Changes to Traffic Bylaw will affect Nelson neighbourhoods
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
People will no longer be able to park in front of, nor within one metre of, a public or private stairway in a residential zone — and they’ll have to clear their sidewalks of snow within one day after a snowfall.
City council passed three amendments to the Traffic Bylaw Monday night — one in response to a complaint in late January by a handicapped Uphill resident who had trouble accessing her residence because people frequently parked and blocked the stairs to her home.
Also installed in the bylaw was the requirement that residents, as well as businesses, be required to clear City sidewalks adjacent to their property by 11 a.m., except on Sundays and statutory holidays.
As well, the bylaw was amended to reflect a long-standing city protocol for snow clearing, requiring residents to park on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days, and vice versa on even-numbered days.
Only Coun. Bob Adams spoke out against the latter two amendments, citing them as onerous and not needed for inclusion in the letter of the bylaw.
Bylaw enforcement officers will now be apprised of the amendments to the bylaw. Enforcement will be undertaken based on reported incidents, with people being encouraged to contact the City’s Public Works department to report vehicles parked incorrectly, or sidewalks that have not been kept clear of snow in a timely manner.
People can also contact the City to report vehicles parked within one meter of stairs granting access to private or public property.
The fines pertaining to these offences will be determined during budget deliberations in the next few weeks.
Background
A resident in Uphill had explained to council Jan. 24 the difficulties she has been experiencing being handicapped and accessing her residence since members of the public frequently park in front of the stairs to her home.
In light of the fact that many other residences in the city had stairways from their property to the curb, the resident suggested council consider the amendment to the bylaw to assist property owners, especially those who are elderly and may have disabilities.
By adding in the amendment to the bylaw, it would allow snow removal operators to initiate enforcement when contraventions were encountered.
