It’s rare that I get two nearly identical story tips within the same 60-minute span, but that’s what happened this week.
And the subject is parking.
The City of Burnaby is working on a plan to expand sidewalks around the city, including one area in North Burnaby that is in the Heights area near Dundas.
I was sent a copy of a letter some of the residents sent to the city opposing a city plan to build new sidewalks on a street that has none. People who walk are basically forced onto the street where traffic runs because vehicles clog up both sides.
As I’ve written before, seeing residents complain about how the city wants to build sidewalks on their street is a new thing for me because I’m used to residents yelling at councils in other cities to add them in their area and being told “no” by politicians.
But Burnaby seems to be really motivated to add new sidewalks. And in return, they get petitions.
One person wrote to me because they rent in the area and can’t believe their neighbours are trying to block the project.
“The reason is because of parking,” said Jake. “So many of these entitled homeowners are worried they will lose parking spots in front of their houses. But it’s too dangerous to even walk down the street here. These people hog all of the parking on the street so a renter like me can’t even find a space.”
Another resident agreed that fears over the loss of parking spots is the motivation. One problem is some of the homeowners have “overstuffed” their own garages so they demand a lot of street parking.
“Residents are upset to be losing the three perpendicular spots they use in front of their homes while their garages are full of stuff instead of cars. They are arguing against sidewalks on a block that leads to a popular trail and has many children going to school, seniors and dog walkers who all have to weave the circus of improperly parked cars while they walk down the roadway.”
The City of Burnaby has made a big push to add more sidewalks and better street lighting.
Council recently approved $5,558,910.53 for road rehabilitation, construction of concrete curbs and sidewalks, and street lighting improvements at the following locations:
- · 12th Avenue from 2nd Street to Newcombe Street;
- · Aubrey Street from Sperling Avenue to Cliff Avenue;
- · Berkley Street from Canada Way to 6th Street;
- · Curragh Avenue from Clinton Street to Neville Street;
- · Gilpin Street from Inman Avenue to Patterson Avenue;
- · Humphries Avenue from Edmonds Street to 16th Avenue;
- · MacDonald Avenue from William Street to Parker Street;
- · Stanley Street from Walker Avenue to Leibley Avenue; and,
- · Stanley Street from Lakeview Avenue to Sperling Avenue.
These neighbourhoods have been begging for sidewalks for years and are finally getting them. But others don’t always feel the same way. Some don’t want the fronts of their yards, especially their lawns, altered with the addition of sidewalks
As an apartment dweller, it’s something I haven’t had to face but call me shocked that some residents don’t want sidewalks.
I’m not judging because I’m not in their shoes, just really surprised.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
