Prince George, B.C. -A bylaw to  cover owners of private  parking lots  has been  put on the hook and hauled  away.

 Owners of private parking lots in  Prince George were on their way to  being covered by a bylaw that would allow them to tow vehicles that were violating their  parking lot  rules.  Turns out,  the bylaw  isn't going to  be very helpful  to private lot owners and two companies aren't  happy with it either.

In a late submission to City Council,  Bob Hillhouse of Majestic Management  says  when  it was first suggested that a towing bylaw be developed,  it was  because  there  was a plan to have parking meters return to the  downtown core.  The concern was, people would  turn to parking illegally in spots in private lots to avoid paying  parking fees  for on street parking.  But with  the meter plan quashed,  there is no need for the private lot  towing bylaw.

Concerns raised by Majestic Management include the set rates,  which  it says are not in  keeping with what the City would be charging for  towing parking  violators.  The private lot owners would be  held to ICBC rates, while the City has rates  that  include an administration fee.  The bylaw also calls for any losses to be covered by the  private lot owners which the writers to Council say  violates the Competition Act.

They argue the  required signage is too large,  and could create blind spots for drivers entering or exiting a private lot.

Another issue is the  required use of  string lights  for tow trucks.  String lights can scratch a vehicle,  and most tow companies are now using wireless lights.  Wireless lights are  permitted for use in the City's towing bylaw, and  if  the private lots are to have a towing bylaw they question why  wireless lights are not allowed.

The bylaw also fails to give private lot owners the authority to tow.  It outlines when  vehicles cannot be towed, but leaves the "authority to tow" to Section 192 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

Bottom line, there is a request  to scrap the bylaw, or  if the city  plans to push ahead with it,  that the City  consider the suggestions  for change.

Councillor Albert Koehler says if there is no need for the bylaw, "then leave it, maybe we are just better off that we don`t do anything."

Councillor Lyn Hall says  this is  perfect example of why there  are three readings for a bylaw. He questions "if the city is entering into a particular area that is already taken care of?"

Council voted unanimously to defeat the third reading of the bylaw.