Editor:
Re: Street parking raises concerns for resident, June 3.
I was deeply shocked to read the comment from White Rock’s planning director that a parking plan was not required for the construction of the Cressey development on Vidal Street because on-street parking is permitted in the area.
I guess she feels a 12-storey highrise is not a major project.
Vidal is a short, narrow side street with limited on-street parking. The apartment buildings only have one parking stall per unit and no on-site visitors parking, therefore residents who have two vehicles, and visitors, have to park on the street.
Over the years, parking spots on Vidal have decreased. When five townhouses were built, parking spots were taken up by driveways. A yellow construction fence currently blocks off a site with a development proposal, which has been up for four years now – no parking allowed there. There is no parking allowed in front of our building; it is kept open for emergency and delivery vehicles.
Parking problems have already started. One day, during construction of the sales centre, three asphalt trucks parked in the no-parking area. When they were approached by residents, the drivers said city staff were aware of them parking there.
When city staff were contacted, we were told that parking officers can only issue one ticket a day; the truck drivers just accepted the fine and parked there all day anyway.
Residents of Vidal and Vine streets are faced with two years of construction hell, and now it looks like we will have the extra burden of not having enough parking spaces.
Permits should include requirement to have a parking plan for all vehicles related to the construction. Vidal Street parking needs to be kept for residents only, and no-parking signs needs to be respected.
Once again, it seems city council and staff have neither empathy nor understanding of taxpaying residents. Or maybe they do not care, preferring instead to accommodate the needs of developers.
The residents of Vidal Street could really do with one of the city’s “good neighbour policies” right now.
C. Carville, White Rock
