Regarding the continued conversation, of the now postponed utility trailer motion, brought forward by Coun. Marni Fedeyko. I would like to add my two cents as I am a local home-based small business owner that is directly affected by this bylaw.
The livelihood of my family depends on my ability to work, just like yourselves, and the direct connection to having unencumbered access to my small, covered utility trailer for work. I have lived here in Cochrane going on seven and a half years now and have a great deal of respect to the bylaws and rules of our town.
I do have a recreational trailer too, stored like the bylaw requires, in a local storage facility, supporting other local small business owners. My problem is that I need my work trailer on a regular basis (two to three times a week). The idea of storing it at a storage facility brings on added costs, minimal access and potential loss of revenue if my trailer is snowed in, since none of the storage facilities plow their sites regularly.
The options here in town, offering close proximity to my home, are very limited, contrary to other opinions. Would you ever consider driving out of town to go collect your work vehicle from locked storage so that you could make a living? Most of the local storage lots are either full, going out of business or just over the top too expensive. Top that with limited access like only being open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, which eliminates my options even further as I need my trailer on weekends, too.
What I propose is that legitimate small home-based business, that all ready pay their business licence, have the option of paying an additional fee to park from October to May on their front driveways. This way, the livelihood of local residents who fit into this same position are not burdened by this bylaw. As long as the legitimate business is on the town’s radar, it abides by the 1.5-metre setback rule from the towns sidewalks and it is paid up in its fees, my question is, Why not? This option would free up parking on the streets as a result, as now I have to keep my trailer connected to my 22' long truck and take up three parking spots on the street, instead of none – my truck sits in my driveway when un-attached. I say it is time to really open this conversation about what could be allowed and let a business concentrate on serving its local customers.
Mike Smith
