Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc is introducing a motion next week that would ease the city's overnight parking ban.
The ban begins Dec. 1 each year and runs until the end of March. No vehicles can park on city streets between midnight and 7 a.m. Commercial vehicles and trailers are banned from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m.
The ban ensures city crews are able to clear snow from roadways and sidewalks during winter months. The city aggressively enforces the bylaw, which could net motorists a $75 ticket and the possibility their vehicle will be towed to make room for plows.
This year, an exception was made, allowing overnight parking on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
Leduc's motion says that, since snow removal on our roadways does not necessarily only occur during overnight hours, more leeway should be given to non-commercial vehicles.
It would boost the city's efforts to cut down on impaired driving, the motion says, and the bylaw has already been changed to allow overnight holiday parking.
Leduc says “several residents” have asked the restricted hours be changed to 2-6, and requests staff prepare a report by this September on the implications of the change.
The motion will be discussed at the March 19 meeting of city council. More information is available on the city's website.
