GREENWAYS Connecting Communities November 2012

Greenways Plan

• 350 km planned

• Over 80 km built

• Construction of 4-5 km / year

GREENWAYS EXAMPLES

Greenways provide safe and sustainable transportation alternatives, as well as “active living” opportunities

Fortis BC Corridor

• The unpaved corridor is currently being used by people

• Paving the corridor will allow more people to use it

• Preliminary findings of a study on safety on greenways suggests that there are not higher incidents on greenways around the city

• Therefore, adding more people using this corridor will add legitimacy rather than increased risk

Design Influences Behaviour• Construction of an asphalt pathway will:

– create better sight lines for visual surveillance, – improve conditions underfoot and generate additional use and new users:

• Recreational walkers and cyclists

• More dog walkers from the neighbourhood

• More neighbourhood children as a route to school

• Local and commuter cyclists in order to avoid vehicular traffic

• The addition of hedge plants in some locations will reduce the opportunity for graffiti

• The use of fencing to restrict ‘cut-throughs’ reduces opportunity for trespass

• Brush removal to maintain sight lines reduces opportunity for unwanted behaviour

Design Options

• Reduce pathway pavement width to 3m where the FortisBC corridor is narrower than 10 m

• Subject to FortisBC permit approval

– Optional chain link fence (2m ht) where corridor is narrower than 10m, with optional individual gate for direct access

– Landscaping along fence line: no trees, shrubs up to 2 m ht

– Gentle curve in pathway alignment

Property Value near Trails and Greenways

• 2001 study: property values next to greenways were slightly higher and crime activity was unchanged compared to other property in the same neighbourhood

• 2012 update: study undertaken to “determine if those homes that are immediately adjacent to a trail or greenway have more or less value than homes that are further away from that trail but in the same neighbourhood or housing complex.”

• 2012 FINDINGS: there is an average 5% increase in property value for properties adjacent to a greenway or trail compared to similar homes in the same neighbourhood (based on matched pair sales data)

Natural Areas

• Greenway Development Process involves:

– Professional assessment to determine drainage issues, the sensitivity of the habitat, verify the stream classification and confirm/map the precise location of the creek

– Submission of a development plan to Environmental Review Committee including any proposed habitat compensation

– Approval by DFO will be required

– Greenway construction must occur in a manner that minimizes and compensates for any environmental impacts

Next Steps

• Compile resident concerns

• Prepare report with recommendations

• Provide summary of recommendations to residents

• Apply for funding assistance (163 to 168 sections)

• Prepare detailed design drawings for any section that is to be constructed and submit various permit applications

• Provide notification letter to adjoining residents prior to construction

Greenways Connecting Communities