A bylaw set out to regulate the conditions and costs under which private property owners could have vehicles towed was put on blocks Monday night.
Following a public hearing on the new legislation, council unanimously voted to kill the bylaw after hearing from private property owners and tow company operators that it was deeply flawed.
Robert Hillhouse of Majestic Management said he had to apologize to city administration and council for his role in instigating the bylaw, which he believed would be necessary to combat the potential influx of drivers looking for other accommodations when the city was on track to reinstate paid on-street parking.
"I don't see the need for this bylaw at this time," Hillhouse said.
Among the issues brought up during the public hearing with the bylaw was that the tow and impound fees would be capped at the ICBC rates.
But those are rates that are cheaper than what the city charges and not enough to cover the costs for what's not always a guaranteed tow, said Michael Karpes, owner of Five Star Towing. With an ICBC call, it's a vehicle that's undriveable, which means he gets compensated for towing into and out of his lot as well as the storage costs, he explained. With a private client, the offending vehicle might not even be there by the time the truck arrives.
Public safety director Rob Whitwham said the ICBC rate was selected for its ease of administration, as it is regularly reviewed by the Crown corporation and it wouldn't require the city to constantly have to amend its legislation. The city is also about to start a request for proposal process for towing, and could tie the two rates together, he said.
Signage requirements were also said to be too onerous as were the paperwork stipulations.
"This is a perfect example of why we have more than one reading of a bylaw," said Coun. Lyn Hall, who said he couldn't get his head wrapped around its necessity after hearing from the public.
