Kamloops city staff are investigating a possible restriction of residential on-street parking while crews are clearing snow.

Streets manager Glen Farrow says some Interior communities already have that restriction, and he says Kelowna even has on-street parking bans in some new subdivisions, partly to make room for snow-clearing.

“One of the challenges that we have, as it relates to restricting parking, other communities put notice out through media and everything to remove your cars, and they’ll have the next two or three days to clear snow. Our service levels are so aggressive and so tight that before the parking has been removed, we’ll have already been there.”

Farrow says crews are limited in their ability to clear and store snow in some neighborhoods.

“We’re seeing a lot of new developments narrowing the roads, so the snow storage on particular roads is becoming more of a challenge. One of the greatest challenges we’re seeing is, we’re promoting and encouraging suites. With suites, it’s often additional parking.”

A report from Farrow with an update on snow and ice clearing will be brought to this afternoon’s Civic Operations Committee.

Part of the report says, following an increase of the snow removal budget by $300,000 and buying new equipment this year, that the city  would like to see – apart from potential on-street parking restrictions during snow removal – more snow disposal locations and a continuation of educating the public about service levels and expectations.