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Calgarians Split On Lawns Paved Over Into Mega Driveways

'Unidriveways' O.K.? Readers Weigh In

Some residents in northeast Calgary are getting peeved with their pavement-happy neighbours.

Metro Calgary first reported that several families living in the neighbourhoods of Saddleridge and Martindale are creating so-called "unidriveways" by paving over their lawns and grass that grows between parking pads.

The widened driveways are an attempt to create more parking space, and, according to Metro, on some streets three or four houses in a row have nothing but pavement in front of them.

“When people overuse their residential neighborhood for the purpose of parking cars, I have an issue with that," Saddleridge resident Greg Steiner told Global News, adding that he's submitted several complaints about the pave jobs over the past year.

We posted Metro's story to our Facebook page, and asked Calgarians to weigh in with their thoughts. "Cool or not cool?", we asked.

Gina Billett Winn says the parking pads are "better than weeds or unkept yards," adding that she is sympathetic to the parking issues in the neighbourhood.

Scott Gorman agrees, asking: "Why does anyone care? It's a city. An unused front yard is just wasted space."

"Their yard. Their choice. Not our concern," wrote Valerie Fox.

Others, however, consider the extra pavement not only to be an eyesore but a modification that comes with other issues.

"There needs to be areas where the ground can absorb rainwater, otherwise it'll all flow to city drains and there will be flooding, and there will be no ground water!" observed Reno Ruth Wilford.

Micheal Lord raised the issue of parking for other neighbours and visitors.

"It reduces street parking in the area because you're not allowed to park in front of driveways," he wrote.

Jane Weixl expressed her discomfort of living near a neighbourhood where this is happening.

"The neighbourhood will soon look like a used car lot. I know because this has happened to a neighbourhood near me. It looks awful, makes it impossible to do snow removal and makes it difficult to see young children darting into the road."

Councillor Jim Stevenson says paving over a front lawn is against city bylaws and he's "not sure how they got permission to cement or pave right to the curb."

“That’s city property, not theirs,” he told Global News.

According to Metro, the city planning department has had rules in place about driveways and driveway widths since 2008.

More Reactions To Calgary 'Unidriveways'

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