BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canalside is one of the busiest attractions in Western New York, causing parking to be limited at times.

One resident says the parking system is driving visitors away, rather than drawing them to the site.

"It’s probably a conversation we should have," said Division of Parking Enforcement Commissioner Kevin Helfer during a community development committee meeting.

Just over a year ago, the city increased parking restrictions during the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Resident Joseph Mascia wrote a letter to the city outlining his concern that the increased metered hours are off-putting to visitors.

"Come to Canalside, come to the events at Canalside—then they get penalized because most people figure ‘well it's just 9-5 like every place else in the city,’" said Mascia. “They don't look at the meters or the signs. They put money in just to spend a day and when they come back, there's not one parking violation person, but two handing out parking tickets.”

Council member David Franczyk told Spectrum News metered parking increased rotation and discourages drivers from sitting in one spot for the entire day.