Vernon tries to solve on-street parking congestion by asking residents to buy permits

VERNON – A new on-street parking policy would have residents pay to park on the street in front of their own homes in some areas of Vernon.

Vernon council approved a draft Resident-Exempt Parking Area policy today, Nov. 14, in response to on-street parking concerns on the side streets behind Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Residents have complained about the lack of available on-street parking, as well as vehicles blocking their driveways.

Under the resident-exempt system — which is already used in a couple other areas of the city — both permit holders and non-permit holders can park on the street, but residents can purchase permits that exempt them from the posted parking controls, such as a two-hour time limit or a set time of the day when no parking can occur.

The policy is aimed at balancing the on-street parking needs of residents and non-residents in Vernon neighbourhoods, but not everyone is happy with it. Coun. Juliette Cunningham feels residents are being forced to pay to park outside their own homes to solve a congestion problem caused by people (mainly hospital staff) trying to avoid parking fees at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

“You’ve got people avoiding paying where there’s adequate parking,” Cunningham says of the paid parking hospital parking lot. “I think this is really unfair.”

Council did amend the parking fee for resident exempt permits to $25 a year for up to two vehicles. Anyone wishing to park an additional vehicle on the street would have to buy an additional $25 permit.

Before implementation, the city will engage with residents in the area to determine their level of support for the proposed parking changes.

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