26th Street Resident Exempt Parking Area Project
Introduction
A Resident Exempt Parking Area (REPA) is an on-street parking program that is intended to improve parking opportunities for residents, while balancing the needs of all users.
- The REPA on 26th Street and some adjacent side-streets will launch on July 18, 2022 (Monday).
- Permit sales will launch on July 11, 2022 (Monday).
How to Purchase a Permit
Where to purchase:
REPA Permits can be purchased at the Community Services Building (the old library building at 3001 32nd Avenue) during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except statutory holidays).
Permit details:
Resident Permits | Local Business Permits | Service Vehicles Permits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Residents that live within the REPA boundary. | Businesses that are located within the REPA boundary. | Any business with a business license eligible in Vernon. Only eligible to use the permit when the service vehicle is actively working within the REPA boundary while the permit is displayed (e.g. roofing, construction, plumbing, etc.). |
| Maximum Number that can be Purchased | 2 per dwelling Can only be used for the vehicle it was registered to. | 3 per business Transferrable between employees of the business. | 2 per business Can only be used for the vehicle it was registered to. |
| Fees | $12.50 each Valid for the year the permit was purchased | $120 each Valid for the year the permit was purchased | $120 each Valid for the year the permit was purchased |
| What to Bring when Applying | 1. One piece of ID showing your address within the REPA boundary. 2. ICBC vehicle registration for each vehicle. | 1. Business license showing business' name and address. | 1. Business license showing business' name and address. 2. ICBC vehicle registration for each service vehicle. |
The REPA permit must be displayed hanging on the vehicle's rear view mirror. Vehicles without an eligible permit hanging on their rear view mirror may be ticketed if parked longer that timed parking restrictions or contrary to Traffic Bylaw #5600.
Background
26th Street experiences parking congestion from commuters, employees, and visitors of nearby businesses. Residents of 26th Street approached the City of Vernon to request that a REPA be implemented. In October 2020, the City completed a parking assessment and a survey of residents, at which time it was determined that the observed parking congestion and level of resident support warranted a REPA.
OCTOBER 2020 SURVEY RESULTS:
The City circulated a survey to 26th Street residents in October 2020 to confirm there was enough support for the program. The City received responses from more than 50% of residential dwellings and more than 67% supported a REPA, which meant there was sufficient support.
Common concerns we heard from residents through the survey:
- Narrow road width after snowfalls
- Some of the four hour parking zones should be two hour parking
- Possible parking spillover into adjacent streets
- Permit fees
We hope this site will help address some of the above noted questions (please check the FAQ tab below).
SPRING 2021 SURVEY RESULTS:
The City circulated an additional survey to 26th Street residents in spring 2021 to gather feedback on the specifics of the proposed parking layout (2 hour parking and 4 hour parking zones).
One concern raised by residents was the request to change proposed 4 hour parking zones in the north end and south ends of the project to 2 hour parking. There was not enough responses to warrant a change at this time. The 4 hour parking areas will still be implemented, but the City will continue to monitor parking behaviours in the area to determine if these areas should be 2 hours instead. Reasoning for implementing 4 hour parking was to supply parking for all road users and reduce impacts to residents' and local businesses' visitors.
Some of the layout was changed from the previously shared layout, including:
- No new parking regulations on 35th Avenue (between 26th St and 25th St)
- No new parking regulations on 25th Avenue or on 26th Street, south of 25th Avenue.
The City will monitor parking in the area and make adjustments to extend the area as needed.
Feedback
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Manager, Ellen Croy, at ecroy@vernon.ca.
Final REPA Parking Layout
This is the proposed REPA parking time limits.
- RED means 2 hour parking (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday)
- ORANGE means 4 hour parking (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday)
- BLUE means properties eligible to purchase permits (resident or local business permits)
Who's Listening
-
Email ecroy@vernon.ca