Smaller no-stopping zones near fire hydrants could reduce parking headaches, say city officials

Metro Vancouver citiesstrapped for parking spaces might already have the room to make a dent inthe problem and the potential ismarked with a lot of bright red posts.

Fire chiefs and city engineers are pushing the province to cutthe lengthof no-parking zoneson either sideof fire hydrants in half, creatingroom for more cars. The change wouldn't apply tohydrants near intersections.

In Surrey, the difference could increase parking by 20 per cent which officials say would create hundreds street-sideparking spots.

Half the size'more than adequate': chief

B.C.'s required clearance of five metres is one of the longestin the country.In Ontario, drivers are only required to leave three metres of space.In some U.S. cities, it's only 1.5 metres or fivefeet.

Surrey Fire Chief LenGarissaid fire crews needed the space clear to be sure they couldspot hydrants from the fire truck, but that's not necessary with the latest equipment.

"Certainly withGPSnow and all of the technology we have, I don't think it's as important," he said.

In fact, Garis said crews couldwork with half that space.

"From a functional, operational perspective the distance that we're suggesting ...2.5 metres would be more than adequate," the chief said.

Another possible explanation for the lengthyno-go zones? Bad math.

"The last time it was substantially changed was when we converted from imperial to metric," Garissaid. "Five feet turned into five metres."

In Coquitlam where more than 1,800 mid-block fire hydrants are eating up parking space city staffare championing the idea of bringing the limit down by half.

"With housing affordability issues municipalities try to provide more housing options which are less expensive that includes secondary suites and coach houses and all of these come with additional demands for parking," said the city's engineering manager JozsefDioszeghy.

The Union of B.C. Municipalities would need to approve the new, lowered clearance because it would apply to communities provincewide. The proposal would then go to the Ministry of Transportation which could make the change under the Motor Vehicle Act.

On Monday, the ministry saidit has no objection to the idea.