Parking rate hike in Vancouver’s West End won’t affect longtime residents: city

VANCOUVER – The City of Vancouver is defending proposed changes to parking regulations in the densely populated West End.

It’s considering recommendations that could boost the cost of a residents-only parking permit to $50 per month, up from $6 per month.

A news release from the city says revisions won’t happen before the fall and would reflect market pricing for current off-street parking in the neighbourhood.

The changes would also be grandfathered so only new residents to the area would pay the higher fee.

The West End is one of the oldest and largest permitted parking areas in Vancouver, and planners say it is long overdue for review.

A city survey shows that while street parking is at a premium for residents and visitors, many buildings have unused, off-street parking that should be better utilized to ease the parking crunch.