Smaller lots mean parking headaches

“We’ve been having a problem with a certain neighbour abusing (the bylaw),” explains Lafrance Drive resident Bernard Lamoureux, pointing to municipal legislation that decrees vehicles must be parked 1.5 metres away from the entrance to any driveway and explaining it has been coming into effect on his street more frequently thanks to calls to bylaw.

The issue, he continues, is that many of the street’s inhabitants either own multiple vehicles and need additional space beyond their driveways, or have family or friends visiting without room for them to park. “The driveways accommodate two cars,” Lamoureux recounts. “People sometimes have three cars.”

Space between driveways is at such a premium that drivers often come back to their vehicles with bylaw fines attached, he says, adding that bylaw “doesn’t enforce the law except when somebody calls.”

The situation has gotten so frustrating that Lamoureux presented Cumberland Coun. Rob Jellett, whose ward includes Lafrance Drive, with a petition signed by 53 residents from the 47-house street last week, asking for some intervention. “It’s been going on for years … the problem is, now it’s getting worse,” he suggests. “My point was that the bylaw is nice and fine but it leaves a window of opportunity … to use out of malice.”

And while Lamoureux admits he’s aware “you can’t do much about a bylaw,” he’s still hoping municipal intervention – potentially at the enforcement level – will help. “We’re not trying to weasel our way out of parking tickets or legitimate complaints people have,” Lamoureux continues. “The bylaw is okay for legitimate purposes. But it leaves a window of opportunity (for someone) to use it for mischief or revenge. Bylaw officers should use discretion or good judgement.”

The parking legislation “has been around a long time,” adds Jellett. “The point of having that there is to make sure nobody blocks driveways. It makes sense from that perspective.”

The most conceivable place where immediate changes could be made – if at all – would be on the enforcement side, he suggests, explaining there needs to be “some room for common sense.”

With the issue only recently presented to his office, Jellett says they haven’t yet met with city staff to discuss possible solutions. And while alleged abuse of the bylaw isn’t one complaint he’s heard from residents before, parking continues to be a growing area of concern for many, Jellett adds. “To change a bylaw is a long process,” he says. “If there’s going to be any accommodation here, it’s going to have to be done at enforcement. (But) I’ve had a lot of parking complaints over the past few years. It’s a very complicated issue.”

The city is continuing to push intensification as a planning principle, which means smaller lot sizes – and therefore smaller garages and driveways – in new residential neighbourhoods, Jellett explains. “Where are (residents) supposed to park?” he asks. “It’s kind of a catch-22.”

The number of complaints “has definitely increased” in recent years, Jellett continues, pointing to the need for a more long-term solution – even changing legislation – if the trend persists. “Something like this could reach critical mass,” he adds.