For Maple Ridge, it’s not necessarily a sure thing – that reducing the amount of space required in front of fire hydrants will result in the creation of more parking space.
According to a University of the Fraser Valley study by Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, reducing the required space from five to 2.5 metres would create hundreds of new parking spaces.
That’s not a certainty, though, in Maple Ridge, says city engineer Dave Pollock.
The creation of new parking stalls depends on the streets where fire hydrants are located, Pollock added.
He hasn’t yet looked at how changing the required amount of space to 2.5 metres, which would require a change in provincial legislation, would affect Maple Ridge. But most likely, long streets with lots of parking, such as in the downtown area, would benefit the most by reducing the amount of free space in front of fire hydrants.
He said the effect would be less pronounced in residential areas because the dozens of driveways, and the restrictions on parking too close to them, would counteract any increased space resulting from relaxed rules over fire hydrants.
“The reduction may or may not increase parking,” Pollock said.
Staff, he added, will talk to the Maple Ridge fire chief and monitor the issue to see if actually leads to a change in provincial legislation.
Bylaws manager Robin MacNair said her department isn’t currently looking at the issue, while Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association executive-director Ineke Boekhorst said it hasn’t been raised by customers or members.
The association, she added, doesn’t have a position on changing the requirements.
Coun. Gordy Robson said it’s an interesting proposal, but council would have to see what the fire department thinks.
The study shows that reducing the no-stopping zone to 2.5 metres would increase the availability on-street parking “without impeding fire ground operations or public safety” and could create hundreds of additional parking stalls in larger communities.
GPS technology now makes it easier for fire crews to spot hydrants.
Coquitlam Coun. Craig Hodge said the city has 1,800 mid-block fire hydrants that are taking up “twice as much parking as fire chiefs say is needed,” which could be used create new spaces.
