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MattersPublic SafetyFirst seen Dec 21, 2022Last discussed Dec 5, 2023

Public spaces bylaw amendments

Proposed changes concerned the city’s parks and traffic rules, including public-space regulations. Public input raised concerns about unhoused people and where overnight camping should be permitted; the available record does not detail the specific changes.

Where it stands: Amendments considered Nov 21, 2023; no decision is recorded.

Background

Earlier and later steps of the same initiative.

  1. Nov 21, 2023 – Dec 5, 2023

    Park regulations amendment

    The amendment changes the city’s parks regulations and enforcement rules, in line with earlier direction on public-space rules and camping restrictions. The available record does not specify the detailed changes residents must follow.

Timeline

Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.

  1. December 5, 2023·Public comment
    • Mike Wignell (Sullivan Road)Mixed · Bistro, fire engine, and parks bylaws
      Supports the bistro expansion and fire-engine donation, but questions whether park-hour changes help and urges humane facilities and services for unhoused residents.
    • Lisa Foxhall (Players Drive)Concerned · Parks bylaws and encampments
      Raises concerns about downtown safety and asks council for a substantive response to encampments rather than a bylaw-enforcement stopgap.
    • Sandy Seifert (Walford Road)Asks · Parks bylaw 177
      Requests a concrete long-term response to park encampments and an update on the park-naming bylaw.
    • Mickey Audison (Machosen Road)Asks · Parks bylaw 177
      Requests a temporary halt to confiscating shelter and belongings during extreme-weather events and urges council to follow relevant housing and encampment guidance.
    • Kyle Volikovsky (Walford Road) · Agenda item 11.1
      Offers to answer council questions about agenda item 11.1.
    • Dave A. (Nicholas Drive)Asks · Parks bylaws and encampments
      Requests bathrooms, running water, regional support, and a long-term plan instead of earlier park clearings.

  2. November 21, 2023· Council

    City considers parks and traffic rule changes for public spaces

    Council considered amendments to the Municipal Parks Regulation and Traffic and Highways bylaws; public input included concerns about unhoused persons and where overnight camping should be permitted.

  3. November 21, 2023·Public comment
    • Wendy Hobbes (Luxton Road)Asks · Strategic plan and other agenda items
      Asks council to hold a town hall on the strategic plan and strengthen public engagement across several agenda items.
    • M. Wignell (Selwyn Road)Concerned · Public spaces bylaw
      Warns proposed sheltering rules will not address impacts on nearby businesses and residents, and suggests toilets or alternative shelter arrangements.
    • Barb Pretty (Massey Drive)Concerned · Danbrook Park sheltering
      Describes ongoing safety and quality-of-life impacts near Danbrook Park and argues bylaw changes or added bylaw officers will not resolve them.
    • M. Barry (Massey Drive)Asks · Strategic plan and parks bylaw
      Asks council to move ahead with the strategic plan and consider nearby ground-floor residences when setting shelter locations.
    • L. Plomp (Winfield Drive)Supports · Park dedication and other agenda items
      Supports a natural pocket park, CRD borrowing for the RCMP facility, proposed sheltering changes, strategic-plan outreach, and lane-use fees.
    • Norman Joel (Langford)Asks · RCMP facility and public-space enforcement
      Asks council to direct resources to RCMP rather than bylaw officers and to stop delaying the RCMP facility project.
    • Lisa FoxhallMixed · RCMP facility and public spaces bylaw
      Supports the RCMP facility and calls the proposed bylaw staffing a band-aid, advocating police officers to address neighborhood safety concerns.
    • Nicholas Joel (Walford Place)Concerned · RCMP staffing
      Raises concerns about community safety and asks whether council requested additional RCMP officers from Ottawa on schedule.
    • S. Plank (Goldstream Avenue)Mixed · RCMP borrowing, lane closure, and strategic plan
      Supports CRD borrowing and renter priorities, seeks a shorter lane closure, and asks council to reframe homelessness and improve public engagement.
    • B. King (Langford)Mixed · Strategic plan and public spaces bylaw
      Welcomes improved engagement and renter inclusion, and asks council to address public-safety concerns while recognizing unhoused people’s needs and dignity.
    • A residentMixed · Public spaces bylaw and RCMP borrowing
      Supports seven-to-seven sheltering hours and is cautiously open to CRD borrowing, while asking for a separate tax line item.
  4. December 21, 2022·Public comment
    • Mike Wignall (Lankford)Concerned · Tree-protection bylaws 2115 and 2116
      Criticizes the rushed public process and asks for resident consultation on the temporary tree bylaw.
    • Sarah Plank (Goldstream Avenue)Supports · Tree-protection bylaw
      Supports the temporary bylaw and fines to deter tree removal while a permanent bylaw undergoes public consultation.
    • Randy Luberts (Dane Hill Place)Supports · Tree-protection bylaws 2115 and 2116
      Supports both temporary bylaws and urges public involvement in developing permanent protections for environmental and personal-health benefits.
    • Joel Leodakis (Page Avenue)Opposes · Tree-protection bylaw
      Opposes the rushed bylaw, citing existing development-permit protections and concerns about costs, delays, consultation, and private property impacts.