COUNCIL REPORT: SIDEWALK EXTENSION REQUEST – CONARD STREET

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council
DATE: September 24, 2025
FROM: Ivan Leung, P.Eng, Director of Engineering
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2025

SIDEWALK EXTENSION REQUEST – CONARD STREET

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council authorize staff to extend the sidewalk on Conard Street, between 21 Conard Street and 4 Helmcken Road, at a cost of $15,000, to be funded from the Community Amenity Reserve Funds;

AND THAT staff work with the developer for 4 Helmcken Road to coordinate installation of the extended sidewalk.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

Option #2: Council can reject the staff recommendation. However, doing so will leave an awkward gap in the sidewalk network that results from the development of the 4 Helmcken Road “SSMUH” development.
Option #3: Council can direct staff to install a cheaper asphalt sidewalk extension instead, as a temporary measure until future development occurs along the Conard Street corridor.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Council to close a gap in the sidewalk system on Conard Street that results from the development of the 4 Helmcken Road Small Scale Multi-Family Unit Housing (“SSMUH”) project, which is expected to be developed shortly.

BACKGROUND:

The 4 Helmcken Road SSMUH development is required to install concrete sidewalks fronting its property in accordance with Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 985.

Consequently, there will be a 14m gap between this new sidewalk and the existing sidewalk located along the frontage of 21 Conard Street. This gap fronts 6 Helmcken Road, and there are currently no development plans for this property.

Staff recommend that this small gap be closed by extending the new sidewalk to connect with the existing sidewalk at 21 Conard Street. Staff would also recommend working with the 4 Helmcken Road development to extend the sidewalk at the time of their construction works.

The cost to extend the sidewalk was estimated to be approximately $12,000. Staff recommend a budget of $15,000 to complete the works.

ANALYSIS:

Category	Impact and Implications
Community Impact:	The gap in the sidewalk network is awkward in nature as it leaves a small unformalized area that can see conflicts between the pedestrian realm and on street parking use. The neighbourhood may benefit from this work by enhancing pedestrian safety and supporting a pedestrian link that exists between Burnside Road and Conard Street (and further enhanced by the future Burnside Road sidewalk upgrades).
Financial Implication:	Staff recommend drawing from Community Amenity Reserve Funds to fund the work. Usage is in alignment with the Community Amenity Contribution Policy 6400-041 in that the funds are to address the needs of a changing community resulting from development. Furthermore, previous developments in the neighbourhood would have likely provided Community Amenity Reserve Contributions, so usage of this fund is indicative of Section 1.3 of the Policy. Should Council wish to limit the usage of the funds, Council can consider using other reserves, or reduce the construction costs by installing asphalt sidewalks instead of concrete sidewalks.

Category

Impact and Implications

Community Impact:

The gap in the sidewalk network is awkward in nature as it leaves a small unformalized area that can see conflicts between the pedestrian realm and on street parking use. The neighbourhood may benefit from this work by enhancing pedestrian safety and supporting a pedestrian link that exists between Burnside Road and Conard Street (and further enhanced by the future Burnside Road sidewalk upgrades).

Financial Implication:

Staff recommend drawing from Community Amenity Reserve Funds to fund the work. Usage is in alignment with the Community Amenity Contribution Policy 6400-041 in that the funds are to address the needs of a changing community resulting from development. Furthermore, previous developments in the neighbourhood would have likely provided Community Amenity Reserve Contributions, so usage of this fund is indicative of Section 1.3 of the Policy.

Should Council wish to limit the usage of the funds, Council can consider using other reserves, or reduce the construction costs by installing asphalt sidewalks instead of concrete sidewalks.

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

Document Type	Alignment
Strategic Plan:	Strategic Priority A, Goal 1 – Enhance Livability: Shift primary transport mode within View Royal away from vehicles to walking, cycling and transit.
Other Policy Documents:	Active Transportation Network Plan: closing gaps in the pedestrian network is a common theme identified throughout the document. The sidewalk will provide improved connectivity and pedestrian relief from Burnside Road: a corridor considered a priority to be improved in the document and supported by the Financial Plan.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

[x] Inform
[ ] Consult
[ ] Involve
[ ] Collaborate
[ ] Empower
[ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

It is important to obtain Council direction prior to the 4 Helmcken development entering the construction phase of the project.

CONCURRENCE:

Position	Initials	Comments
Chief Administrative Officer	SS	I concur with the recommendation.

REVIEWED BY:

Position	Initials
Director of Corporate Administration/Deputy CAO	N/R
Director of Finance & Technology
Director of Development Services	N/R
Director of Engineering	IL
Director of Protective Services	N/R