City may rethink bylaw restricting on-street parking to 36-hour limit

The City of Saskatoon appears headed for reconsideration of the 36-hour, on-street parking limit, but no obvious solution has yet presented itself.

Several councillors expressed a desire at Tuesday’s transportation committee meeting to reconsider the city-wide bylaw that prohibits motorists from parking on streets for longer than 36 hours.

A city report suggests extending the on-street parking limit would cost at least $330,000 more a year and hinder the city’s street sweeping and snow removal operations.

“(The time limit) feels like a blunt instrument, but I don’t know what the solution is,” Coun. Cynthia Block said.

The committee voted unanimously to have city hall administration report back on the implications of extending the parking limit in residential neighbourhoods.

The committee also backed Block’s request to study the possibility of a limited exemption permit for residents.

Coun. Ann Iwanchuk said she had received many complaints from residents in her ward, including some who appear to have been targeted by an enforcement blitz.

“I want people to be able to park their car in front of their house for more than 36 hours — for at least 48 hours,” Iwanchuk said.

Block said the “great majority” of Saskatoon residents are unaware of the time limit.

Angela Gardiner, acting general manager of transportation and utilities, said the limit was lowered from 48 hours in 1997 to allow the city to more efficiently provide services like snow clearing. The time limit also discourages people from abandoning vehicles on the street, she said.

Extending the time limit would also hinder bylaw enforcement, Gardiner said. The same bylaw officer who chalks tires also issues the ticket, so if a ticket is challenged, only one city employee must appear in court, the committee heard.

“From the administration’s perspective, we do believe 36 hours is reasonable,” Gardiner said.

Coun. Randy Donauer said residents also complain to him about vehicles parked in front of their houses for extended periods.