Residents living along some roads in Tsawwassen Shores subdivision on Tsawwassen First Nation lands are angry about changes to parking rules on the streets outside their homes.
However, the TFN says the steps are needed to preserve two-way traffic on the roads and to discourage spillover parking from nearby high-density developments, as well as from those parking their vehicles in order to catch a ferry at the nearby BC Ferries terminal, and that the measures meet best parking practices used elsewhere.
Signs allowing only four hours of parking on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., have been posted along some streets.
While people can still park in parking bays on one side of the street, for some roads, parking no longer will be allowed on the other side of the street, in order to improve the flow of two-way traffic on smaller streets, improve visibility and improve access for emergency or garbage vehicles, said a statement on the Tsawwassen First Nation website.
Enforcement will be on a complaint basis, so if residents are dealing with parking problems, they can call the TFN's compliance and enforcement team.
The rule limiting to weekday parking to four hours is making it tougher for one resident who has organized a change.org petition against the new rules and who says the family’s large truck doesn’t fit comfortably in the townhouse’s garage.
As well, because she works from home, she has to constantly move her vehicle to avoid getting a ticket.
The rules could also discourage future buyers and hurt property values, she said.
Instead, she’s asking TFN to either remove the signs or set up a pass system for residents so they can be exempt from parking rules.
“This plea is not just a call for convenience but a request for consideration of our rights as residents in our neighbourhood,” she said.
Ray Tetzel, who lives on Osprey Drive, said the rule changes won’t affect him as much as his neighbours. He lives on a corner lot and parks his SUV on the side of his house, off the main street.
But with all-day parking no longer allowed, he’ll have to park out front, noting he’s already received a warning ticket.
He pointed out that the TFN have told him the rules are being enforced only on a complaint basis.
Because of a fire hydrant in front of his house, his vehicle will be in front of his neighbour’s, which means his neighbour will lose a parking spot.
He also suggests a resident parking permit system but was told that would cost too much to enforce.
Tetzel said has no problem with TFN setting its parking regulations but notes the streets are wide in the subdivision, compared to those in Vancouver, with five metres between his vehicle and another on the other side of the road.
And he questions why the four-hour parking limits only apply on weekdays, which still allows motorists to park their vehicles on weekends for free, while taking a ferry trip to Vancouver Island.
“I’m not sure of the logic behind it … because it doesn’t address that problem whatsoever,” he said.
TFN’s executive-council approved an overall parking plan in 2022, while installation of the new signs should have just been completed.
The TFN said last week the measures address growing concerns about safety and congestion and that the steps are needed to ensure emergency vehicle access and to preserve two-way streets.
The four-hour parking limit is to ensure the streets are available for short-term parking instead of long term use, such as for those parking and then catching a ferry, which has been a longstanding issue, the TFN statement said.
The parking strategy aligns with with best practices from around Metro Vancouver.
Public consultation over the new parking rules was held in February 2022 while residents also received a mail out last August, and staff have responded to all questions to date.
The statement said that TFN recognizes it’s a “fluid situation,” as it experiences rapid development and growth.
“As our community continues to evolve, we are committed to regularly assessing and improving our regulations and bylaws to meet the needs of our residents,” the statement said. “TFN will continue to explore ways to enhance our standards, ensuring a balanced approach to safety, accessibility, and community well-being.”
