Margaret's Place residents hit with sidewalk snafu

Residents of a newer St. John's neighbourhood may be ticketed this winter, parking in their driveways.

New sidewalks on Margaret's Place cut into the length of parking spots, making them too short for some vehicles.

That's left some front and back ends hanging over the sidewalk — a no-no in the city's books.

"With the installation of the sidewalks, we have vehicles now that are overshadowing the sidewalk," said Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Galgay.

At-large Coun. Art Puddister says it could cause big problems once the winter street parking ban comes into effect in early January.

"Some time over the last couple of years, a mistake was made over the width of the streets," he said. "Sidewalks were put in to the point where residents will get a ticket if they're hanging over the sidewalk, so you have cars parked on both sides of the street."

Left without parking?

Puddister said it's possible some residents won't have a place to park once the winter parking ban takes effect.

And Galgay worries others will be forced to break the law.

"Will these vehicles be ticketed for being over on a sidewalk that's been installed after the fact?" he asked during council's regular public meeting on Monday.

The city has decided to park the issue until police and traffic officials can review it.