Newmarket considers changes to recreation vehicle parking bylaw

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 27, 2015
Chris Simon

Newmarket may soon loosen the rules regarding the parking of recreational vehicles in residential driveways.

Council recently held a public hearing to review proposed changes to the zoning bylaw, which would permit residents to park campers, boats, personal watercraft and snowmobiles in their driveways for longer periods of time.

The current rules allow a property owner to park one recreational vehicle, less than seven metres long, in his driveway for a maximum of 72 hours in any one calendar month. Recreational vehicles can also be stored inside a garage, carport or side yard, for any length of time, all year long.

However, the proposed change could either see that 72-hour limit upped to four calendar days a month, or replaced by a seasonal parking policy.

“It is not possible to satisfy everyone based on the diverse opinions around this subject matter,” development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer said.

“The challenge is to find a compromise between the needs of the property owner for ready access to his vehicle while respecting the interests of adjacent neighbours for a safe and visually acceptable streetscape.”

A seasonal policy would restrict the type of vehicle that could be parked in a driveway to one that is typically used during that time of the year, he said.

“A snowmobile could be parked on the driveway from November to March and a boat or camper trailer could be parked from April to October,” Noehammer said. This option would require defining summer recreational vehicle and winter recreational vehicle, he said.

Minimum setbacks from curbs and sidewalks would also be included in the amendment, in an effort to address potential sightline issues. Staff will present another report on the matter to council in September or October, Noehammer said.