Victoria city council has ratified its decision to increase the amount of pedestrian-only space in Clover Point Park by partially closing the paved loop to motor vehicles.
Staff initially recommended a full closing to create a car-free zone at the point. But council struck a compromise by agreeing to block off the west side of the loop, while leaving the east side open to cars, with parking spots and a place for vehicles to turn around.
Coun. Geoff Young attempted a last-minute redesign to add more west-facing parking spots on the loop, so that people can sit in their vehicles and watch the sunset. But his motion was defeated by a majority of councillors, some of whom noted that drivers can simply back their cars into the parking spots on the east side of the loop if they want to face west.
Council did make one change to the plan, reducing the budget for outdoor furniture to $50,000 from the $90,000 recommended by staff.
Coun. Stephen Andrew, who voted in support of the partial closing at committee of the whole last week, changed his vote at council and joined Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe in opposing the proposal, which passed 7-2.
