Editor: Re: Council endorses traffic plan for Sapperton, Record, July 12.
The city engaged in a process for over a year in which they solicited feedback in public forums and focus group sessions from McBride-Sapperton and Massey Heights residents on transportation-related issues in this area of the city. One member of the McBride-Sapperton Residents Association executive and association resident and business representatives participated in focused stakeholder-feedback sessions with city staff in charge of the plan’s development. Based on this feedback, the city has a number of recommendations for traffic and parking management, as well as other forms of transportation. There are items in the plan that were not supported by our participants and have a negative impact.
Given the fluid nature of the some of these projects, such as the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment, the city acknowledges that some of the initiatives in the plan will need to be revisited in a few years to respond to changing street conditions. This includes the unknowns involved in the RCH redevelopment along Sherbrooke Street and the Brunette Interchange project.
McBride-Sapperton Residents Association had a public meeting in November 2016 where information was gathered. We were told we would have the collated feedback by February 2017. Since then there was a change of government, and we have yet to hear back what is going to happen with the Brunette Interchange Project. Whatever project is proposed will impact Sapperton, and we had strong opposition from over 100 residents towards two of the three options.
Traffic is a constant source of concern and discussion at residents association meetings, and the primary concern for the association is resident safety in an area that is besieged by traffic from all sides. City staff will be invited to speak to the association at our next meeting on Sept. 18, at which time we hope the details of the plan will be shared with residents and any concerns addressed.
Dee Beattie, acting president, McBride-Sapperton Residents Association
