It’s been almost a month since the City of North Vancouver introduced paid parking along Lonsdale Avenue, and the reaction from small business owners remains mixed.
Since September 17, the city has been implementing its ‘Curb Access & Parking Plan,’ starting with the enforcement of paid parking in the bustling Lower Lonsdale area.
Hedy Sadaghiani, a local hairdresser and business owner, has witnessed firsthand the impact of this change on her elderly clientele, describing it as causing “sheer panic.”
Many of her customers, she explains, are not equipped with smartphones to use the parking payment app, leading to challenges in adapting to the new system. To support them, Sadaghiani has had to step in to help navigate the process, even covering parking fees for some clients to ensure they can still access her services.
While some adjustments have been necessary for both businesses and customers, the city’s transportation director, Jennifer Draper, notes that the transition has generally been smooth. Draper acknowledges that there has been a learning curve for residents in using the new technology and pay stations.
To assist those struggling with the changes, the city has deployed ‘parking ambassadors’ and is closely monitoring the situation to address any issues that may arise.
Although the city maintains that the initiative aims to alleviate parking challenges in the area, Sadaghiani and some other business owners feel it is more about generating revenue than improving the parking situation.