The city of vancouver is planning to control parking around the new Canada Line stops in marpole by imposing restrictions and charging a fee for parking spots.  Here is the article by Cheryl Rossi at the Vancouver Courier about the city's plans.

 

City's upcoming open houses to target 'Canada Line' parking
City may prohibit non-resident parking near stations
 
Cheryl Rossi
Vancouver Courier

Friday, November 21, 2008

The city wants to nip clashes between commuters and neighbours of Canada Line stations in the bud.

That's why it's holding open houses on residential parking near Canada Line stations along Cambie Street, starting this weekend. The city wants to know what those who live within 400 metres--or a five-minute walk--of a Canada Line station think about its plans and hear whether any unique aspects of the station areas should be considered.

"We have learned from other rapid transit stations in the city that rapid transit stations can attract people to drive to the station and park in the neighbourhood and hop on the rapid transit," said Carli Edwards, parking management engineer with the city.

The city proposes erecting resident-only parking signs in single-family areas. The signs would prohibit parking except for those who live on specific blocks. Residents wouldn't have pay for annual parking permits. Edwards said it would be up to neighbours to communicate with one another about visitors and service vehicles. Neighbours can phone parking enforcement to report vehicles that don't belong.

For areas with a mix of single-family homes, multi-family dwellings and businesses, the city proposes permit parking. Residents would have to present their identification and prove their car is registered to an address in that area in order to receive a permit.

The city currently charges $30 to $60 annually for parking permits. Residents of the West End pay $60 because parking is at a premium there and the subsequent demands on parking enforcement are great. Edwards expects permit-parking rates around the Canada Line Stations to be less than $60, but says city council will have the final say.

The first consultation, on Nov. 22, is about the King Edward Station. The city hopes to draw residents from roughly West 21st to 29th avenues, between Columbia and Heather streets. It runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Douglas Park Community Centre, 801 West 22nd Ave.

The second consultation, on Nov. 25, concerns the Marine Drive Station. It will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, 990 West 59th Ave.

The final consultation concerns the 41st and 49th avenue stations, and is on Dec. 1 at the St. John Ambulance Centre, 6111 Cambie St.

City staff will present participants with maps and information boards, answer questions and collect a structured feedback form.

Neighbours who can't make meetings can respond to information the city will post on its website, www.vancouver.ca, following each open house.

Edwards expects parking plans to be finalized in the spring.

The Canada Line is slated to open on or before Nov. 30, 2009. Construction is currently ahead of schedule. Ridership is expected to be 100,000 people per day with fairly balanced north-south traffic.

Alan Dever, director of communications for the Canada Line, says 85 to 90 per cent of riders are expected to travel north-south on the Vancouver-to-Richmond line, with only 10 to 15 per cent of passengers travelling on the branch line to the airport.

The station near West Broadway and city hall is expected to be one of the busiest, Dever said.

To accommodate those who drive from southern suburbs of Vancouver, a parkade is being constructed near the Bridgeport Station at the River Rock Casino Resort. It will have 1,200 spots dedicated to park-and-ride transit users from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. These spots are proposed to cost $2 a day. Spaces will also be available to transit users during off-peak hours.

A significant bus loop will serve the Marine Drive Station, with bus loops also at the Bridgeport and Richmond-Brighouse stations.