Petition to the City of Edmonton Transportation Planning Department Re: the On-street Bike Lane and Proposed 76th Avenue Parking Ban)

 

Cause of Petition: Proposed Bicycle Lanes No Parking plan in Ritchie along 76th Avenue   Details of Lead Petitioners Name: Andrew Schatzke and Linda Bochek Address: 9830 76th Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6E 1K5 Home Telephone: (780) 436-6707 Mobile: (780) 906-8075 E-mail: ldbochek@shaw.ca ; andysfirebirds@me.com   We, the undersigned, want the Cityof Edmonton Transportation Planning Department to: Reconsider and revise the current proposed plan to implement a permanent parking ban along 76th avenue to accommodate bicyclists, as it would create undue hardship for residents, churches and businesses on 76th avenue and surrounding area. -There is already a shortage of parking in the neighbourhood, due to parking restrictions and the relatively high density nature of the area. Thereis no extra space to park. Thiswould create potential safety concerns, as well as inconvenience and hardship for residents and businesses and the churches along 76th avenue. -The ban on parking would cause undue and unfair hardship on seniors and others with limited mobility who reside along 76th avenue, or whose family support lives on 76th avenue, and who require ease and safety of access to the front doors, particularly in inclement weather conditions. -The ban on parking would cause undue hardship on young families with children who require ease of access to their front doors for reasons of safety. -The street is wide enough to accommodate cyclists and motor vehicles as it is. There are few cyclists on this street. Most seem to take other routes, such as the nearby Mill Creek Ravine, which is more direct to downtown for example. Parking restrictions will significantly inconvenience and cause safety issues for the many to benefit the few. -Property values might well decrease given the loss of parking in front of homes and businesses. -There are two churches on 98th street and 76th avenue. Where will church goers park given that they completely take up the streets and avenues adjacent on Sundays and occasionally upon other days as well? This is already a burden for residents and their families trying to find parking at these times.     Therefore, your petitioners request that theCity of Edmonton Transportation Planning Department ameliorate the current proposed plan to ban parking along 76th Avenue inthe Ritchie area to allow parking to continue as is.