Directors present: Andrew, Rona, Jim, Beryl.
Alexandra Neighbourhood House
1) Call to Order: 7:35 PM
2) Presentations: 2:1) Jamie Boan, Transportation Manager, -
opened by recognizing that Crescent Beach is a unique situation within the City
which is why, for traffic control, speed humps are being progressively installed,
in addition to the 30 KPH speed limit throughout the village. Some 20 speed
humps have been installed, extras having been added, with the potential to do
more as the drainage and paving projects proceed.
From the floor, having speed humps on
Gilley has made a noticeable difference reducing vehicles speeding.
Jamie then went on to say that the speed
studies that were done showed an average speed of 35 to 38 KPH, which, together
with the statistics showing no serious major injury events, do not provide sufficient
relative need, within the overall City road safety priorities to add more
traffic control measures in Crescent Beach.
This raised immediate impassioned commentary from the floor –
it’s not just a matter of statistics and average speed, some buses are
travelling at up to 80 Km per hour and vehicles fly around on the main drags. Someone is going to be seriously hurt. In busy
visitor times, with cars parked all along the sides of the streets, families,
with all their gear walk along the black top right next to the passing cars,
many of which do not slow down. It’s always the same story when we try to push
for improvements to reduce speeding – we keep running into no will from City
Staff.
From the floor why can’t we have speed humps installed on
Sullivan St, which is the main thoroughfare and where we see lots of speeding?
In response, - because it is a key route for fire trucks and the Fire Service
do not want speed humps on collector roads as it slows down their response
times. Some 10 years ago, with respect to this, Transportation went to Council
and a by-law was enacted excluding collector roads from having speed humps
installed.
Now, if the Crescent Beach community wants to have the
conversation that Fire Service response times can be slightly longer through
having speed humps on Sullivan Street for improved safety and lower pedestrian
risk - - - then would have to go to Council with any change because this would
be in non-compliance to policy. Councillor Annis suggested – Staff should have
the Fire Service in to meet and have that discussion with respect to the
collector roads in Crescent Beach.
Back in 2017, there was talk of installing a mini island, on
a trial basis to replace a four way stop. In this way there is something which
physically slows a vehicle down, rather than relying solely on the driver responding
to a sign to slow or stop. Jamie responded that there is not much room and one
has to consider large vehicles which means the button could be very small and
likely not effective.
The conversations went back and forth along these lines –
more signs, signs don’t work, too many signs already, etc. etc.
It was then asked – is there a way we can come together
through using a process? Something that brings all the information together for
collective understanding and then we all work together towards trying improvements
for traffic calming, rather than this perpetual, sporadic, talking at each
other.
It was decided that the CBPOA would put together a small
group, (3, 4, or 5), and meet with the Transportation folks in the offices at
City Hall and use a process where we can all come together on these questions
and develop something towards mitigating the issues, and something that can be
used with City Hall.
In answer to a question, the traffic island at the top of the
hill at Crescent Road and 128th St is still in the City 10 year
plan. It hasn’t moved any closer in the last three years owing to cost over-runs
in project executions pushing project plans out in time.
2:2) Jamie then moved on to talk about the railroad and the
fence, working towards whistle cessation.
Earlier in the day, Councillor Annis and Jamie Boan had met
with BNSF and agreement reached on the
full design for the fence and its installation back from the road, (between the
rails and a ditch back there), to allow the City to manage part of the real
estate for resident parking. The next step is for the BNSF Real Estate Branch
to put together the lease for the railroad land and the draft terms are
expected in 3 to 5 weeks. March 31st is the deadline for completion
of the fence, (availability of Federal funds).
Will the fence be chain link? Yes, with black infill which blends best with
the surroundings and the vegetation will then grow in. Gail said she has found
low maintenance options to chain link and she wishes to share these with the City
– should provide them to Tindi who will be managing the fence installation
project.
From the various resident meetings, trespass on the line is a
major safety concern. What is the status of the various safety warning signs
and directing the proper way to go signs that were discussed? Jamie responded
that the designs are done and he is chasing up having them made. Can the BNSF
police be encouraged to ticket more?
In answer to a question about the crossing arms – these are
fully railroad owned and maintained.
Jamie was thanked with a round of applause.
2:3) Tindi Sekhon, Project Manager for the Drainage and
Paving Project.
The drainage improvement work is now in O’Hara Lane and this
is the last segment for 2019. We are through the archeological part and targeting
the main work to be complete by the end of November with just some tidy up and
landscaping into December.
There will be no construction work in 2020.
The project went well this year, and we recognize the big
issue for residents caused by the dust. Dust control was a big challenge – the
contractor bid the job on milling the entire road surface and this was driven
by the contractors being so busy and being available to do the job.
From the floor, we really commend the crews, if the work was
stopped at one place they moved to another location. The flag people were
excellent.
Questions were raised about the durability of the asphalt
curbs. In response, this is recognized as an ongoing maintenance requirement. Concrete
curbs will not fit the aesthetic of the village. What about roll over swales in
concrete; sufficient to direct the surface water to the drains and blended into
the properties? In response, when we’re
to the 50% point of the design for the next phase we can get together and
discuss curbs/swales.
The question was asked – what is the next phase of the
project. Tindi committed to respond when he had talked to Engineering.
Tindi was thanked with a round of applause.
[Following the meeting Tindi spoke with Carrie Baron and
provided the following: The plan
for the next few years is to work on Phase 3 drainage works which
includes:
- Sullivan St from Beecher St to
the end of Sullivan St,
- O’Hara Lane from Sullivan St to
Alexandra Lane,
- Alexandra Lane from O’Hara Lane
to McBride Ave, and
- McBride Ave from Alexandra Lane
to Sullivan St
The Phase 3 design work starts in January 2020 and
construction is planned for 2022.]
3) Adoption of the September 4th,
2019, General meeting Minutes. Proposed Gail,
Seconded Jim. All in favor.
4) Matters arising from the
minutes: None
5) Directors’ Reports. Treasurer.
Jim reported as of September 30th, $11K in the bank account
and $44K in various term deposits. Proposed Derrick Seconded Rona. All in favor.
6) Correspondence and Updates.
6:1) The
Church Property
·
In
September the Star of the Sea published an Ad in the Peace Arch News –
“Heritage Building Reuse and Residential Development Property.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS”
·
Beryl
obtained a copy of the RFP.
From the RFP
document:
The Star of
the Sea owns four properties, totaling 0.55 acres. The site includes a 210 sq m
wood framed church, built in 1946 which is a “Registered Property” on the
Surrey Heritage Register, which recognizes its heritage significance and makes
it eligible for inclusion in certain incentive programs but does not protect
it.
The City
would like the building retained on this site or elsewhere in the Crescent
Beach area and are willing to consider land use approvals and variances for the
site to allow higher economic use of the site in exchange for long term
retention of the building.
The Parish
wishes to complete the sale of the site by early 2020.
Process and
Timing.
1)
Parish
receives and reviews Proposals to acquire ownership of the site and building
redevelopment purposes.
November 29, 2019
2)
Parish
selects preferred proponents, then negotiates and enters into purchase and sale
agreement(s), conditional on securing terms of a Heritage Revitalization
Agreement including terms for land use applications/variances.
January 2020
3)
Proponent(s)
leads and completes negotiations with the City of Surrey on terms of a Heritage
Agreement including terms for land use approvals/variances with involvement of
Parish, conditions removed and purchase and sale(s) are completed. Early 2020
4)
Purchaser(s)
applies for and obtains all necessary land use and other approvals and enters
into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement to proceed with planned development.
While not preferred, the Parish will consider offers that are conditional
on Council’s third reading of land use and other approvals and/or a Heritage
Revitalization Agreement for the planned development.
Enquiries: Please direct all enquiries to the Parish’s consultant Steve
Zuliani.
There was someone present at the church location on October 16th
for those who wished to view the property.
Concern and
unease was expressed from the floor about what the trade-offs might be, through
the use of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement, in terms of density, set-backs,
bylaws, building heights, etc. not sympathetic with the Beecher St. character,
and how this could become the thin edge of the wedge for the village as a
whole.
It was
decided to set up a small working group to gather information on this on behalf
of the CBPOA. . Beryl, as a Director at Large undertook to coordinate a small
working group – those interested should please e-mail Beryl at kirk_beryl@yahoo.com (kirk underscore beryl@yahoo.com).
Terms of
reference: This working group,
coordinated by Beryl, is charged with looking into the matter and reporting
back to the membership. Proposed by Art,
Seconded by Wendy. All in favor.
A letter
will be sent to the City Community Planning Manager stating the CBPOA interest
in this matter and introducing Beryl and her group working on behalf of the
CBPOA.
6:2) Save Station. Karen
McPherson, in her capacity as Chief Executive Officer for the St. John
Ambulance contacted us stating that they are proposing to install a publically
accessible Save Station at Crescent Beach. A Save Station includes – an
automated Defibrillator, (AED), - a Naloxone Kit and – a Stop the Bleed
Kit.
This was enthusiastically supported by the members.
6:3) Seasonal lights. David Sadler, Community Enhancement Planner for
the City, contacted us the first week of October with a proposal to trunk wrap
seasonal lights on the large oak tree at Beecher Place. Your Directors
encouraged David to go ahead as he needed to order the lights in time for installation
in November. The lights were installed this week, with switch on after November
11th, and this year there will be seasonal lights visible down
Beecher St. and along the promenade.
This was enthusiastically received by the members.
6:4) Rail Safety. As many of you
know, there is a new Rail Safety Relocation web site and newsletter.
The web
address is railrelocation.ca
The
October newsletter includes the stopped train statistics figure compiled by
Erik.
6:5) Thefts. There was a car
break-in Oct 20th on O’Hara Lane and one of the smaller construction
machines was broken into on Target the previous Friday – punching the lock in.
6:6) Paddle Board Hut. Contacted Sukhi Bahia, back on October 11th
- He was told by the operator that it would be moved out the next week. Contacted Sukhi again on October 30th. The hut is still there.
6:7) The Sports Box. Hugh Norris, Park Facility Operations Manager
sent an update. Staff met with members of the local community in early October
and consensus was reached on sport court use times. Early next Spring a sign
will be posted indicating the maximum time for each sport is 45 minutes.
6:8) Beecher Place. The repairs
are complete. There will be an open house tomorrow afternoon from 3 to 6 and
refreshments will be served.
7)
The Secretary position.
Andrew announced that Liz
Bensted has volunteered to take up the position of Secretary. Andrew asked if
there were any volunteers from the floor.
In the absence of any further
volunteers, by acclamation, Liz
Bensted is appointed Director and Secretary for 2020/21
8)
New business 8:1) Christmas Mingle on December 4th
at Alexandra Neighbourhood House.
Rona, Pilar and Sarah
volunteered to help organize the event, working with Robert.
You are reminded to bring your favorite appies
and desserts.
8:2) The new bus schedule. Bob informed the meeting about the
changes coming to the bus service in the Fall of 2020.
351 bus Currently, 93% of the ridership is on 152 St
to Surrey Park and ride, 7% on 16th Ave, 128th St and
into Crescent Beach. There has been 17% growth in ridership in the last 3
years.
The coming arrangement in the
fall of 2020 will be:
The 351 will be 100 passenger
double decker buses terminating at White Rock Centre.
There will be a 350 standard full size bus to/from
Crescent Beach to/from White Rock Centre beginning before the first 351 and
ending after the last 351.
The 352 rush hour bus will have
an expanded schedule 4:45 to 8:30 AM and 3:30 to 7 PM.
No double decker buses will come
to Crescent Beach.
9)
Motion to adjourn. Proposed: Rees Seconded: Jim
Meeting adjourned
The Blackie Spit Preservation
Society AGM followed the CBPOA meeting.
David Grant explained that given
there has been no recent activity or suggested projects concerning the
foreshore, the Directors are recommending that the Society not file the BC
annual report for the next two years and then allow the Society charter to be
dissolved by the BC Corporations Branch. This step to be confirmed at the next
two annual meetings.
A motion to this effect was
passed.
In the event of any risk of potential
harm to the foreshore, the Friends of Semiahmoo Bay would certainly object and
they have charitable status through the Federation of BC Naturalists.
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