Some North Bay residents and members of the independent snow removal business have questioned the viability of North Bay's overnight parking ban.
Overnight on-street parking bans are in effect from Nov. 1 to April 15. The by-law is in place to facilitate snow removal during the winter months.
However, the City of North Bay admits most snow removal done by city plow teams, is done during the day.
"City crews begin plowing daily at 4:30 a.m., focusing on areas typically occupied during the day," explained Gord Young, communications officer with the City of North Bay.
Here are the current rules. Vehicles are prohibited from parking:
- from 3 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the Downtown Improvement Area (DIA);
- from 3 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on blocks containing cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads;
- from 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on all other streets; and,
- on any city street within 12 hours of posting snow removal signs and within 24 hours of a snowfall during the period Nov. 1 to March 31, both inclusive.
The overnight parking of vehicles on any municipal parking lot is prohibited between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m. except for:
- Lot Oak 2 (designated areas only) with purchase of monthly rental pass for overnight winter parking;
- Lot McIntyre 4 (Parking Garage), Levels 1–4, free from 4:30 p.m. until 8 a.m. and on weekends and holidays year-round with no pass or permit required; and,
- areas designated by the parking supervisor.
Young says trying to keep up with Mother Nature every winter has its challenges.
"While we strive to complete most work during regular shifts, winter weather – especially when parked vehicles obstruct full clearing – often requires crews to return in the evening or early morning," he told BayToday in an email.
"Since weather events can be unpredictable, having consistent times when on-street parking is prohibited throughout the winter is essential for our operations."
Bylaw of no bylaw, it seems city crews will likely always have to deal with parked cars that impede the snow removal process.