An online petition is urging the City of Surrey not to crack down on secondary suites in the Clayton neighborhood and find instead another solution for overcrowded parking.
This comes after the city sent about 175 notices, with more on the way, warning homeowners they’ll be hit with a $500-a-day fine starting February if they have an illegal suite.
Richard Von Sychowski, a landlord who lives in the area, started the petition. He acknowledged parking is an issue in the area but said the city should think of other solutions.
“From the very get-go we all share the same corner in the community, parking is definitely an issue. We believe there’s a better way of resolving this and partnering with the city,” said Von Sychowski.
Von Sychowski said evicting tenants isn’t the way to go, especially during a housing crisis.
City by-law manager Jas Rehal said the city has tried a number of initiatives over the past few years to free up parking, but there’s been no significant change.
“Over the past couple years, we’ve had about 400 complaints in relation to illegal suites, and over 7,600 parking complaints.”
Rehal said the city understands there is a housing crisis, adding that that’s why the city is giving landlord and tenants six months’ notice.