'Annoying' parking lot camping prompts temporary ban in Canmore

The mountain town of Canmore, Alta., is short on affordable housing.

Some peoplehave found a workaround camping on townproperty, and residents are split over what'sbecome an increasingly contentious issue.

The town is moving ahead with what it says are temporary measures to bring in a parking banbetween 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., meaning overnight campers will have to move their vehicles during that period.

CanmoreMayor John Borrowman says the town relaxedwhat used to be an overnight RV parking ban while it studies what he says is a complex municipal and social-service problem.

"I appreciate that the situation there is bothering and annoying some residents, but a caring community will move forward with some caution and address all the needs as best we can," said Borrowman.

"Housing in Canmore is hard to find in the summer months particularly, and is quite expensive."

For now, there isa porta-potty in place and the main area where campers park is being patrolled but the number of people "taking advantage" of the relaxed rule has increased, he said.

"Residents were quite upset," said Borrowman.

Asheligh Johnson and her boyfriend are two of those camping in the town. They've been working in the hospitality sector since last summer, while renting an apartment. But they've decided to camp in their van for a few weeks before they move on.

"I do think that there is an issue in the town with affordable housing and space," Johnson said.

Johnson said she believes campers range from travellers, to seasonal workers, to some people who are homeless.

Last year, Canmore was deemed the least affordable housing market in Alberta, according to an analysis from real estate company Zoocasa.

The average home price was $676,093,12.9 times the median income for a single-person household in the town.

• Canmore deemed least affordable housing market in Alberta, Fort McMurray the most
• Campers say parking lot living 'not that bad' in expensive mountain town

Sid Cupido has lived in Canmorefor more than a decade, anddescribes the parking issue as"terribly contentious."

"I just think no one's in a win-win situation. Somebody is going to lose and somebody is going to win and that's just the way it goes," he said.

The town is also hiring an outreach worker to help research the issue, and is expected to consider longer-term solutions later this year.