Rosemont parking restrictions frustrating residents, merchants

MONTREAL – If there is one thing Rosemont residents can agree on, it is a parking problem. Between Bixi stands, fire hydrants, extended sidewalks and other restrictions, there isn’t much room left to park a car.

Now, a new obstacle has appeared: yellow lines prohibiting motorists from parking within five meters of many street corners. Residents say the yellow lines have been appearing at intersections across the borough over the past month.

“We weren’t warned by the city,” said Rosemont resident Mathieu Bourque. “They never explained why.”

Still, not everyone is against the restriction.

“When you balance safety with losing a few parking spots, I think safety is more important to me,” said resident Nicole Beauchesne. She believes the restriction will make intersections safer, allowing drivers to see approaching traffic without inching too far forward.

The only indication of the restriction are the lines themselves. No signs have been installed. Right now, visibility is reduced by leaves; in the winter, it will be snow. Many residents are calling it a ticket trap.

“The police are very eager to hand out tickets,” said resident Annette Juneau.

But perhaps the most affected are Rosemont’s merchants. Jacques Parent has been a shoemaker in the area for 40 years. He said business has been slower since the implementation of the yellow lines.

“People can’t park, so they go elsewhere,” said Parent.

The Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec (CORPIQ) has launched an online petition, which has collected over 200 signatures so far. CORPIQ told Global News the issue will be brought up at a city council meeting on Monday night.