A new bylaw that allowed neighbours to set limits on who parks in their area is still working well as it nears its first birthday.
The “resident only bylaw” allows residents to collect petitions supported by 65 per cent of those who live there, asking for either resident exemption (for time limits) or resident-only parking in busy areas.
If the required support is shown to staff, streets can have either time-limited parking, allowing residents to park for longer times; or “resident-only” parking – in areas where there’s a lack of on-street parking.
So far, only two locations have had two-hour parking limits put in place. One general area is near Ridge Meadows Hospital on Cutler Place, west of Laity Street, and on 212th Street, north of 117th Avenue. Residents were concerned about hospital employees and residents parking for extended periods, so the restrictions were imposed last August.
Another location, on Anderson Place, south of River Road, near Ridge Meadows Hospital, also had a two-hour parking limit implemented last September.
Some people tried to get parking limits along Dogwood Avenue, near the Black Sheep Pub, but there wasn’t enough support.
A staff report says that one consequence of the parking limits is the inconvenience for visitors to residents in the area who may have to hunt for permitted parking spaces.
Staff say the costs for the program are minimal, with motorists only needing a $10 vehicle decal identifying them as residents.