Parking prescription

Dr. Ali Moshaver has a stellar reputation as a physician and for his contributions to our community. His plan for a two-storey medical building at 1498 Leir Street was “sent back to staff” by Penticton City Council last Tuesday.

Let’s hope staff and council can come up with a template that will satisfy the neighbourhood.

Penticton, like every other small community in Canada, needs doctors. There’s a doctor shortage.

His building, to go up directly across the street from Penticton Regional Hospital, can accommodate up to four physicians or specialists (assuming he fills the vacancies.)

At issue is parking. There are only four stalls. Neighbours are concerned that this could lead to added traffic and parking issues.

Dr. Moshaver said the doctors working in his building will have passes to the hospital lot directly across the street and will park there. Patients will be able to park at the soon-to-be-built PRH parking garage for a small fee.

Nearby residents are correct in that some people would walk barefoot across hot coals to avoid paying a twoonie to park. But the Leir Park Residents Association has “resident’s only parking” and enforcement shouldn’t be a problem in the future... Coun. Max Picton will see to it.

Another thing nobody considered is with the issue of green space, the hospital is already using valuable land right across the street to provide parking. If Dr. Moshaver was to put 10 stalls on his property that would be a complete duplication of services. Penticton doesn’t need more paving.

Council hasn’t shut the door on the project but they also didn’t give the doctor a green light. Council voted 4-2 in sending it to staff for further review. Picton and Helena Konanz voted against the motion.

Council’s problem here seems to be with consistency. They regularly approve housing developments that don’t have the required parking but then give a (perhaps temporary) thumb’s down to a doctor’s office.

Consistency seems to be one of council’s problems.