Paid parking can’t be at the cost of West Vancouver businesses: ADBIA

A rushed and rather ill-considered decision on pay parking in John Lawson Park and Dundarave Park is back on the Council’s agenda this Monday evening—without the necessary community and business engagement.

In November 2024, Council tabled the proposal to implement pay parking in these areas, including lower Bellevue south of the railway tracks, citing the need to explore new technology. That consultation has yet to happen. Yet, council is prepared to move forward without it. The Ambleside Dundarave Business Improvement Association (ADBIA) continues to call for meaningful engagement with the community and business owners before making any decision.

While we recognize the financial pressures facing the municipality, finding additional revenue cannot come at the expense of our local businesses. Commercial properties already pay nearly three times the tax rate of residential properties yet receive little in return. Now, the council is considering a measure that could actively harm these businesses by discouraging customer access. Parking is one of the most critical factors in a thriving retail and service economy—eliminating free and accessible parking without a clear understanding of the consequences is frankly, short-sighted.

The argument that “we won’t know the impact until we try it” is not a responsible approach to governance. If paying for parking negatively affects local businesses, it may be too late to reverse the damage. Many small businesses are already operating on razor-thin margins. A decline in foot traffic due to parking barriers could mean the difference between staying afloat and shutting down. The District’s bylaws regarding parking enforcement in commercial areas remain inconsistently applied, with frequent violations of posted time limits. Instead of implementing a well-considered solution to these issues, Council is opting for a risky trial-and-error approach.

Compounding the issue is the way this decision is being handled. Once again, this item has been added to the agenda at the last minute, leaving the ADBIA with little time to consult its members. Even more concerning is that public input is not currently permitted on this matter—Council has framed this as a decision to “inform, not engage.” However, the Mayor has the authority to change this and allow for public input. We urge the Mayor and Council to reconsider, as decisions with such direct impacts on local businesses and the community must be made with transparency and participation.

The ADBIA is confident that a solution can be found—one that supports municipal revenue needs and the vitality of local businesses. But this requires collaboration, not unilateral decision-making. Our request is simple: amend the recommendation to explicitly state that “the ADBIA be a part of the planning and program development related to parking within our business areas with staff and the service provider.” This ensures that business concerns are heard and addressed before policies are implemented rather than after the damage is done.

If you are concerned about the future of our local businesses and the impact of pay parking on commercial access, we urge you to make your voice heard. Contact Council before noon on February 24th, or better yet, attend the meeting at 6 p.m. that evening. Decisions affecting our community should not be made behind closed doors, without the input of those most affected.

Maureen O’Brien is the executive director of Ambleside & Dundarave BIA