ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- The mayor of Abbotsford, B.C. says trucking is vital and growing industry in his community, and drivers need places to park.

Mayor George Peary's task force on commercial truck parking has produced a report dubbed “Moving Forward.” Among the recommendations: that tractor-trailers be allowed to park on residential and industrial streets.

The report will be debated at a public meeting tonight… and it could be a hot one, given that a number of local residents have already come out against the recommendation, saying they're concerned about child safety and home values.

There is currently a zoning bylaw in place that bans commercial vehicles more than 6.1 metres in length or 5,500 kg from being parked or stored in residential zones, except when enclosed within a building.

If the new proposal is accepted, a truck owner would have to apply to the city for a development variance permit to park residentially.

The city would send a notification letter to the applicant’s “abutting” neighbours, who would have to support the application.

In addition to the changes, it would take a “legitimate complaint” for the city to enforce the bylaw.

Peary has become a champion of the trucking industry in recent months, saying, “Virtually everything that goes in and goes out of Abbotsford is on rubber tires.

“The trucking industry is a vital component to our economy,” he said. “It provides us with fuel, food – everything we consume arrives by truck.”

The Moving Forward document also recommends a pilot project to allow specific streets in industrial areas to be used for overnight commercial truck parking, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The measures are meant to assist long-haul truckers who arrive at night and are unable to pick up or unload until the next morning. Once implemented, city staff would monitor for compliance and complaints.

Another alternative was fast-tracking development applications for new or expanded commercial truck parking facilities on properties that aren’t located within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

In addition, promoting the use of gravel pits and sites belonging to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was also highlighted.

The proposal can be read in full online by visiting the city’s website, and entering Mayor’s Task Force on Commercial Truck Parking: Moving Forward in the search engine.