A provincial rule requiring municipalities to post signs for any angle parking has kiboshed plans to allow this kind of parking in Red Deer cul-de-sacs.
City council passed a motion on Monday that no changes would be made to the city’s traffic bylaw around allowing angle parking in cul-de-sacs. Administration was directed to see if the province can amend its Traffic Safety Act to eliminate the requirement for specific signs, which would result in unnecessary over-signage and costs.
Staff had suggested angle parking be allowed on cul-de-sacs where garbage pickup is accessed from back lanes, and that it only be allowed from May 1 to Nov. 30 so that it doesn’t effect snow clearing.
Elaine Vincent, manager of Legislative and Governance Services, said this issue arose after a resident felt it was inappropriate to receive a ticket for parking at an angle.
Council asked for a review. The issue warranted a look, she added.
“We’ve had a number of complaints in the last couple of months that have caused us to go out and write tickets, even when we’ve been under review,” said Vincent.
Tickets are normally handed out on a complaint basis or if there are problems with garbage pickup.
“The thing that I’m frustrated with is that in one cul-de-sac, it’s OK and in another cul-de-sac, it’s not,” said Coun. Buck Buchanan. “So the consistency (is not there).”
Coun. Tara Veer said she was concerned about adding signs. “It seems like we are oversigning our city,” said Veer. “The root issue really does seem to be the constraints around the provincial law.”
To spend $54,000 on additional signs in 2012, following rigorous debate on the operating budget, is a waste, she added.
“We should try to pursue this with the provincial government and see if there’s any flexibility.”
Edmonton and Medicine Hat allow angle parking on cul-de-sacs whereas Calgary, Lethbridge and St. Albert do not.
Councillors Dianne Wyntjes, Paul Harris and Buchanan voted against the motion.
“While we can continue to have those conversations with the government, it takes a long time,” Wyntjes said later. “We’re missing what some of the citizens are needing and asking for.”
Wyntjes said it would have been appropriate to allow the signs where garbage pickup is accessed from back lanes, and during the summer months only.
“Signage complies with the act and it provides clarity for citizens, so the ($54,000) would have been appropriate for responding to our citizens’ requests,” she said.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com