The City of Ottawa currently prohibits temporary car shelters except when erected on the side or rear of a property.  This bylaw (2013-224 table 55) is irresponsible and lacks common sense as:

1. The Ottawa area receives a lot of snow and ice during the winter months.
2. Shelters promote cleaner air:  little or no idling of cars required even in very cold   weather.
3. The bylaw contradicts the no-idling bylaw (2007-266)
4.  Shelters promote health:  (a) Cleaner air quality is good for everyone, (b)      Minimal shoveling of snow prevents heart attacks
5. Shelters promote safety: (a) minimize risk of falling due to snow and ice build up, (b) minimize the temptation to drive with a poorly cleared windshield, (c) the risk of collapse is no greater if the shelter is in the front, side or back of the property
6. Shelters are convenient:  (a) allow the residents to clear snow at a more convenient time, (b) eliminate the need for removing snow and ice and/or scraping windshields from the inside, and (c) allow residents to use their garage for hobbies and other things.
7. Complaints about esthetics are short-sighted as:  (a) Esthetics are less important than promoting healthier air quality and practicality, (b) Car shelters are meant to be temporary for the winter and taken down in summer, (c) People live mostly indoors during the winter and whether they think something outside is unsightly should not matter to them as it is out of their sight, (d) Many car shelters are white and blend in with the snow of winter, (e) People may have the right to complain about another neighbour’s actions if it negatively impacts their enjoyment/value of their own property.  Car shelters are a silent and temporary presence.
8. The City set a precedent by repealing a previous bylaw that banned the use of clotheslines, in spite of them being unsightly, because of their environmental benefit.

We the undersigned petition the City of Ottawa to allow a seasonal exception to bylaw 2013-224 table 55 that would permit property owners to erect temporary shelters on a front yard or driveway of any property in the City for anytime between October 15 and May 15.  This acknowledges the desires of neighbours wanting a clean street view during the summer months when that is most important while giving property owners sufficient warm weather time to erect and take down the shelter.  Valid considerations include:  (a) Ensuring municipal street numbering is visible from the street, (b) City snow removal is not obstructed, and (c)  Access to property is not obstructed.

Thank you for your responsible and careful consideration.