Information About Parking Restrictions

Written by Thomas Smekal

Saturday, 06 March 2010 14:13

This information is collected from anecdotal accounts of 26 Street residents. As more information becomes available, I will post updates and links.

Contrary to what many believe, when it comes to installing parking restriction signs, the initiative must come from residents. The community association does not get involved in these affairs.

Some of the rules:

Each side of each block must petition the City separately. If you live on a corner, one petition covers only one side (exceptions do exist, so inquire).

Residents of each affected stretch must agree on the type of restriction they want installed. In the case of our community, two solutions are recommended: Restricted hourly parking and Residential permit parking.

To get the process started, please call 311 and not the transportation department.

Restricted Hourly Parking

This type of restriction is time based, so anyone can park in the area for the number of hours posted on the sign. Residents receive permits for unlimited parking. While this type of restriction is designed to prevent commuters from parking for some 9 hours a day, it is abused more frequently in residential areas because it is more difficult to police it. Enforcement officers would mark the tires of parked vehicles and return the posted number of hours later to check for violators. I assume that residents could call for enforcement, but overall, this solution is less desirable in residential areas. On the other hand, businesses with visitors would welcome this solution more, as they would not need to deal with permits for visitors.

Residential Permit Parking

This type of restriction is entitlement based - only vehicles with a dosplayed permit matching the code on the sings can park in the area. It is by far more restrictive and is designed to completely prevent commuter parking and also practically guarantees a parking spot for all vehicles on the block. Residents receive a permit for each of the vehicles registered at that address, plus two visitor parmits per address and also permits for business vehicles operated by residents.

Common Features

Both types of restrictions make allowance for special gatherings (e.e. birthday parties) - all you need to do is call 311 and let parking enforcement know of the function and they will not ticket vehicles without permits.

Permits are renewable annually, but you do not need to apply or pick up in person. You can mail or fax in your application and the permits arrive in the mail.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:12 )

Comments (4)

i live at 1707 26 st sw directly across from the a. f. school. previous years sidewalk modification (outcrops at the corner of the block), which was completed without me being informed or my input (most likely due to my ignorance), seemed to have been intended to provide a safer crossing for pupils and parents. in the process our block lost 2 - 3, desperately needed, parking spots. however, this modification does not affect the speed at which vehicles can drive through this area; even though it is a playground zone. to this end, i would like to propose, if not done so already, the installation of speed bumps, in the playground zone of 26. st, similar to those on 14. ave. not only would the safety of school users improved but also the safety of park and community hall users.
finally, parking permits might be the only solution to insure parking in front of our homes, which is almost impossible during drop off, pick up and parent teacher meeting times.

While distributing the short flyer about parking restrictions, all residents who were at home at the time responded positively - all want restrictions. All email responses received thus far are also very positive.
According to Roads Calgary the affected stretches will include at least some portion behind the corner of 26 Street on 14 Avenue, so we are in the process of contacting those residents as well.

Thanks for commenting Paul.
I think we all noticed the deteriorating conditions - and these are not limited to 26 Street. It would have been nice if the city offered a blanket solution to all residents impacted, as it takes unnecessary effort on each block to have the restrictions implemented.
I really hope that this current effort will show a good example to all and we are certainly willing to help out others who are planning to do something about parking.

Even before the Lrt construction began, we had noticed alot of drivers parking on 26th to catch buses to go to the downtown. Now I agree that it will become even worse and something should be done. I like the permit pass option as it makes it alot fairer to us who live and have to (want to) park in front of our homes, not have to find a spot 3 or 4 houses away because of these free parkers.

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