Editor:
Re: Five Corners parking rules to stay, June 3.
I am continually amazed at the knee-jerk, kids-fighting-in-the-sandbox approach that White Rock council has regarding parking.
I have been a taxpayer in White Rock for 14 years and, for the same length of time, have been frustrated by the varied and ever-changing parking decisions.
When I lived on Roper Street, my driveway was frequently blocked by vehicles from the apartment building across the street. I often had to call the bylaw department just to be able to leave my home.
A ticket was never issued, unlike their approach on the beach.
Parking at the apartment was insufficient and, as such, residents claimed they had no option. The homes on Roper could not get out of driveways, have space for visitors to park or allow their children out to play, with cars turning in driveways.
White Rock’s response? Change the bylaw to three-day maximum and paint ridiculous lines on the roadway – a sheer waste of taxpayer money.
So now we have a situation of people parking vehicles long-term, moving them every three days or so. This has been a godsend for the employees of Peace Arch Hospital, who now use the surrounding residential streets to park.
Take a walk up Merklin; there is nary a single open spot, as various hospital-clad employees make their way from their vehicles to work, and the enormous pay lot north of 16 Avenue remains vacant.
I have had to put cement blocks on my yard to prevent such parking on the side streets.
So, there’s a three-day limit anywhere in the city, but if I want to run into town to see the naturopath, go for sushi or spend some money in my city, I am limited to one hour?
I am astounded at the logic and reasoning behind any of the decisions made in White Rock. Here’s an idea, perhaps we should publish the residential addresses of all White Rock council and park our cars in front of their homes for three days at a time.
The present attitude White Rock has regarding parking diminishes enjoyment of home life for residents and hurts local business, whether at the beach or uptown.
This is what we voted for?
Lisa Hodgetts, White Rock