In a perfect world, there would be no restrictions on parking for the handicapped. There are enough challenges in the world for people with disabilities without them having to worry about any overly picky parking police.
And that’s basically what exists now in downtown Vancouver. Drivers with handicap parking permits are allowed unrestricted parking (except in reserved spaces) without having to pay parking meters. It has been a wonderful policy, but reality dictates the need for a change. As Andrea Damewood reported in Tuesday’s Columbian, several downtown merchants have complained that handicapped drivers have parked cars in front of stores for days or even weeks.
This is an obvious abuse of the intent of the policy. Although we are inclined to ferociously defend the parking rights of the handicapped, business owners have rights, too. And during the extended ravages of this economic crisis, the merchants need all the help they can get.
Vancouver city officials are considering a change in the policy that would allow those with handicap permits to park free for a maximum of four hours. Thereafter, each would be fined $15 for an expired meter, with fines doubling after 30 days.
This seems fair for several reasons:
Abundant preparation and public outreach would precede the change in policy, which essentially would be phased in. Warnings would be issued for a short time, and the parking spots would be clearly marked as four-hour maximum free parking for those with handicap parking permits.
Also, city councilors agreed to move the ordinance to a public hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Additionally, the city will explore ways to implement discounted parking for seniors in city lots.
Four hours seems like a reasonable amount of time for handicapped drivers to complete most visits downtown. This would be in compliance with a state law that requires a minimum four hours of free parking for those with handicap permits.
Other cities have felt the necessity to make this change. Spokane and Bremerton, among others, have placed four-hour time limits on handicapped parking. Again, that’s regrettable, but it’s necessary to protect the interests of business owners who deserve to have parking spaces used properly.
And speaking of merchants, they need the help this policy change would provide. Parking spaces in front of businesses are for customers. The best way to expand the customer base is to churn the customers, and merchants can’t do that effectively when parking policies are abused.
One survey in Vancouver revealed 13 meters occupied by vehicles parked long-term with handicap permits in just one block, on Seventh Street just west of Broadway. In some cases, downtown residents were using the spaces for permanent parking. Damewood quoted Assistant City Attorney Alison Chinn: “They have (cars), but they don’t drive them or use them. That’s not a good use of the city right of way.”
The area in which the new policy would apply is bounded by Fourth Plain Boulevard, the Columbia River, Lincoln Avenue on the west and Interstate 5 on the east.
Last but not least is the largest group of stakeholders: the taxpayers. They would be better served by a more efficient — while still fair — use of public parking spaces.
