Attention: City of Burnaby

Subdivision Reference: 16-00026

Project ID: 82967

Transportation Planning: Stuart Ramsey – Manager, Transportation Planning (604-294-7413, stuart.ramsey@burnaby.ca)

Subdivision: Lina Marinelli – Supervisor, Subdivision Approvals, Planning (604-294-7944, lina.marinelli@burnaby.ca)

Engineering: James Lota – Deputy Director, Engineering (604-294-7466, james.lota@burnaby.ca)

Planning: Lou Pelletier – Director Planning and Building (604-294-7431, lou.pelletier@burnaby.ca)

Planning: Manpreet Bains (604-294-7919)

Overview

We the community are very concerned about the proposed changes to the roadways and lane ways that are planned around Woodvale Dr.

There is construction of the previous 6855 Adair St. property being subdivided in to two new addresses (6823 Adair St. and 6833 Adair St.), along with this subdivision there will be changes to the roadways and lane ways that will significantly impact the safety, crime and very nature of our neighbourhood.

Proposed Changes

Our understanding is the following changes are proposed:

1) Woodvale Dr. Through Road

Through road from Woodvale Dr. to Adair St., this likely means the removal of the existing barricades that currently prevents the vehicle through traffic.

2) Back Lane

Back lane along the North side of the new subdivision for 6823 Adair St. and 6833 Adair St. connecting to the new proposed Woodvale Dr. through road.

Community Concerns

These changes have significant impact on our neighbourhood, thus we were appalled when we learned about them, as there was no public hearing or community consultation to consider our concerns for these proposed changes. Our understanding is these changes were proposed as part of the new subdivision and it was assumed that the changes only affect the new subdivided lots, however, that is not true at all as the proposed changes will have a profound affect on our neighbourhood, the surrounding streets and many families attending Ecole Sperling Elementary School.

Specifically, our concerns are the following:

1) Safety

There are many families and children living on Woodvale Dr., Yeovil Pl., Yeovil Av. Karen St., Moore Av., Woodvale Cr., Adair St. and many other adjoining streets, thus these proposed changes will increase traffic to the area resulting in a less safe environment for our families. Many children play safely along the Woodvale Dr. non-through road and Yeovil Pl. without fear of through traffic zooming by the neighbourhood. Also there are currently no sidewalks and cars parked along the roads do not provide a safe space for people to walk if there are cars zipping by. In addition, the proposed back lane connecting to the proposed Woodvale Dr. through road would open up another connected path for people with malicious intent to hide and potentially prey on people walking by.

2) Ecole Sperling Elementary School

Ecole Sperling Elementary School is located right on Adair St. and this proposed Woodvale Dr. through road would intersect directly with the school. Due to the proximity to the school many families choose the Woodvale Dr. (non-through for vehicles) walking path as a way to safely walk their children to and from school, thus an increase in traffic will create a less safe environment for those school children and families. It is important to note that Ecole Sperling Elementary School has a French Immersion program that serves a larger catchment area than just the surrounding neighbourhoods for the English program, as a result there are more vehicles dropping off and picking up children than an English only school as some families have to drive from further away. With the proposed Woodvale Dr. through road the increased traffic congestion along Adair St., Woodvale Dr., Yeovil Pl., Yeovil Av. and Karen St. that will develop during school drop off and pick up times will be a nightmare for residents and parents alike. In addition, the proposed back lane connecting to the proposed Woodvale Dr. through road would open up another connected path for people with malicious intent to hide and potentially prey on children walking to and from school. There are already traffic and safety concerns from the school and families attending the school today, these new proposed changes (that will amplify the existing traffic and safety problems) will undoubtedly incite even more frustration.

3) Crime

It has been well reported by our neighbourhood to the RCMP from 2017 in to 2018 that we have experienced a high level of crime in the area. There have been multiple documented cases of home break & enter thefts, attempted break-ins and vandalism to property and vehicles. In most of the cases, the entrance and escape routes for the thieves were the roads and the connected back lanes. The opening of Woodvale Dr. through road will allow more traffic to pass through the area further increasing crime. This new connected roadway will give malicious people another path and easy escape route making our neighbourhood an even more attractive target for crime. In addition, the proposed back lane connecting to the proposed Woodvale Dr. through road would open up another connected path for thieves to hide, prey on unsuspecting people and escape easily.

4) Neighbourhood Preservation

Many families have moved in to the area because it is a quiet, safe, local only traffic non-through road, where we can raise our families and our kids can play safely without concerns of unknown vehicles driving through the neighbourhood. Local vehicles driven by neighbours know to drive slowly on the roads for the safety of the children and families in the neighbourhood, occasionally a non-local vehicle will mistakenly zoom quickly in to our neighbourhood searching for a through road and that is when will see fast, unsafe driving. The opening of the Woodvale Dr. through road would have a direct impact on the tranquility of the area and completely change the very nature of our neighbourhood that has existing for years and years.

5) Nature Preservation

On the West side of the 6823 Adair St. lot and in the direct path of the proposed Woodvale Dr. through road there stands 16 healthy 30-plus year old trees. If the Woodvale Dr. through road proceeds as planned that will mean these majestic trees will be cut down.

Alternative Solutions

Based on our above concerns we as a community are requesting that the City of Burnaby consider alternative solutions that can achieve the desired requirements for the subdivision while at the same time address our concerns around safety, crime and neighbourhood preservation. We believe the following alternative solutions could be a win-win situation where the community's concerns are addressed and the subdivision requirements are also met.

1) Woodvale Dr. Non-through Road with Barricade

Develop a Woodvale Dr. non-through road along the West side of the 6823 Adair St. lot by leaving up a barricade where Woodvale Dr. intersects with Adair St. (in line with the Southern boundary of the 6823 Adair St. lot) so there is no through road access for vehicles to in to Woodvale Dr. Essentially, this preserves the existing foot traffic only flow without allowing for vehicle traffic, as leaving a barricade up will still allow for foot traffic but ensures no vehicle traffic can pass between Adair St. and Woodvale Dr. This would address our community's concerns around safety, crime and neighbourhood preservation, and for the new subdivision of 6823 Adair St. and 6833 Adair St. this would still meet the requirement to have lane way access to their garages.

1a) Removable (Lockable) Lighted Bollards

One possible solution is using removable (lockable) lighted bollards as the barricade. Under normal circumstances the bollards would be installed and locked in place preventing vehicle through traffic while still allowing for foot traffic to pass through. If additional access to Woodvale Dr. is required by the City of Burnaby for extenuating circumstances (e.g. snow plow entry/exit for snow removal, etc.) then the bollards could be unlocked and removed temporarily to allow for this additional access. The lights on the bollards make it easier for vehicles to see them at night and also serve the purpose of illuminating the walkway in the evenings making for a safer walking path.

2) Traffic Safety Measures

We request that traffic safety measures such as a crosswalk and sidewalks be put in place to control traffic and make the road safer for our families and those attending Ecole Sperling Elementary School.

2a) Crosswalk

For school children and families to cross safely to/from school, it is imperative that a crosswalk be put in place across Adair St. where the Woodvale Dr. non-through road intersects Adair St.

2b) Sidewalks

Currently there are no sidewalks, thus we request that sidewalks be constructed along the Woodvale Dr. non-through road so children and families can walk safely to/from school.

3) West and East Lane Garage Access, Not North Back Lane Garage Access

In order to address the neighbourhood concerns of safety and crime introduced by a connected back lane, do not add a back lane along the North side of the new subdivision of 6823 Adair St. and 6833 Adair St. lots connecting to the new proposed Woodvale Dr. road. Instead, orient the 6823 Adair St. garage opening facing West, so that it can be accessed from the West via the Woodvale Dr. non-through road (proposed above in 1). Similarly, orient the 6833 Adair St. garage opening facing East, so that it can be accessed from the East via the existing back lane.

We believe that with the above alternative solutions, the new subdivision can still meet the City of Burnaby's requirements but it also addresses our community's concerns for safety, crime and neighbourhood preservation.

We hope that you hear the concerns of our community and that you consider these suggestions as a viable alternative solution that can be a win-win for all.

Sincerely,

Concerned Burnaby Community