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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 11m

So many owners male these illegal modifications right before selling the property, leaving the buyer with the fines and remediation costs when they're found out.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 33m

Except what has happened time and time again, is that when the city rolls up to do work, the residents complain and the city reinstates all their illegal parking spaces rather than deal with the hassle.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 38m

The city thinks the solution is to license landscapers so that they're aware of the By-laws. I'm not so sure that's going to work. I guess they're just unaware that they can't park on the sidewalk either, right?

If only we licensed drivers, they would certainly follow the rules.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 42m

The city put out a memo a couple back saying they won't enforce anything pre-2007 because of how much work it is to determine if they're grandfathered in from pre-1965, but even still they can't keep up with enforcement of even newer violations.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 44m

But like what has been happening lately, the city can't keep up with enforcement of illegal front yard parking spaces, even though they've been illegal since 1965. They want to formally legalize everything older than 2007, simply to deal with the backlog and complexity of enforcement.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 48m

The new zoning by-law allows front yard parking where it's the ONLY parking space on the property, and there's no garage..This is good, because it means they can build homes with more living space and still include a parking spot. Garages aren't required to have a single parking space.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 49m

And more parking spaces means more cars. We know the negative effects of having so many cars in the city. Perhaps simply limiting parking limits those negative effects. This city simply dedicates far too much land to car storage as it is already.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 52m

Then there's the issue of trees, water run off, flooding, urban heat islands, esthetics even, gardens. What I'm getting at is that these parking spaces are not greenspace. Even if they're private properties, people can't pave over their entire properties without that affecting everyone else nearby.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 54m

What I'm getting at is that what people do on their own property in this case has an effect on public property and other people, so the city should be able to set rules on what's allowed.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 55m

The more front parking spaces there are, the more of these private access points you need to have, and each one involves a curb cut, or a dipped or sloped side walk, or a break in a protected cycle-lane, or a bumpy cycle track. Also another conflict point with cars crossing sidewalks and bike lanes

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 55m

Also, a parking space is not only a parking space, if done though the proper legal process, or grandfathered in, it also includes a private approach, which is an easement or right of way across the city's land to your property. An almost privatization of public land.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 58m

Someone said to me, what's the reason for not allowing people to park where they want on their property?

Well, in many cases, they're not parking on their own property, it's city property. So in those cases, I think it's reasonable that the city gets to set the rules.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 1h

Is ridiculous that it's up to citizens to report these properties. The By-law officer said "someones driving around and reporting every property violation they come across" as though that's a problem. This person is doing By-law's job for free. Why isn't By-law driving around proactively enforcing?

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 1h

I head again today from Ottawa By-law, they're no longer accepting reports for illegal driveway expansions or hardscaping or front yard parking. Apparently there are only 4 officers for these zoning issues and there are far too many reports than they can keep up with. They need more resources.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 11h

The RCMP officer got in contact with the driver of the truck this morning. The officer told me that the driver said he thought he had given me enough room when passing. 🤨

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 23h

Way closer in person even . The wide angle lens makes it seem further away.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 1d

Yes. I've already contacted the RCMP.

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 1d

Close-passed by a transport truck this morning, which by the way, isn't even allowed to use this road (NCC Driveway - no commercial vehicles).

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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 1d

Does anyone actually prefer the signalized crossing on Bay Street at Gladstone over the stop sign and PXO at Somerset?

I've spent over 3 minutes waiting at this intersection before. It seems most people prefer to just look both ways and cross against the light.