Samson’s got his eye on city parking lots

Downtown: Wants more information on public parking

Coun. Larry Samson put city staff on notice that he will be checking up on the city’s downtown parking lots.

Samson, at last week’s Tuesday council meeting, tabled a notice of motion that he wants more information on public parking in the downtown core.

“I’ll be asking for the overall conditions and maintenance of our public parking lots within the downtown parking reserve,” Samson said.

That motion is expected to go before city staff at next Tuesday’s council meeting.

The city began cracking down on downtown parking in June.

The addition of one part-time bylaw officer earlier this year allowed the city to carry out regular downtown parking patrols last month.

City Clerk Peter Wipper said the enforcement was prompted by requests from local businesses.

“Increased activity in the downtown core has led to a higher demand for parking, and the city is receiving complaints about people leaving their vehicles parked on the street in excess of the posted time limits,” Wipper said in May. “This has led to requests from local merchants and the Downtown Business Improvement Association and the Pier Street Association for increased parking enforcement.”

Mayor Walter Jakeway said earlier this year that he had received complaints from downtown merchants on Shoppers Row and Pier Street that people were parking all day in 30-minute parking zones, making it difficult for customers to access their shops.

To help people with downtown parking, the city has a map on its website showing long-term downtown off-street parking areas. To view the map visit, www.campbellriver.ca and look under City Services/Maps/Downtown Parking.

Campbell River Mirror