Parking, fines going up

Wayne Moore - CASTANET Nov 14, 2015 / 6:00 am
It could cost you more to park in City of Kelowna owned parking lots in the new year. A proposed new fee and fine structure also means it would cost drivers more if they are ticketed for parking illegally. The new structure will go before city council for approval Monday. According to a report, daily parking rates would increase from $5 to $6, monthly from between $53-$66 to $62-$77 and reserved parking from $99/month to $116/month. Hourly rates will remain at $1/hour while on-street parking will stay at $1.25/hour. Fines are also expected to rise. Currently, parking outside a metered space and parking in the same block for more than two hours results in a $10 fine which is reduced to $5 if paid within 14 days. Those fines are proposed to rise to $20, reduced to $15 if paid within 14 days. Also, there may not be as much of a reduction for drivers who pay early after being fined for off-street parking without a pass, parking at an expired meter or parking at an expired meter-dispenser is expected to change. At the present time, the $30 ticket is reduced to $10 if paid within 14 days. It is proposed that reduction would be changed from $10 to $20. The price for accessible parking permits would increase from $10.50 to $20. "A minimum of two months notice would be provided by email or regular mail to all monthly parking customers prior to any rate changes taking affect," said parking services manager Dave Duncan. "This notice would allow adequate time for customers to relocate or make other arrangements, if desired." If approved by council, the new rates would likely be implemented Feb. 1, 2016. The changes are being recommended to bring parking rates in line with transit fares. A council resolution, adopted in 2001, seeks to 'establish a minimum monthly parking rate set at 10 per cent greater than an adult monthly transit pass.' The monthly adult transit pass increased to $70 in September. When council approved new transit fares in the spring, it was noted those new fares would trigger a review of base parking rates. "Active management of both supply of various types of parking and pricing can serve to discourage single-occupant vehicles and encourage other ways to commute, such as car pooling, cycling, walking and transit," said Duncan in his report.
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4.3 Parking Rate, Fine and Fee Adjustments P181 - 215