' THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF. PORT COQUITLAM C 0 U N C [ |

MEMORANDUM JUL 25 1983

TO: B. Kirk, . . July 21, 1983
City Administrator

FROM: F.E.. Peters., P. Eng.,
City Engineer

SUBJECT: Provision for Handicapped -
Publie Works Committee, July 19th, 1983

RECOMMENDATION:

That the City replace all the existing handicapped parking signs with the
standard blue signs.

BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS:

. The Public Works Committee was requested +o report on Alderman Mabbett's memo
to Counci! dealing with ways of making things easier for the disabled: and particularly
those in wheelchairs.. Some of the items in Alderman Mabbett's memo do not relate
directly to the Public Works Committee but rather to the National Building Code which
is administered by the Building Department.

Several of the items mentioned in the memo require further comment. One is
the matter of lips on curb let-downs at intersections, Although it would obviously be
better for the whesIchairs to not have any kind of drop, the lip is necessary in order
to provide positive drainage past the let=down. If there wes no lip: then water flowing
in the gutter would back up onto the ramp. The standard let-down which we use has been
approved by the Handicapped Access Committee as they feel that there is not difficulty

' for a whee!chair to negotiate a 2" drop at the curb.

We have not. been using the standard international! logo for handicapped
parking restrictions because the Code of Uniform Traffic Control Devices indicates that
the blue sign is an information sign rather than a regulatory sign. Presumably a
person fighting a parking ticket where a standard sign is used would be able to argue
that the sign is not recognized as a regulatory sign and therefore is not enforceable.
However, the Committee recognizes the need to have standardization and quick
recognition of the wheelchair symbol! and therefore is prepared to recommend that we
replae ail our existing signs with the standard blue Sign. Since all our handicapped ~
parking stalis are included in our Parking Bylaw, we may not have the same difficulty
with enforcement that those municipalities which do not use a Bylaw would have.

F.E. Peters, P, Eng.,
City Engineer ,