The City of North Vancouver (CNV) is moving forward with its Curb Access & Parking Plan, which includes updates to how parking is managed across the city. They state that these changes are intended to improve how street space is shared among residents, visitors, and businesses.
Our goal is to inform you of the details and let you know what the North Vancouver Chamber’s position has been on this plan.
What’s Changing
The CNV plan includes:
- Introduction of pay parking in high-demand commercial areas to encourage turnover and parking availability;
- Additional short-term loading zones to keep traffic flowing; and
- More accessible parking spaces in busy areas and key destinations.
Learn more: City of North Vancouver – Curb Access & Parking Plan
North Van Chamber Advocacy on Your Behalf
The North Vancouver Chamber has been actively engaged in these discussions to ensure the voice of the local business community is heard.
We attended, as a community stakeholder, the City of North Vancouver’s Curb Access & Parking Plan Workshop. We also spoke directly to the CNV Council and have been interviewed by local and regional media. The points we have emphasized include:
- The need for improved management of street parking turnover tailored to each location;
- The need to maintain low parking rates and fines;
- Ensuring parking revenue beyond program costs is transparently directed to a collective tax offset for all CNV businesses;
- Concern over the loss of employee parking and the need for greater public transit investment;
- Consideration for vehicle service businesses in light-industrial zones that depend on curb access;
- Ensuring street retail remains competitive with shopping malls, which often provide free parking; and
- Clarity from the CNV on how the success of the Curb Access & Parking Plan is being measured.
How Paid Parking Impacts Businesses: Key Benefits and Considerations
Paid street parking can offer advantages and challenges for businesses, varying by type and location. Here is a breakdown of some of the key impacts on businesses from our perspective:
Benefits for Businesses
- Increases parking turnover, allowing more customers access to curbside spots.
- Improves parking availability, reducing customer frustration and attracting shoppers who might otherwise avoid busy commercial areas.
- Supports retail and hospitality businesses that rely on short-stay visits.
Challenges for Businesses
- Special curb-side use in light industrial areas already under stress (e.g. staging vehicles for auto repair).
- Employees without transit options face even higher costs getting to work; employers face higher costs or risk losing staff
Stay Informed
We encourage you to review the City’s resources and consider how these changes may affect your business operations.
- Pay Parking: Learn when and where pay parking is in effect and what the rates are.
- Curb Access and Parking Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Media Coverage
North Shore News
