STAFF REPORT: Polly Place Water Access

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: June 3, 2015 FROM: John Rosenberg MEETING DATE: June 9, 2015

Polly Place Water Access

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council receive the report on Polly Place Water Access and the survey of residents for information;

AND THAT Council direct the Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee to identify all priority locations for foreshore access;

AND FURTHER THAT the Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee determine the appropriate amenities for priority locations.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To provide the Committee of the Whole an update on the Polly Place foreshore access development.

BACKGROUND:

At the March 24, 2015 Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee Meeting, a recommendation was made to Council that staff be directed to mark the #49 Polly Place water access, off of Kingham Place, with signage and marking posts delineating the right-of-way.

In response, at the April 7, 2015 Council meeting, staff were directed to survey residents and bring forward a report to the Committee of the Whole regarding delineation of the #49 Polly Place water access off of Kingham Place with signage and marking posts; and that neighbours be notified of when the report is coming forward to the Committee of the Whole.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

The Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee have discussed the Rights of Way for water access throughout View Royal and have identified various priority locations.

The first location identified was the Town owned property on #49 Polly Place. On April 29, 2015, staff delivered a survey to each of the 44 neighbouring properties on Kingham Place asking two questions, to which 34 properties responded:

1. Generally speaking, are you in favour of marking/delineating public spaces to make residents aware of water access locations within the Town of View Royal; and
2. Are you in favour of marking/delineating water access to Polly Place

Concerns and comments included:

• More traffic
• No parking
• Safety – increased crime

While foreshore access should be, and is intended to be, available to the public, there are several issues that arise when a previously unmarked access is identified for public use. Residents located in proximity to the public access generally are not in favour of drawing attention to the public space available for all residents to utilize. However, if a space is to be identified, a hierarchy of accesses along with a cost and type of access should be formulated. Once a list is developed, local residents can be informed of the development intent, and comment on concerns prior to the project being considered for development.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

There is no budget allocated in 2015 for amenities at this location.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS:

There are no policy implications at this time.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the Polly Place water access be delineated;

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council receives the report on Polly Place Water Access and the survey of residents;

AND THAT Council direct the Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee to identify all priority locations for foreshore access;

AND FURTHER THAT the Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee determine the appropriate amenities for priority locations.

SUBMITTED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer