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Debate continues over residential street parking in Parksville

City of Parksville wants to hear from its residents on parking issues

With the removal of "resident only parking" signs, The City of Parksville is asking residents about adding other restrictive signs.

After it was brought up by residents at a "town-hall-style" meeting at Ballenas Secondary School (BSS) in May 2012, city council decided to remove unenforceable "resident-only" signs rather than implementing a decal and enforcement program.

The resident-only signs were initiated in 1999 by residents around BSS due to an overflow parking problem that has since been resolved, according to most who spoke at public meetings.

Since then the signs were added in other areas and there are currently sections of eight city streets with "resident parking only" signs, but there is no decal system to identify resident vehicles so the signs are unenforceable.

Rather than an expensive decal program, council decided to remove the signs and replace them with "parking restrictive signage," like no parking at certain times of day, which would be enforceable by the existing bylaw staff.

To install the new signs, a 51 per cent majority of the affected residents is required. The city is currently sending letters out looking for that support, though the details of exactly what signs, including the prohibited times, is not yet clear which has brought one complaint to The NEWS.

A staff report said "all current residents have parking alternatives," such as driveways and parking will only be restricted at certain times of day.

Affected residents with questions can call 250-951-2488 or e-mail Bsilenieks@parksville.ca.