Home owners to city: Get off my lawn!

There was a feisty public meeting in the city’s north end Wednesday night over proposed new parking rules that would prohibit citizens from parking on their front lawns.

There were about 25 people at Northminster United Church on Sunset Blvd. to hear city staff explain the proposed new rules.

Many were unhappy, saying they should be allowed to do whatever they please on their own private property.

Others said citizens shouldn’t be allowed to park wherever they like – especially not on the lawn.

That really irked Brock Grills, one of the more outspoken people at the meeting. He said it was a question of “liberty.”

“What’s the point of private property if you can’t do with it what you please?” he asked fellow citizens and city staff during a question and answer session.

City council is now considering a change to the parking bylaws that would prohibit people from parking on their unpaved front lawns or from paving over their lawns for parking.

The city is thinking about ticketing people $35 for this infraction.

Under the current rules, the city cannot issue tickets on private property. It can only ask you to move your vehicle if a neighbour complains.

Carolyn Kimble, a planner for the city, said the proposed new parking rules have come about in response to complaints heard by city councillors – particularly in Northcrest Ward.

Last year, Coun. Dave Haacke asked city staff to come up with a new set of rules. Now the city is collecting public input before those new rules come before councillors for approval on Sept. 18.

But there’s more to it than simply front-yard parking: Kimble explained that the proposed new rules also prohibit citizens from parking huge vehicles such as an RV or a school bus in the front driveway or on the front lawn, for example. The proposed rules would also restrict you from parking a boat on a trailer in your front yard: such a boat will have to go on the side yard or backyard (and even then, only if you have a four-foot setback to the property line).

Coun. Haacke wasn’t at the meeting on Wednesday, but Coun. Andrew Beamer was there.

He said he was there to listen and he remarked that people were quite engaged and even feisty on Wednesday.

There have been many complaints about parking in his ward, he said – although it’s a problem across the city.

“Parking in general is an issue,” Beamer said.

Grills, 26, said it certainly is at his home: He lives with his brother and parents off Otonabee Dr. in Ashburnham Ward.

What’s the point of private property if you can’t do with it what you please?” Brock Grills

Each of the four family members has a car. They have four parking spots. What do you do when someone visits and decides to stay overnight? Street parking is only allowed for three hours – after that, you risk a $25 ticket.

Grills doesn’t see why he shouldn’t be able to create extra parking at home.

“If I have proper drainage and proper compaction, why shouldn’t I be able to with my property what I want?” he asked.

Meanwhile, north-end resident Dave Wolfe said he likes the proposed new parking rules.

“I think what they’re proposing here is good – however, everyone has their opinion,” he said. “You have to learn to get together.”

NOTE: There’s one last public meeting about the proposed new parking rules at Calvary Pentecostal Church on Lansdowne St. W. on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.