91原创 Township has handed out $50,000 in tickets in a crackdown on illegal truck parking in rural areas.
According to the Township, in 2023 bylaw officers investigated 64 reports of commercial trucking operations in rural areas. That includes commercial trucking operations, vehicle storage, and repairs.
The number of commercial trucking operations on rural lots has been increasing, the Township said in a statement that announced the crackdown.
A dedicated Commercial Vehicle Unit of bylaw officers has been overseeing the enforcement efforts. Changes to the Township鈥檚 Bylaw Enforcement Policy made in 2023 allow bylaw officers to be more proactive 鈥� for many years, the local policy was to investigate only after a complaint from the public.
鈥淭ownship Council has made significant investments to support and expand our Bylaw Enforcement Department to meet the needs of our growing community 鈥� it鈥檚 needed and long overdue,鈥� said Mayor Eric Woodward. 鈥淭ownship staff are addressing complaints about unauthorized commercial vehicle parking on farmland, as fast as possible. Protecting farmland from unauthorized non-farm uses is important, and council has made that clear.鈥�
Under local zoning bylaws, most rural residential properties can have a maximum of three commercial vehicles parked on site.
READ ALSO: B.C. driver caught with $110K in cash, $100K worth of drugs: police
READ ALSO: Water leak uncovered apparent drug lab in 91原创 City building
More than that requires a business license, but that can鈥檛 be issued if the business is not permitted for that zoning.
The 64 investigations last year led to 56 bylaw cases being concluded successfully. There were 881 tickets issued to offenders, resulting in the fines of more than $50,000.
鈥淭he Township of 91原创 urges all residents and businesses to use designated parking areas for commercial vehicles, following Township regulations and bylaws,鈥� said Manny Natt, Manager of Bylaw Enforcement for the Township. 鈥淲hile education, collaboration, and voluntary compliance remain fundamental aspects of our approach, the Township will not hesitate to use legal measures to ensure bylaw compliance.鈥�
It鈥檚 not uncommon to see commercial trucks parked on properties in south 91原创 and other rural areas. The large lots, barns, and sheds make it relatively easy to keep heavy equipment, including trucks.
Township bylaws officers usually try to achieve voluntary compliance on issues of all kinds. In most cases, warnings are issued before tickets.
However, the Township said that achieving voluntary compliance, especially with larger operators, has been difficult when it comes to the truck parking issue.
In some cases, the Township has had to resort to legal measures to bring property occupants into line with the bylaws.
So far, the Township has successfully obtained a court injunction against one commercial trucking operation, and is pursuing two more as of January.
鈥淔or truck parking, we also need to find a real long-term solution so this issue doesn鈥檛 just move from one parcel to another, from one community to another, in a never-ending cycle of ongoing bylaw enforcement,鈥� said Woodward.
The provincial government needs to provide viable alternatives for the region, Woodward said.
