On Nov. 24, Beiseker councillors voted against a bylaw stating residents wouldn’t be able to park on Main Street and First Street during winter months because it was deemed unfair to residents.
The bylaw prohibited residents from parking on the two streets from November to May to aid Public Works in snow clearing.
Noncompliance would result in vehicles being towed to Crossfield, as there’s no tow service located in the village.
Chief Administrative Officer Jo Lambert said the bylaw, but more so the threat of towing, is meant to encourage residents and business owners to comply when the Village asks residents not to park on the street during plowing.
Currently, there is no bylaw stating residences can’t park on certain streets for snow removal. Instead, the Village informs residences and businesses of the parking ban by sending letters at the beginning of the winter season.
This system isn’t working because residents are parking there regardless, Lambert said.
“We do this every year and it’s a pain,” Lambert said.
“If somebody got their car towed maybe they would listen.”
Councillor Warren Wise said he had issues with the whole bylaw, especially with putting a parking ban on streets for six months of year.
“But we don’t know when it’s going to snow,” Lambert responded. “I can’t write a bylaw that says on Dec. 15 it’s going to snow.”
Mayor Ray Courtman said he feels parking bans infringe on people’s rights.
“If we declare a street a snow route (then) you can’t park in front of your own house,” Courtman added.
Karen Ursu said her problem with the bylaw had to do with its affect on her business, Midcountry Automotive on Main Street, which clients often park in front of.
Courtman agreed with Ursu’s issue, saying clients who park their car in front of the business to get an oil change in the morning would wake up with their car towed to Crossfield and no way to get it back.
When asked if plowing around vehicles is an issue, Lambert confirmed it was because the area around the car becomes packed, icy and dangerous.
“Then people complain (to the Village),” she said.
Councillor Al Henuset moved for first reading, which was opposed unanimously by all other members of council.
Instead of rewriting the bylaw or creating a whole new one, councillors suggested using preexisting street cleaning sandwich boards or buying new snow clearing sandwich boards to let residents know a parking ban is in affect.
“It’s worth the money if we have to buy some signs,” Courtman said.
“I appreciate Public Works’ difficulty.”
