Unfair process on “residents only”

Dear Editor: We recently received a letter from the City stating that they were expanding the “resident only” parking zones.

The reasoning was due to “... expected impact from further expansion of the downtown pay parking program and from petitions from local residents.”

We live on Municipal Ave., so obviously we are not impacted by downtown pay parking expansion and we are unaware of a petition.

I phoned Blake Laven, planning manager with the City of Penticton, and he could produce no petition for our street. He said there were discussions questioning inclusion of Municipal Ave. and although not necessarily a problem now, they decided to “widen the net” for “resident only” parking. He said the City “might” revisit the inclusion of Municipal Ave. (and other areas.)

We are not impacted by hospital staff parking and see no reason to pay a fee for unnecessary permits to be able to park on the street. I took a pictures of the hospital staff parking lot and it was easily one-third empty. Parking in adjoining neighbourhoods was not a problem before pay parking was implemented at the hospital and downtown.

Now they want to be sure they collect parking revenue one way or another. Why not go after the residents and guests not displaying a permit?

We see “widening the net” is premature and just another cash grab by the city. Given local events we have little trust that Municipal Ave. will ever be taken off the “resident only” zone. City of Penticton, earn my trust and prove me wrong. Betty Kootnikoff

Penticton