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