City begins ticketing, towing motorhomes parked along N.E. Calgary road

Bylaw officers are ticketing and towing several motorhomes parked along a northeast Calgary street after officials said it received 70 complaints about access and security issues along the stretch.

In late October, residents living on the side of Moraine Road N.E. in their RVs were given eviction notices by the city saying that road maintenance and the installation of "No Parking" signs were going to take place as of Nov. 21.

However, winter weather delayed those plans for the city.

City crews put up temporary no parking signs along the road on Sunday, stating that parking is prohibited between Nov. 22 and Dec. 6.

"The city guy showed up here to put up the temporary no parking signs due to maintenance on this stretch of road. And specifically between Centre and Fourth, which is the exact area that the RVs are parked in," said Victor LaRock, who says he had been living in his RV in the area for about a decade.

"They want us out of here. Period," he added.

On Monday morning, police, bylaw, parking authority and tow trucks were at the scene to begin ticketing and removing vehicles.

One RV and three other vehicles were removed by tow trucks because officials say they were abandoned. All of the remaining RVs and other vehicles were driven away by the people who own them.

David Dockrill moved to Moraine Road in his RV in August after his landlord increased his rent.

"Trying to find an apartment was just crazy, but (the landlord) came up to us and, I guess, and said $600 more a month," Dockrill explained. "Where are you going to get an extra $600 a month, right?"

Representatives from Alpha House were also present during the clearing of the road to offer access to social services and other community partners that provide housing.

The city has said it wants to fill potholes, remove debris and restore the boulevard.

"We've been working with (RV owners) for quite a few months and we're not wanting to issue any tickets. We just need access to that roadway to be able to accommodate some of the traffic control changes that we're making in the area," said Troy McLeod, the city's director of mobility.

Coun. Andre Chabot says he still plans on tabling a motion in January to ask administration to try to find a long-term solution for people who want to stay living in their RVs, but it won't be a short process.

"Obviously, we are in an affordability crisis and a housing crisis," Chabot said. "That's going to take quite a bit of work, including public engagement, land-use designation and tying in social services and all of it. Because if we're talking about low-income support, then that requires an administrative process."