People who sit or lie down on certain sidewalks in Penticton could soon be fined $100 after the city’s councillors backed a bylaw amendment on Tuesday.
The changes to the Good Neighbour Bylaw were proposed as a way of bringing “tangible improvements” to the city’s downtown amid more than $100 million of investment.
If given final approval on June 4, the amendment will be enforced between May 1 and September 30.
It will apply between 100-300 Ellis Street, 200-400 Martin Street and the 100- 700 block of Main Street.
Councillor Jake Kimberly said on Tuesday that it’s “unfortunate” the city has to adopt such measures, but stressed that loitering “interferes with the residents who pay for those sidewalks [and] interferes with businesses that pay taxes to operate those stores”.
Fellow councillor Julius Bloomfield, however, disagreed – saying it would only target the "symptom" of insufficient affordable housing.
He explained: “I know there’s a lot of support, but I know there’s a lot of concern as well.”
Campbell Watt also voted against the change, saying that he is not comfortable with “pushing people out”.
Anthony Haddad, director of planning and development for the city, stressed the necessity of the amendment.
“With over $100M of new private investment and close to $20M in public investment taking place in the downtown since the adoption of the City’s Downtown Plan in 2013, the positive momentum built over recent years will continue by further enhancing our public spaces for our residents, businesses and visitors,” he said.
“New residential development alone, which includes a mix of affordable housing, market rentals and condominiums, have contributed to increasing the amount of new residents living in and around the downtown; bringing new residential density and life to the heart of our City.”
He added: “Staff believe the range of usages being proposed for suitable public spaces will receive a positive response from the community and from those interested in participating in the various initiatives.
“Whether they be businesses looking to innovate outside of their buildings, local artists wishing to entertain the community, or locals wanting to create a new pop-up event in a public space downtown, all of these activities will continue to enhance the downtown that our businesses and residents have created.”
With files from Canadian Press
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