City hall had success this year in restricting some narrow streets to one-sided parking under a pilot project and plans to further implement such parking on the remaining narrow streets next year.
There are 35 narrow streets under nine metres in width that the city wants to make one-side parking so city and emergency vehicles could travel safely on them when responding to situations.
Sixteen streets are in the Avenues, while 19 are on South Hill. The municipality plans to spend $31,500 to install signs on those streets, making them one-sided parking.
Council approved a motion at its second April meeting to impose one-sided parking restrictions on those streets with no parking permit scheme allowed in the trial areas.
Residents from the Avenues expressed their opposition to the plan to council in May, which prompted a lengthy discussion from council before it sent the matter back to city administration for further investigation.
City hall provided a report during the Sept. 12 meeting that indicated council had considered in May aiding property owners by possibly providing curb cuts or allowing parking — albeit illegally — on the curb. However, city administration reviewed materials back to 2016 and found the city had never helped anyone with such infrastructure needs.
“With that being the case, it is suggested that the fairest option would be to encourage those property owners to create a parking spot in their backyard,” the report said. “Further, considering the lateness of the year — and to provide time to construct a parking spot in the back or front yard — it is suggested that this (option for a driveway) comes into effect June 30, 2023.”
Mayor Clive Tolley wondered what factors city administration considered when determining where to implement one-side parking, such as having vehicles face downhill or staying away from fire hydrants on a block.
He also wondered when this program would be fully implemented, considering residents from the Avenues raised concerns in May.
City hall’s preference is for vehicles to face downhill, although it would pursue the opposite direction if the fire department needed to access a fire hydrant mid-block, said Darrin Stephanson, director of public works and utilities.
The city will notify affected residents this fall because many likely expect this to occur soon, but it won’t until next year, said city manager Jim Puffalt. City hall will give residents three months’ notice before implementation, while it will advise them to install off-street driveways.
“Winter is coming. We don’t want anybody not being able to start their car and plug in this year while they work their way through those logistics,” he added. “It would be very reasonable to provide sufficient time for them to figure (out) what they can do with their property.”
City hall does not have a list of narrow back alleys but knows most are in the Avenues, Stephanson told Coun. Jamey Logan. While those narrow back lanes are a tight fit for city equipment, most passenger vehicles can easily navigate them.
With one-sided parking on streets near Saskatchewan Polytechnic, city hall received four or five complaints during the first couple of years after the change in 2016, Stephanson told Tolley. There have been no complaints or issues with enforcement since then, which means residents have adapted to the change.
Coun. Heather Eby reminded council that implementing one-side parking on narrow streets ensures the city complies with the national fire code and isn’t liable should an incident occur.
“It is what it is … ,” she added. “I’m in support of moving forward with this because it is the prudent thing to do for our city.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 26.
