Correspondence from J. Sturmey Re: Concern about No Requirement for Parking

Elena Bolster

Subject: FW: Concern about no requirement for parking

From: Joyce Sturmey Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 8:01 PM To: Info Address info@viewroyal.ca Subject: Concern about no requirement for parking

Hello,

My husband and I are residents of the Town Of View Royal.

Addressing the statement that no parking inside or outside of apartments or condos, this idea is absolutely terrible. It is fine for those people who are able-bodied but what about the people of any age that are not able to take buses and have no one to rely on for transportation. I am sure you could say we should arrange for Handi-Dart (I have heard from many stating it is terrible for pick up at both ends; having to wait a very, very long time before one will arrive). Also, you could recommend taxis but who has the money (especially nowadays) to afford that expense.

When I was younger, I rode the bus all the time, every workday for 37 years while I worked in downtown Victoria but that was before all of the unhoused had been around. I remember walking down the middle of Government Street, early in morning with no one around enjoying the peace and quiet; it was beautiful. Now all of the municipalities are required to have a bus hub with the provisional that no parking is required.

You may think the younger generation is the only one who would probably occupy some of the condos and apartment but with the price of housing, etc. very few people can afford to live just anywhere. I would like to see the mayor and the councillors consider living their lives for a month. Where could they afford to live, what accommodation would they be able to afford to live in if they did have money concerns, what if they were not able to drive with family and friends were not able to help. What would they do about getting to their appointments. I do not drive and currently my husband takes me to my appointments but that could end anytime.

Usually, the mayor and councillors are able to get to everything. What if they tried to be in other's shoes, live in other's shoes and afford to take the Handi-Dart but the Handi-Dart is always getting them to their appointments late and the physiotherapist or the family doctor charged them for being late. What if they could still drive a car and able to do a lot of things like grocery shopping. You can't take much on a bus because everything is too heavy. You can't afford that taxi as well.

I challenge each mayor and councillor to walk in someone else's shoes for a month. Remember, Victoria still has many people who are older and a number of people are disabled with one thing or the other. I feel that View Royal has done very well looking after all of us.

I would like the Premier Eby to do the same; he is young but won't always be young. The traffic and buses, etc. are terrible in the Vancouver area because of the number of people. Many people are having to take 2-3 hour bus rides to get to work.

There is probably more I could say.

All the best, Joyce

Joyce W. Sturmey Helmcken Road Victoria BC V9B 1S2