POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE

Date: March 9, 1999

Author/Local: A.Duncan/7172

RTS No. 00578
CC File No. 5767

P&E: 25 March 1999

TO:	Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM:	General Managers of Community Services and Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Proposed Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the Draft Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision be adopted in principle, except for the designation of Environmental Corridors in Vancouver, to guide sub-regional greenway sector planning.

B. THAT Vancouver greenway routes identified as Environmental Corridors in the Draft Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision be included as components of the Recreational Network.

C. THAT staff be directed to consult with the GVRD, neighbouring municipalities and other organizations, as resources and civic priorities allow, to refine the Draft Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision.

GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS

The General Managers of Community Services and Engineering Services RECOMMEND approval of A, B and C.

COUNCIL POLICY

On June 6, 1995, Council adopted the Livable Region Strategic Plan.

On July 18, 1995, Council adopted the Vancouver Greenways Plan.

On May 27, 1997, Council adopted the Vancouver Transportation Plan.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council adoption in principle of the GVRD's Draft Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision* and to direct staff to consult with the GVRD, neighbouring municipalities and other organizations to refine the Draft Greater Vancouver Regional Greenway Vision through their sub-regional sector planning processes.

BACKGROUND

The Draft Regional Greenway Vision was developed by the GVRD Strategic Planning Department in consultation with municipalities and community groups in Greater Vancouver. The Draft Regional Greenway Vision, which is an elaboration of the Livable Region Strategic Plan's Parks and Outdoor Recreation System, is intended to provide a framework for co-ordinating greenway initiatives across municipal boundaries.

On June 26, 1998, the GVRD Board directed that the Draft Regional Greenway Vision be referred to member municipalities and other interested organizations for review and endorsement in principle, and, to seek their co-operation in refining the Vision through greenway sector planning processes.

DISCUSSION

The Draft Regional Greenway Vision is a refinement of the Parks and Outdoor Recreation System concept that is part of the Livable Region Strategic Plan. It emphasizes regionally-significant connections, defined as those which cross municipal boundaries, connect two or more large natural or Green Zone areas, and are of a scale that is memorable within the region. Intended to be achieved over a long period of time, the Vision provides a framework that supports and complements more detailed webs of local greenways which often focus on local or neighbourhood connections. It also provides a framework for co-ordinating greenway activities already underway, such as the Trans Canada Trail and the new rapid transit corridor planning. Therefore, the Vision supports Vancouver's greenways programs, by promoting intermunicipal and interagency connections and through potential use of GVRD rights-of-way and facilities.

The Vision consists of two types of greenways: Environmental Corridors and Recreational Network Components. These categories are not used by Vancouver in our Greenways Plan but are philosophically consistent with our goals for the greenways program.

*Previously distributed; on file in the City Clerk's Office.

Environmental Corridors

Environmental Corridors are intended to connect, and to allow the movement of wildlife between, natural habitat areas in the Green Zone, thereby supporting the Green Zone's long-term ecological viability. The Vision identifies six Environmental Corridors in Vancouver, all of which are greenway routes approved in the Vancouver Greenways Plan: Pacific Spirit Greenway (Spirit Trail), the Ridgeway, Arbutus Way, Seaside Route, the Parkway, and the Eastside Crosscut.

The Vision identifies five of these greenways (all but Pacific Spirit Trail) as requiring environmental rehabilitation to enhance their role as Environmental Corridors. It states that these Environmental Corridors, like the Ridgeway, must be aggressively reinstated as part of the ongoing redevelopment of urban area and therefore require environmental rehabilitation. This is a concern from the City's perspective. Much of Vancouver's Greenways network is located along existing streets. In developing these greenways, such as the Ridgeway Pilot Project, staff consult with affected residents to determine the level of greenway interventions (pedestrian amenities, traffic calming, environmental initiatives, public art, etc.) considered appropriate and supported by the community. Therefore, it is recommended that the City not support the designation of Environmental Corridors in Vancouver in endorsing the Vision, and that those greenway routes be included only as components of the Recreational Network.

Recreational Network Components

Recreational greenways enhance linear recreation opportunities available in the region, generally connecting major park or providing access to important natural features, where appropriate. The Vision identifies five of the above environmental greenways (all but the Eastside Crosscut) as also being recreational greenways. In addition to these, the Seawall, Ontario Street, Harbour Route, Fraser River Trail and Fraserview Trail (a combination of parts of the Eastside Crosscut and the North Arm Trail) were also identified. The Vision also identified the Adanac Trail (the Adanac Bikeway in Vancouver) as a recreational greenway. The Adanac Bikeway is not part of Vancouver's Greenways Plan but is part of the designated Trans Canada Trail and is recognized by the City as an important connection between Vancouver and Burnaby. The GVRD goals for the Recreational Network are consistent with the City's goals for our greenways program and should be supported.

CONCLUSION

The Draft Regional Greenway Vision is an important first step in planning greenway connections in the Greater Vancouver region. Endorsing this document in principle and committing staff to co-operate with the GVRD and other municipalities and agencies in refining the Vision through sub-regional sector planning processes will benefit the City's greenways program and reinforce the goals of the Livable Region Strategic Plan. However, designation of Environmental Corridors in Vancouver that must be environmentally rehabilitated is not supported. Rather, these greenway routes should only be included in the Vision as components of the Recreation Network.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver