Committee lands on 3-minute idling time limit, not 1 minute

Idling limits in Windsor could be capped at three minutes, should city council agree with the latest recommendation coming out of Wednesday's meeting of the environment committee.

• Proposed idling limits for Windsor won't include drive-thru lanes

Members have for weeksbeen mulling a staff recommendation to lower idling timesto one minute, down from the current five minutes.

Coun. Fred Francis thought the drop to one minute would be too harsh of a change. He told CBC News the latest recommendation would still make Windsor a leader in the region for trying to find ways to improveair quality.

"I think any councillor, any elected official, any resident really, wants to do what they can to improve the air quality in their neighbourhood, in their city, in their community," Francis said. "It's just a matter of how we can do that in a balanced way that doesn't increase the financial burden on our residents."

City staff clarified in a report to the committee thatthe changes would not apply to people usingdrive-thru lanes, loading zones or people waiting at rail crossings.

Committee members also ensured the latest proposal to city council will maintain existing language that exempts drivers from the three-minute limit in extreme cold weather.

"I certainly don't want to punish anyone for warming up their car in the winter," Francis said.