As council considers allowing trailers and recreational vehicles to be temporarily parked in residential driveways, some members want to explore the option of seasonal exemptions in addition to short-term permits.
Council’s committee of the whole didn’t take a stand during its Monday meeting regarding a city staff recommendation to create a program allowing residents to apply for up to six exemptions per year, with each lasting up to 48 hours.
The matter was deferred to council’s Nov. 22 meeting for a decision.
In the meantime, Mayor Cam Guthrie told his colleagues he plans to work with staff on an amendment that could open the door for seasonal exemptions.
“It seems very onerous to me,” Guthrie said of the proposed short-term exemptions process. “I definitely think we need to have seasonal exemptions.”
That won’t be decided during the end-of-month meeting, but direction could be given to staff to craft a bylaw and bring it back for approval.
As seasonal exemptions weren’t included as an option during a recent online survey, additional engagement with residents may be needed, deputy CAO Colleen Clack-Bush noted.
In that case, added John Godfrey, the city’s manager of bylaw compliance, public consultations could begin early next year, with a final report and recommendation to council next fall. If approved, implementation would follow.
Staff came forward with the short-term permits concept after council directed it to look into the matter earlier this year. An online survey conducted during the summer received 1,831 valid responses, which were virtually split 50/50.
Clack-Bush explained those who own or rent trailers are in favour of allowing driveway parking and those who don’t indicated hesitancy to the idea based on neighbourhood aesthetics and safety concerns.
Short-term exemptions would allow for trailers and RVs to be loaded, unloaded and cleaned, she added.
While some council members expressed support for the idea, others disagreed.
“Not all trailers are created equal,” commented Coun. Bob Bell, noting there’s a large variety of heights and lengths, as well as differences in the length of driveways that should be considered.
“It is akin to having a tiny home,” Coun. Leanne Caron added of some larger RVs. “We would not allow a tiny home to be built in a driveway.”
Guthrie stressed seasonal exemptions, if ultimately approved by council, should only apply in cases that don’t also involve other bylaw violations such as obstructing the sidewalk or safety.
Parking of trailers and RVs in private driveways isn’t currently allowed and no consideration was given to lifting that ban entirely.
Under current bylaws, boats, trailers, campers and other recreational vehicles are allowed to be stored in a garage, side yard or rear yard, though using or living in them in those locations isn’t permitted.
Anyone found in violation of existing trailer and RV parking rules faces a $135 fine, though repeat offenders may be summoned to court and a larger fine imposed.
Enforcement is currently done based on complaints, which Godfrey explained comes with a warning and a 30-day compliance period. In the proposed bylaw revisions, proactive enforcement is envisioned.
