City Set To Expand Narrow Streets Parking Initiative
The hotly contested one side Narrow Streets parking project has expanded in some neighbourhoods and is set to expand in other neighbourhoods before the end of the month.
The Narrow Streets parking project was launched as a pilot project in 2015 with one side parking on streets narrower than nine meters between Henleaze Avenue and 9th Avenue NW, from Caribou St. to Laurier St.
The project is a safety measure that allows emergency services vehicles (fire trucks, ambulance, etc.) sufficient access to properties on narrow roadways (a “narrow” roadway is defined as being less than nine metres in width).
“The project will help ensure safety for our residents,” Rod Montgomery, Moose Jaw Fire Chief said in a statement.
An area of the City owned boulevard has been bricked over to allow two wheel parking on the 1100 block of 2nd Avenue NW - MJ Independent file photo
“The National Fire Code of Canada states that fire trucks must be able to access one face of residential buildings. The project will allowall emergency services (fire, police and ambulance) to properly access residential properties and our Public Works vehicles also need the room to properly clean and maintain those roadways,” Chief Montgomery said in the statement.
At the present time the following roadways have been already been converted to one-side only parking:
1. 1000 block 3rd Ave NE
2. 1200 block 3rd Ave NE
3. 1300 block 3rd Ave. NE
4. 1000 block Chestnut Ave
5. 1100 block Chestnut Ave
6. 900 block Chestnut Ave
7. 900 block 2nd Ave NE
8. 1000 block Willow Ave
9. 400 block Ross St. W
The affected property owners had requested to be allowed to park two wheels up on the boulevard because they felt it gave sufficient space for emergency vehicles.
One of the presenters, who works at Sask Polytechnic, saw the two wheels up on the boulevard formula as a way to allow more student and staff parking around the institution.
The reason for the suggestion was Sask Polytechnic now charges staff and students for parking that was once free. Narrow street restrictions make it harder to find sufficient parking spaces close to the college Council was told.
Both ideas were voted against by Council.
Damage to the grass on a boulevard from vehicles with two wheels up to give more space on the roadway - MJ Independent file photo
Changes to the following locations will be completed by Friday, September 29 (weather permitting):
10. 800 Blk 3rd Ave NW
11. 900 Blk 3rd Ave NW
12. 1000 Blk 2nd Ave NW
13. 1100 Blk 2nd Ave NW
14. 1100 Blk Redland Ave
15. 1200 Blk Redland Ave
16. 1st leg of 1200 Blk 1st Ave NW
17. 1st leg of 1200 Blk 2nd Ave NW
New signage on the above roadways will be installed and parking will be restricted to the west sides, prohibited on the east sides, and affected property owners were delivered letters from the City of Moose Jaw in advance of the new restrictions.
For further information, visit www.moosejaw.ca/narrowstreets.