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
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