Parking bylaw violators be warned: the District of Squamish is on an awareness campaign, and the town may soon see tickets issued or vehicles towed.
District bylaw enforcement officers are now targeting vehicles that park for excessive periods of time along Cleveland Ave. and Second Ave. and those who park on bike paths.
"We've been increasing the educational program in the last week or so," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "It's the time of year, when the snow is gone, to start creating awareness."
Downtown business owners have long complained that people violating two-hour parking limits hurt their bottom line. Weekend downtown visitors will commonly find that parking along the busiest section of Cleveland Avenue is a rarity, and shop-owners say it drives potential customers away.
Biking enthusiasts have also complained to council of vehicles parking on the Valley Trail along Highway 99."That's an initiative [the late councillor] Ray Peters began," said Sutherland. "He was concerned for bikers' safety."
Bylaw officers are currently placing warning tickets on cars to explain the bylaws and remind them that they have overstayed their welcome, or they're causing a potential hazard by blocking a bike trail.
The enforcement officers are also empowered to issue $50 tickets to parking violators, but it's rarely done.
"There are challenges to that, there's always a good and bad to the enforcement of it," said Sutherland. "But the step right now is education and we'll see what that does."
Residents and employees along the busiest section of Cleveland Avenue have expressed frustration with the lack of long-term parking options in the downtown.
Sutherland reminded the community that free, long-term parking is available on municipally owned property at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Victoria Street.
