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Wendy Miko says the longstanding practice of Hastings-Sunrise residents selling backyard parking during the PNE and other events is "under siege."
"The longstanding tradition of residential backyard parking in our neighbourhood of Hastings-Sunrise is currently under siege by the city of Vancouver in preparation for the 2010 Olympics," Miko wrote on a petition she started in support of residential backyard parking.
"They're going to use us for one more year," she said of enforcement beginning Sept. 13 after the PNE ends.
The city says it's clamping down on residents selling parking in response to neighbours' complaints about the increased year-round disruption as events at the PNE have increased. They've also expressed concerns about pedestrian safety.
During the PNE, Aug. 16 to Sept. 1, the city has placed temporary signs limiting nearby blocks to parking for residents. According to a letter the city sent to area residents, the signs are intended to deter PNE visitors from parking in front of their homes.
But Miko says this measure inconveniences family and friends. "Basically what they're doing is just harassing us," she said.
Miko, a teacher's assistant who doesn't work during the summer months, made extra cash over the past five years she's lived on Pender across from a PNE parking lot by parking her car on the street and selling three spaces in the back of her property for $7 a day on a rainy day or $20 on a busy, sunny one. PNE parking costs $15 a day. Pensioners in her neighbourhood rely on the extra income from selling parking, she said.
Miko sees residents selling parking as both a service to the PNE, which has admitted it doesn't have enough parking to accommodate all of the visiting vehicles on fair weekends, and a perk for those who have put up with the noise from visitors to Fright Nights, Hastings Racecourse, hockey and the PNE.
The PNE says it's working on a park-and-ride scheme for next year, but Miko argues visitors like to park on residents' property because their cars are safer there.
"You know they [say], 'Oh, we've only had six cars stolen from the lot since we did this bait car program.' Guess what, we've had none stolen from our driveway," she said.
The letter sent to residents informed them they needed a business licence from the city to sell parking on their property.
But last week, Barb Windsor, the city's deputy chief licence inspector, told the Courier the city won't issue new business licences, so residents will be able to rent out only one space. The city will inspect properties when it receives complaints. Anyone selling more spaces than permitted could face a fine of $250 for each extra vehicle.
People waving signs and calling out to the public to advertise backyard spots will no longer be tolerated after mid-September. Those who impede traffic could face a $500 fine.
Miko waves a sign to advertise her spots, as do Chinese-Canadian residents of her neighbourhood. She believes racism is partly responsible for other residents' opposition to the soliciting. She sees the apparent focus on the advertising as proof the crackdown is about making the city look good to international guests during the Games.
Parks board commissioner Allan De Genova, whom Miko contacted, believes 300 to 400 parking spots, with one level underground, should be considered near the Racecourse, casino and Coliseum. At the same time, he wants the greening of Hastings Park to continue.
Laura Ballance, PNE spokesperson, said added parking could come out of consultations the city is doing with the community.
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