A8
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: November 12, 1996
Dept. File No. 196 710 (3153)
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with
the Director of Community Planning
SUBJECT: Development of the John Street Greenway Extension, and Staff
Policy for the Construction of Similar Neighbourhood Greenways
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council be notified by memo of any future Neighbourhood
Greenway projects that fall within the spending authority of
the General Manager of Engineering Services and do not change
existing traffic patterns.
B. THAT Council approve the development of the John Street
Greenway Extension, and that funding of $31,000 be allocated
from the Streets Basic Capital Unallocated Account No.
12/31/6801/999 for this proposal.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 18, 1995, Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan which
includes the development of Neighbourhood Greenways throughout the City.
The General Manager of Engineering Services is authorized by Council to
create new capital accounts up to $50,000 from approved capital funding.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for the funding
and construction of the John Street Greenway Extension, and to seek
Council approval for the General Manager of Engineering Services to
notify Council by memo of future Neighbourhood Greenway proposals which
cost under $50,000 and do not change existing traffic patterns.
BACKGROUND
The John Street Greenway was built in 1994 to eliminate an inconvenient
diversion created by an unusually long residential block. This Greenway
was created by acquiring a 3 meter easement across a residential
property. Local residents and City staff designed and built this
project, with funding provided by the City.
The same group of local residents involved with the creation of the John
Street Greenway initiated this proposal to extend it. A neighbourhood
meeting was held on November 1, 1995, to present staff with this idea.
Over the past year, staff have worked with these residents to develop
the Greenway extension's design.
DISCUSSION
Reporting & Approval Process
As Neighbourhood Greenways are small scale projects with a local focus,
their development is primarily a community undertaking with technical
support and funding provided by the City. A majority of these projects
are likely to cost under $50,000 and not change existing traffic
patterns. Therefore, a reduction in their development time and a
savings of staff time can result from such projects being approved by
the General Manager of Engineering Services, with a memo sent to inform
Council of the approval. Yearly updates to Council would be provided by
staff on completed Neighbourhood Greenways authorized in this manner.
One such project, typical of this situation, is the John Street Greenway
Extension described in this report.
John Street Greenway Extension
Development of the John Street Greenway Extension will create a
continuous Greenway connection between this neighbourhood and the
commercial area along Main Street. This extension reflects the spirit
of the earlier John Street Greenway. It will enhance the experience of
pedestrians and cyclists along the portion of paved lane connecting John
Street to 26th Avenue.
The conceptual design for this Greenway extension was developed in
collaboration with a group of local residents. The needs of the four
adjoining properties were considered especially important to the success
of this design. Therefore, vehicle access to the driveways of the
adjoining houses, as well as access for emergency vehicles, have been
accommodated. As the western portion of the lane is presently closed to
through traffic, this closed portion will be extended to allow the
creation of terraced planted areas designed to increase greenspace.
This space will provide the community with opportunities to cultivate
the soil, and a place to sit and rest. An artist will be commissioned
to work with the community in transforming the existing gravel shoulder
and adjacent grass slope along the southeastern edge of the lane into a
drystream.
For a plan of the site, please refer to Appendix A.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Building this portion of the John Street Greenway will provide many
environmental benefits. It will reduce storm water runoff into the
sewer system by creating a permeable surface where currently there
exists asphalt paving. In addition, a more continuous Greenway
connection will encourage a greater number of local residents to walk or
cycle to the commercial area along Main Street.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The local community has taken a very active role in the development and
maintenance of the existing John Street Greenway. Building this
Greenway extension will provide further social benefits to the
community. It will create a more appealing landscape for local
residents, and provide a safer place for children to play. It will also
promote community building through additional community-oriented
projects such as neighbourhood planting events, and public art
collaborations.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The cost to construct the John Street Greenway Extension is estimated to
be $31,000. Funding for this proposal is available in the Streets Basic
Capital Unallocated Account No. 12/31/6801/999.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Construction by Street Operations crews can begin in December, with
neighbourhood planting events, and a Public Art installation scheduled
for the Spring of 1997.
CONCLUSION
The John Street Greenway (built in 1994) is highly used by local
residents. Building the extension will be an asset to the local
community in terms of greenspace, and a continuous Greenway link. With
Council's approval, construction on this project can begin in December.
Due to the public nature of Greenway projects, it is important that
Council be kept informed about them. However, with projects similar to
the John Street Greenway Extension, development time can be reduced if
approval is provided through a "Request for Funding Transfer - General
Manager of Engineering Services Authorization".
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