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Warfield parking bylaws up for review

In light of snow build up and need for plowing in front of businesses, the new amendment would end long-term parking.

Warfield’s parking bylaws are up for review after pleas from a local business owner at the village’s most recent council meeting.

A draft of an amendment to the current bylaws was proposed Wednesday after Frances Lloyd of the Cornerstone Café and Deli told councillors the way the business district parking lot was plowed limited customer access to her business. Cars parked long-term in the lot were preventing plows from removing all of the snow.

“On Monday, it was down to two cleared parking spots,” she told council. “I just want to know what protocol is, what they plow first, and if they can come and just tell the people to move their vehicles so all that can be plowed out.

“It would probably take 10 minutes. It is now the third day and there are still a couple of cars that haven’t moved. What is the bylaw?”

Currently, the Warfield bylaw states that parking is limited to 24 hours in that area, but generally isn’t enforced.

Councillors discussed different options for ensuring snow removal and what to do about vehicles that were parked in spots for days, allowing snow to accumulate.

“Past practice isn’t always best practice,” said Mayor Ted Pahl.

It was Councillor Shane Ferraro who initially proposed limiting parking hours during the day to keep parking spots open and available to plow.

“Make it between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., two or three-hour parking, on that whole block from the Kootenay Savings down to Frances’ at the Cornerstone,” he said. “I think that would solve a lot of problems. We want to make sure that all the customers can get in there and go have a coffee, or go to the liquor store or whatever.”

It was ultimately decided that between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., parking on that block would be limited to two hours.

Enforcing the bylaw amendments was the next issue. Warfield has a contract with the Commissionaires to patrol just a few hours a week.

“Can we get (the Commissionaire) to work 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week for a little while,” asked Mayor Pahl. “It would be better than a couple hours a week randomly.”

It was decided to contact the Commissionaires to ask about more hours to enforce the new bylaw amendments.

After the discussion about long-term solutions, Lloyd wanted to know what could be done about the snow removal in the lot over next few days – a quick fix.

Councillors decided to put out signs, already owned by the village, as soon as possible, and the snow would be removed by the end of the week.

“We have the signs and we can call whoever is on call tonight and get them out there,” said Mayor Pahl.

The discussion finished with council asking Chief Administrative Officer Vince Morelli to draft an amendment to the current parking bylaw and contact Public Works to put out plowing notification signs.