Port Moody could be tightening its parking regulations so bylaw officers don’t get caught in the middle of neighbourhood feuds.
In a report to be presented to council’s governance and legislation committee on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Patrik Loby, the city’s senior bylaw enforcement officer, says while Port Moody has a three-hour time limit on street parking, it’s only enforced in residential neighbourhoods when property owners complain about vehicles left for extended periods.
Kolby said the approach was intended to discourage commuter or commercial vehicles from parking in nearby neighbourhoods while their owners went about their business elsewhere.
But over the years, changes in lot sizes and configurations as well as road infrastructure like the construction of sidewalks and bike lanes, has created challenges for street parking in some neighbourhoods, sparking disputes between neighbours over available spaces and an increased number of calls for bylaw officers to enforce the three-hour rule.
“Situations where a resident files a bylaw complaint that a car is parked abutting their property are increasing,” said Kolby.
“Some days these requests challenge staff resources and can place staff in the middle of these private property disputes.”
Kolby said responding to such complaints can tie up a bylaw officer for at least two trips — one to chalk the parked car’s tires and a subsequent visit to confirm the violation and issue a ticket.
And since most people aren’t aware of the three-hour limit because there’s no signs on every street, they often dispute the ticket, further tying up staff resources.
Kolby suggests amending the three-hour parking bylaw to limit its application and enforcement to the regular work week — between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday — will have the effect of preventing commuters and commercial drivers from leaving their vehicles in adjacent residential neighbourhoods for long periods of time while increasing the overall availability of on-street parking for residents.
“This regulation change is anticipated to still successfully discourage commuters from parking in residential neighbourhoods, as well as limit vehicles parking on the street for extended periods of time, allowing for turnover of parking spaces,” he said.
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