Editor, The News:
I would like to suggest that Maple Ridge implement an on-street parking permit.
This is a device used in many cities in North America and is used to supplement operating funds for the city and create a more safe access for emergency vehicles when neighbourhoods have become plugged with on-street parking.
My neighbourhood, for instance, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. is hard for even one car to navigate the street, let alone should a fire truck or ambulance need access.
I know it is human nature to avoid the need to purchase the ability to legally park on the street and would be more likely to use their driveway/garage in order to negate the purchase of an on-street parking permit.
For those who still wish street parking between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (overnight parking), they would be required to either pay for a permit ($50 per year) or receive a ticket issued by bylaws for $100 for parking against the bylaw for each infraction.
I only suggest this because I feel it is becoming more and more dangerous as most of our neighbourhoods contain many secondary suites, of which overwhelms the planned parking allotment when the subdivision was first planned.
Many homeowners don’t use their garage for parking. Many use them for storage and a place to put junk.
Many homes with lane access to driveways, which are not used, park in the front of their homes, which adds to the ongoing problem. These people would be more apt to use their driveways if they were presented with the idea that they would need to purchase a permit.
This device is currently used in White Rock and Vancouver. Between the cost of permits and the issuing of fines, this bylaw could generate an adequate amount of funds, which would fund the hiring of new personnel required to staff this bylaw enforcement, and with a considerable amount to go into the city operation budget.
Lastly, I would like to amplify the fact that we are reaching a dangerous situation which could effect the ability of fire trucks and ambulances from reaching a house fire, a heart attack victim in need of intervention, or a child needing medical attention.
Please give this serious consideration and please see the need for this suggestion and how it can be instituted at no cost to the city.
Kevin Buell
Maple Ridge