It's been an issue for many years in the Avenues, especially for those living around Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Now the city seems ready to make some changes that are geared to help the parking issue on the narrow north/south streets.

Monday city council gave initial approval to restrict parking to one side of the street, and only allow parking by permit. Parking will be restricted on the fire hydrant side of the street.

Mark Sture with the city Engineering department said that they will start the parking restrictions in a test area before opening it up to more areas. They will at first focus on the area around Sask Polytech - 9th NW east to Henleaze Avenue and then from Caribou St. up to Laurier.

Sture explained how the parking permits would work.

"Residents will be entitled to the first permit at no cost. $25 for the second permit and $50 for third and subsequent permits."

It is not clear at this time if parking on the east/west streets would also be restricted, so Sture is seeking clarification on what exactly city officials intended with their motion.

Sture said the city would be having an open house in the next two or three weeks to get the information out to the public.

Motions regarding the pending changes will be put to city council at their next regular meeting April 4.