8.6% among comparison sites.
TABLE 1. RESERVED PARKING SUPPLY RATES AT COMPARISON COMMERCIAL SITES
| Site⁴ | Total Parking Supply | Supply Rate | Reserved Parking Supply | Proportion of All Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admirals Walk | 359 | 1 per 31.3m² | 23 | 6.4% |
| Broadmead Village | 770 | 1 per 18.2 m² | 59 | 7.7% |
| Gorge Shopping Centre | 188 | 1 per 25.6m² | - | 0% |
| Hatley Park Plaza (Kelly Rd) | 123 | 1 per 20.4m² | 19 | 15.4% |
| Saanich Centre | 459 | 1 per 20.4m² | 31 | 6.8% |
| Shelbourne Plaza | 270 | 1 per 22.7m² | 18 | 6.7% |
| Tuscany Village | 340 | 1 per 17.9m² | 51 | 15% |
| Uptown⁵ | 2,865 | 1 per 28.6m² | 299 | 10.4% |
| Average | 1 per 23.1m² | 8.6% |
SUMMARY
Parking demand is expected to be 112 vehicles less than parking supply based on average peak period parking demand rates at comparison sites (factored for peak December conditions). This suggests that a portion of site parking could be allocated as reserved parking and expected parking demand still met as long as reserved parking does not exceed the number of spaces expected to be unoccupied (112). A more conservative allocation of reserved parking may be warranted in case Eagle Creek parking demand is higher than comparison site average.
Comparison sites include an average of approximately 8.6% reserved parking. These same sites were used to assess Eagle Creek parking supply. This suggests that a similar proportion of reserved parking is appropriate for Eagle Creek - 55 spaces.
Please contact the undersigned with any questions with regard to this assessment.
Sincerely, BOULEVARD TRANSPORTATION ... a division of Watt Consulting Group
Daniel Casey, MCIP, RPP, M.Plan Transportation Planner
¹ Eagle Creek Village Parking Study, prepared by Boulevard Transportation Group, June 24 2013 ² Representative study sites include Admirals Walk, Saanich Centre, Tuscany Village, Shelbourne Plaza, Broadmead Village, Gorge Centre, Hatley Park Plaza (Kelly Rd) ³ Assumes combined commercial-visitor parking supply with 9 spaces removed to account for residential visitor parking demand - 2013 Parking Study, pg11. ⁴ All sites consistent with comparison sites in 2013 Parking Study with addition of Uptown ⁵ Floor area and parking supply figures based on Saanich staff reports – November 29 2006, November 29 2010
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