A group of seniors are unhappy with a city decision to limit on-street parking outside their homes.
On Monday Barney Skakun presented city staff with a petition signed by all 50 residents living in the seniors' row housing at 1010 Liard Drive.
Last week, the city installed signage on the west side of the road restricting on-street parking to a two-hour limit from April to October. During the winter months, parking on that side of the street will be completely prohibited.
Skakun - father of city councillor Brian Skakun - said residents were upset because those with limited mobility couldn't always make it from their front door to the parking lot where there wasn't necessarily enough spaces for everyone.
"The city of Prince George is not senior friendly," he said. "I know that's a bold statement."
But city transportation engineering supervisor Heather Andreychuck said the change was prompted by complaints collected over the past 18 months about the congestion on the road with cars parked on both sides - particularly during the winter months.
"What's happening is vehicles were parking there all day long. And our street crews, they've reported difficulty getting in to move the snow and, of course, it gets congested," Andreychuck said.
Skakun said he could understand the winter restrictions, but that the rest wasn't right. "There's no snow removal between April and October," he said, also suggesting drivers should navigate the narrow street at a slower speed.
"I think the people that were complaining are people that are just impatient, trying to get through there too fast," he said.
One of his concerns is that if someone parks their car in front of their house overnight and needs to leave in an emergency situation, they may get outside to find their vehicle has been ticketed and towed.
Andreychuck said there is room for about 18 vehicles to park on the east side of the street between Garvin Street and Rainbow Street. That is in accordance with the city's bylaws, restricting parking to 24 continuous hours.
But the east side is less popular for parking because it has fire hydrants and yellow no-parking curbs, Skakan said.
He also took his concerns to the Prince George Council of Seniors, who he said were going to address the issue at their general meeting.
"They cater to everybody but us old people," Skakun said.
