The Executive Director of the North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) says most of the feedback over a proposal for paid parking on the North Shore has been negative so far.

Jeremy Heighton says the NSBIA wants to gather as much feedback as possible, which is why they are reaching out to the public right now.

“When you get that feedback, that helps you formulate those ideas. We’re not talking about this tomorrow,” he said. “As far as I know, we’ve had no formal discussion with the city in regards to it. It maybe five years from now. It may be three years from now where we have this conversation.”

“But we are just trying to get a sense for the feeling of the community and how they are feeling about it.”

Heighton says if paid parking plan goes ahead, it will help fund community policing and other street level enhancements, which in turn will be better for business owners and residents.

“If we do end up going there, there are some positives whether we like to hear that or not, and that includes funding for community policing or arts or other things, but there are also some challenges that come with it, and we need to hear both sides of that conversation,” he noted.

“What we will do is bring the feedback to our board for formulation of a position and what our businesses decide is what our position will be.”