Port Moody will put parking restrictions on four roads in the city this winter to make it easier for plows to clear snow and ice.
But they won't last all winter and they'll only apply to small sections of those roads, said Jeff Moi, Port Moody's general manager of engineering and operations, after some confusion about the city's original intentions caused several residents of those roads to speak out at council last Tuesday, Oct. 24.
They feared the restrictions were too broad and lasted too long, making it difficult for them to make alternate arrangements for parking their vehicles.
Moi said the parking restrictions will affect the:
- east side of April Road, from Ioco Road to Barber Street Park
- north side of Burrard Crescent from 18 to 20 Burrard Crescent and the east side of the road from 32 to 36 Burrard Crescent
- north side of Sycamore Drive, from Maple Drive to 132 Sycamore Dr.
- west side of View Street, from View Court to 1790 View St.
Moi explained, in most cases, the restrictions will affect the roads in front of only a few homes, so residents of those homes who do park on the street can likely find alternate locations. And while the period for the restrictions runs from Dec. 1 to March 15, they'll only be enforced during snow events.
Moi said the restrictions are needed because the roads at those locations are very narrow or challenging for plows to navigate without causing possible damage to parked cars, noting signs will be posted to indicate where and when the restrictions apply.
The new rules are part of several improvements to Port Moody's snow clearing and road maintenance plan for the coming winter that resulted from a staff review of its operations and a town hall meeting held last February.
Other improvements are the replacement of a leased one-ton pickup truck that can be equipped with a plow for use on multi-use paths and plowing and sanding along lower priority routes and an additional side-by-side utility terrain vehicle that can be equipped with a plow, sander, snow blower and brine applicator.
As well, the city is building its own brine making facility at the public works yard on Murray Street.
The new equipment is being paid for by $450,000 set aside from Port Moody's share of the provincial growing communities fund.
In a report, Moi said the city will also deploy additional staff resources to enforce rules for cleaning sidewalks and boulevards.
Staff is also recommending the continuation of the Snow Stars volunteer shovelling program.
During a snow or ice event, Port Moody prioritizes its roads to determine when they will be plowed.
- Priority 1 routes get plowed first.
- They are major arterial routes that facilitate movement across the city, as well as roads that connect with regional roads and highways and those that provide access to schools
- Priority 2 routes are plowed to a passable condition after priority 1 routes have been cleared.
- They include collector and local connector roads that are typically longer than 200 meters and roads that provide access to critical water and sewer infrastructure
- Priority 3 routes are local neighbourhood roads.
- They get attention once priority 1 and 2 routes have been cleared
Pedestrian routes that include sidewalks, crosswalks, medians, multi-use paths, bus stops and cycling paths are also prioritized:
- Priority 1 areas are with 800 metres of the city's two SkyTrain stations
- Priority 2 routes are those further than 800 metres from the stations
Homeowners, stratas and businesses are responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of their property by 10 a.m., if they're located on a priority pedestrian route and within 24 hours if they're not.
