Coquitlam bylaw officers have issued more than 1,000 tickets for unsafe or illegal parking near construction sites in the months since the city implemented tougher enforcement of its construction rules.
And the rules could soon be getting even tougher and more expensive.
A staff report to Coquitlam’s council-in-committee said the city is working to strengthen its bylaw enforcement capabilities as well as extend it later into evening and on weekends. It’s also continuing to advocate to the provincial government for an increase to the maximum fine for bylaw offences — from $500 to $3,000.
The report said changes to bylaws “to better address construction-related nuisances, including parking, noise after hours and road closures,” could be ready to go sometime in the first four months of 2025.
According to the report, Coquitlam’s zero-tolerance approach to enforcing construction rules will help “reduce the significant society and environmental impacts of infill construction that can negatively affect community livability, residents’ quality of life, and, in extreme cases, their safety.”
The city has also created a new construction site liaison within the building permits division to oversee construction management plans, liaise with builders and facilitate coordination between departments and the community. As well, additional bylaw officers have been assigned to enforce the construction rules.
“It is the city’s practice to enforce in every circumstance where there is sufficient evidence to support the violation,” said the report.
The enhanced effort has resulted in fines being issued for:
- 23 cases of working outside permitted hours
- nine breaches of permit conditions
- 35 cases of improper trailer storage
- 91 cases of parking vehicles over 4,500 kg in restricted areas
In addition to the 1,000 parking tickets, bylaw violations indirectly association with construction include:
- 30 fines for unlawful work on the street
- 13 cases of using streets for storage
- 30 cases of unlawful structures on streets
The report said boosted enforcement of commercial vehicle bylaws has also resulted in 134 tickets for violations like using jake brakes in residential areas, unlawful delivery routes, early deliveries and operating overweight vehicles.
“Coquitlam’s active commercial vehicle enforcement program plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and quality of life for residents in established neighbourhoods,” said the report, adding, “these enforcement efforts help mitigate the noise, disruption and safety concerns caused by increased truck traffic.”
As well, a four-member team that includes a new environmental compliance specialist conducts patrols six days a week to ensure construction projects are complying with they city’s environmental regulations.
So far this year, said the report, they’ve issued 122 tickets along with two orders to install real-time water quality monitoring systems.
If you have a problem with a Coquitlam construction site, you can report it:
- by phone
- to the city’s engineering and public works hotline
- 604-927-3500
- by email
- online
- through the city’s customer feedback form
With a file from Janis Cleugh, Tri-City News
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