Parking fees and fines in Powell River will be going up, council decided earlier this month.
The day parking rates at the airport, North Harbour Marina, South Harbour Wharf, and Mowat Bay will increase from $5 to $7.50. A staff report points out that since the boat launch is free, the new rate is still cheaper than other similar communities.
Parking fines will double to $30 if paid within 14 days and $60 after that.
Councilor Jim Palm was the lone vote against increasing fees and fines.
“We don’t live in Vancouver. We don’t have the massive parking situation problem that Vancouver has, and this increase is way beyond the increase that should be proposed for Powell River in my estimation,” he said. “I won’t be voting for it.”
A staff report to council explaining the increases suggests that giving people a bigger incentive to pay early will likely increase collections by the city and generate $26,000 in new revenue annually.
Council voted 6-1 in favour of the new fees.
