Cochrane bylaw is considering options to help mitigate traffic congestion at the Car Wash Corral after it received numerous complaints last week.
With lines that extend down the block on River Avenue, vehicles have been blocking roadways and alleys, causing concern about “potential accidents,” according to Vern Burkholder, Cochrane Peace Officer.
“We have one very adamant individual who has been calling about the situation because it has caused him ‘great pain’ … he said there has been a ‘kerfuffle at the car wash,’” Burkholder explained.
“We can’t tell people not to wash their cars but the vehicles shouldn’t be blocking driveways and we just want to remind people to be courteous and be patient.”
With reports of “shouting-matches” over weekend lineups and after examining the situation last Friday, bylaw staff said it will be working with the car wash owner to look at potential solutions for the situation.
Car wash manager Karmin Javer said the business is working with the Town to “see what an be done on the street level.”
“Possibly some signage for no parking or stacking. As well we are going to have some signs posted along the fence to encourage our customers to move forward and leave less gaps in the lineup,” Javer explained in a written statement to the Eagle.
The manager said this time of year is busy for all car washes in Cochrane and thinks it is a “temporary setback.”
“Right now there is more demand than supply,” Burkholder said.
“It does create congestion (but) people should use road etiquette.”
Other communities in Alberta have also faced similar congestion problems, including a well-known Canadian coffee shop in Fort McMurray that was issued a warning by RCMP in 2015 due to its customers causing a “traffic hazard.”
“Things should normalize as the roads dry up – regardless we will make more of an effort to keep our customers from obstructing roadway traffic,” Javer said.
Customers waiting in line at the wash station are reminded to not block the alleyways or driveways in front of businesses.
According to the Town administration, municipal enforcement receives very few calls specifically about lineups causing road congestion.
If a person is found guilty of not following parking restrictions and prohibitions, bylaw states the person is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not less than $50, and not more than $2,500 – with default in payment making the person liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
FACTBOX
Cochrane bylaw 12. Parking restriction and prohibitions:
12.10 No person shall park a vehicle in an alley in a manner that obstructs the safe passage of other vehicles along the alley.
12.15 No person shall park any vehicle on any portion of a highway in the Town in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to other persons using the highway, including those using the sidewalk.
