Red Deer resident Kevin Latimer brought forward an idea to council regarding angle parking versus parallel parking in cul-de-sacs at Monday’s council meeting.

“If I parallel park in front of my house I have one spot. I’ve driven in some days with everybody parallel parked and it’s very tight,” said Latimer.

Council explored the idea of the different styles of parking in cul-de-sacs and some council members feel very strongly one way or another.

“This is an issue we need to address,” said Councillor Tara Veer.

Public Works Manager Frank Colosimo was in attendance at the meeting and said there are many factors that go into whether angle parking would be conducive in individual cul-de-sacs.

“Whether they have garbage pick up in the front or the back could be compared. I do agree that there is not enough off-street parking and sometimes there are multifamily units with no parking in front,” said Colosimo.

The issue is one that public works hears about a lot and Colosimo said it is one item that comes back every two to three years. It was last discussed in the summer of 2009.

One issue that council has to evaluate is the fact that the City currently has a practice of piling plowed snow in the middle of cul-de-sacs.

“One big concern is the snow piling. It increases the potential for kids playing on these mountains and falling off. We open ourselves up a fair bit to liability,” said Councillor Chris Stephan.

Latimer’s specific request was for angle parking signage at the end of his close in Clearview to allow for more room on the narrow part of the close.

“If there’s a snow pile we just wouldn’t angle park. Some neighbours want angle parking, some want parallel,” said Latimer.

One issue that Colosimo brought up was that of emergency vehicles being able to get in and out of closes. With the snow piles Colosimo said it is hard enough as it is to get in, let alone if vehicles are angle parked.

“I don’t agree with some of the issues including the emergency vehicles. We don’t even have a fire hydrant in our close, it’s on the street,” said Latimer.

Councillor Paul Harris said he has almost always lived on a cul-de-sac and thinks the recommendation does need to come back to council for consideration.

“There is something wrong if it keeps coming back up so we can quit pestering our citizens about something so trivial.”

Latimer’s request for signage was denied but council agreed to bring back the issue of angle parking in cul-de-sacs for consideration by Aug. 20.

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com