Seymour Valley Community Newsletter
August 21, 2002
Issue 6
info@seymourvalley.ca
Edited by Bill Maurer
Notice Board
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Contents
Seymour Local
Plan
Seymour Valley Addendum
1. Introduction
3. Managed Growth & Development
4. Housing & Schools
5. Transportation & Traffic
6. Natural Environment
7. Parks & Open Space
Upcoming Meetings
Active Issues
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Education
Neighbourhood Trivia Question of the Month
What is the name of the creek that connects Hogan's Pools with the Maplewood Farm Pond and what route does it follow? Click here for the answer.
The SVCA is now slowly becoming involved in the planning process. Although we still do not have any representatives on the SLP Residents Committee we have submitted an addendum to staff and the committee which contains the first draft of a long term vision for our community.
The current draft version of the Seymour Local Plan can be found on the district's website, at local libraries, and at the Community planning counter at District Hall. The Seymour Local Plan covers the area between Parkgate and the Seymour River north of the Seymour Parkway. The summer public education and input process has now been completed and draft 2 of the plan is under development by staff. A public hearing is scheduled to be held in the Sep / Oct timeframe although the specific date has not yet been set.
Please review the Seymour Valley Addendum below and submit comments and suggestions to ocp@seymourvalley.ca. The paragraphs in blue are proposed ammendments to the existing draft SLP. The layout of the addendum is the same as the district's Seymour Local Plan document to make it easy to merge the proposed changes into that document. Refer to the district's document to see items which are not included below.
Paragraphs in blue indicate proposed changes to Seymour Local Plan.
1.0 INTRODUCTIONIncrease the Seymour Local Plan boundaries to incorporate entire area serviced by Seymour Valley Community Association. This includes adding the properties to the north of the Seymour Parkway and south of Grantham and includes adding the properties west of the river and north of Grantham. Ie. Seymour Blvd, Seymour Court, Bow Court, Heritage Blvd, Grantham Place, Tanager Place, Parkhurst Road, and Hillary Place.
3.0 MANAGED GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Lot subdivision requires approval of the local community or community association which will assess based on environmental impact and character of the neighbourhood.
Riverside Terrace
Alter the primary access to this property to Browning Place and/or Alder Ave. Repatriate Hogans Pools into one contiguous Conservation Area by eliminating the current Riverside Terrace access road (aka Jordan St road allowance) from Riverside Drive. Restrict the development of this property to current zoning which is rs1 1 acre lots. Find a different parcel of land for a Seniors home in another part of Seymour or in one of the multi-family developments planned for Maplewood. Devlopment potential of this property is approximately 12 single family homes. Evaluate feasibility of an equestrian center to help maintain this rapidly disappearing aspect of the North Shore.
| Objective 4.1 | To maintain and protect existing, stable residential neighbourhoods and housing stock. |
| Policy 4.1.1 | Retain existing zoning in established residential neighbourhoods unless otherwise determined by the neighbourhood itself; ie Seymour Valley, Blueridge, Seymour Heights, McCartney Woods, Windsor Park, Dollarton, Cove Cliff (Map 4) |
| Objective 4.3 | Safeguard lands, natural and built assets for future generations |
| Policy 4.3.1 | Designate District land, suitable sites and other resources for long term housing needs of an aging population and future generations. |
| Implementation | |
| 4.3.1.3 | Riverside Terrace (Map 4) will be designated for further study as a potential future site for supportive housing, subject to environmental and transportation issues being addressed. |
|
Remove
or replace with: |
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| Modify section V of table to indicate 12 units for Riverside Terrace as per current zoning. | |
| Objective 5.1 | Identify and create alternative access options and facilitate changes to the major road network, in order to improve local conditions. |
| Policy 5.1.4 | Improve safety along major roads for local neighbourhood use. |
| Implementation | |
| 5.1.4.3 | Acknowledge sensitive nature of traffic speed on Riverside Drive and continue to monitor on a periodic basis. Establish community based speed reduction programs whenever speed levels become excessive. |
| 5.1.4.4 | Increase traffic and parking signage on Riverside Drive and add a Welcome sign and notice board near the Parkway. |
| Policy 5.1.6 | Facilitate the movement of goods in to and out of the community. |
| Implementation | |
| 5.1.6.2 | Restrict parking on Riverside Drive to one side to facilitate easier access of trucks, emergency vehicles, and street cleaners. |
| Objective 5.2 | A community-focused transportation system that is safe, equitable and inclusive for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. |
| Policy 5.2.2 | Continue to improve accessibility to public transit services, including the provision of alternative transit models. |
| Implementation | |
| 5.2.2.2 | Investigate feasibility of shuttle bus service to Chapman Way if available. |
| 5.2.2.3 | Add lighting to trail connecting Rivergrove Place to Blueridge. This trail is the only way for upper Seymour Valley residents to presently access the nearest bus services which are available on Berkley. This trail is not usable at night unless residents bring a flashlight with them. |
| Policy 5.2.3 | Continue to improve the circulation system and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. |
| Implementation | |
| 5.2.3.4 |
Install bike rack near bus stop at Riverside and the Parkway to facilitate Bike and Ride for children, teens, and adult residents. |
| 5.2.3.5 | Acknowledge use of Riverside Drive by mountain bikers to access Mountain Bike Trails in the LSCR. |
| 5.2.3.6 | Create cement sidewalks along Riverside Drive |
| 5.2.3.7 | Add a sidewalk to the east side of Riverside from the Parkway to Swinburne. |
| Policy 5.2.4 | Minimize the impact on local neighbourhoods of traffic destined for District and Regional facilities located in Seymour. |
| Implementation | |
| 5.2.4.3 | Maintain existing resident only parking restrictions in the summer months May 15 to Sep 15. |
| 5.2.4.4 | Extend parking restrictions to the bottom of Riverside drive in summer months. |
| Objective 6.3 | To preserve, restore and enhance natural areas, key habitats and other special areas. |
| Policy 6.3.2 | Preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and corridors. |
| Implementation | |
| 6.3.2.1 | Provide a protected wildlife corridor from the Mountain Forest to the Maplewood mudflats. |
| 6.3.2.4 | Establish complete Canyon Creek wildlife corridor on both the east and west sides of the Seymour Valley. This provides a corridor between Hyannis Point and Hogans Pools to the east and upper Lilloet road to the parkway on the west. This includes passing NPL zoning for lots identified in Bylaw 6970 ammendments. This also includes establishing NPL zoning for lots 2L05 – P2536, 2L05 – P2076, 2L05 – P20696, and an area under the BC Hydro R/W to the west directly across the river from Swinburne ave which is not currently zoned as NPL. |
| 6.3.2.5 | Establish Seymour River as a fish corridor. Note: Current plan indicates this is a wildlife corridor. Wildlife (mammals) cannot use the Seymour River Canyon for travel. |
| Policy 6.3.3 | Protect the forested character of Seymour. |
| Implementation | |
| 6.3.3.1 | Protect, and allow to remain undisturbed, tracts of wilderness to preserve the overall forested character of Seymour and support present wildlife habitats. |
| 6.3.3.3 | Preserve undeveloped forest areas of Mountain and Cove Forests as natural park. |
| 6.3.3.5 | Developer and tree companies will conform to required standards for tree protection and preservation in accordance with the District Environmental Protection and Preservation Bylaw (EPPB). |
| 6.3.3.6 | Continue to ensure effective protection of trees during land development activities in accordance with the District Environmental Protection and Preservation Bylaw (EPPB). |
| Objective 6.4 | To protect development from natural hazards. |
| Policy 6.4.2 | Work with other jurisdictions and owners to protect development near areas of steep slopes |
| Implementation | |
| 6.4.2.1 | Examine the feasibility of a DNV-Provincial Government land exchange agreement to achieve objectives relating to the protection of steep slopes along Riverside Drive. |
| Objective 7.1 | Identify and protect areas having biophysical, environmental, recreational, or historical value. | |
| Policy 7.1.2 | Promote environmental protection through the responsible management of recreational access to Seymour's trails, wilderness and waterfront. | |
| 7.1.2.2 | Acknowledge the environmental importance and sensitivity of Hogan's Pools as a natural area and limit access through designated trails as described in the Hogan's Pools Park Environmental Inventory and Park Concept Plan. | |
| Objective 7.2 | Create linkages between neighbourhoods, parks, community/recreation centres, schools and shopping areas through interconnected parks, warterways and green space. | |
| Policy 7.2.1 | Provide connections necessary to complete existing trail systems, respecting environmental considerations and regulations. | |
|
Implementation |
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| 7.2.1.3 | Upgrade the existing Baden-Powell Trail connecting Deep Cove to Grouse Mountain and continue to implement the guidelines of the Baden Powell Trail Study. DNV Parks to consult with trail users to identify priority sections for improvement on a regular basis. | |
| 7.2.1.8 | Create connecting trails so that the entire Seymour Valley can be circumnavigated via the Canyon Creek corridor. | |
| 7.2.1.9 | Upgrade the steep sections of the trail connecting Rivergrove Place to Berkley by adding more steps. | |
| Objective 7.3 | Maintain and enhance existing park facilities and amenities and plan for new ones to meet current and future park and open space needs | |
| Policy 7.3.1 | Maintain and upgrade Seymour's existing parks, trails and open spaces to continue to meet users' needs. | |
| Implementation | ||
| 7.3.1.9 | Investigate a suitable park location and create a playground in the Seymour Valley. | |
| Policy 7.3.2 | Identify opportunities for future park, trail or open space development and enhancement, while respecting environmental concerns and regulations. | |
| Implementation | ||
| 7.3.2.1 | Provide year-round access to Pool 88 in the Seymour River and to the stairway leading to the pool. | |
| Replace
with: Maintain May 15 – Sep 15 closure of access to Pool 88. Enhance / rebuild trail from Baden Powell Trail to west side of Pool 88 / 99. Create parking on Lilloet road where BP Trail intersects it. This will form the summer access to Pool 88 / 99 without impacting the residential character of the upper Riverside Drive area. |
||
| Objective 7.4 | Improve access and enjoyment for trail and park users while minimizing impacts on local areas. | |
| Policy 7.4.2 | Provide sufficient and appropriate parking and amenities to meet park and trail users' needs and protect the surrounding neighbourhoods. | |
| 7.4.2.3 | In consultation with the surrounding neighbourhood and trail users examine issues and potential solutions to providing parking for access to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve from the top of Riverside Drive. | |
Replace
with: |
||
| 7.4.2.6 | Maintain informal parking at entrance to Riverside across from Hogans Pools currently used mainly by mountain bikers accessing LSCR via Riverside. |
| Sep 3rd | First post-summer Regular Council Meeting |
| Sep 4th | SVCA Executive Meeting |
| Sep 7th | Cates Park Beach Cleanup |
| Sep 8th | Cates Park to Panorama Park Waterfront Walk |
| Sep 19th | Public
Hearing - Bylaw 6970 - Amendments to Park, Recreation & Open Space Zone and New Park Zones |
| Sep 19th | Bear Network Meeting |
| Sep 19th | FONVCA Meeting |
| Issue | Contact | Phone | Email List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Calming | Harry McGucken | 604-929-6586 | speedhumps@seymourvalley.ca |
| SVCA Organization | Bill Maurer | 604-929-9442 | svca@seymourvalley.ca |
| Bear Awareness | Barbara Murray | 604-924-0807 | bears@seymourvalley.ca |
| Block Watch | Glen Parker | 604-929-8450 | blockwatch@seymourvalley.ca |
| LSCR Monitoring and Advisory Committee | Willy Schuurman | 604-924-3704 | lscr@seymourvalley.ca |
| Seymour Local Plan | Bill Maurer | 604-929-9442 | ocp@seymourvalley.ca |
If you have any neighbourhood issue you are interested in becoming the contact for then get it added to the issues list and keep people informed or get them involved in the cause. You can do this by sending an email to issues@seymourvalley.ca or calling me at 929-9442.
Note that each issue has its own mailing list which contains all email messages sent to the Email List address. You can either view the messages via a web browser or you can subscribe to one or more lists and the messages will be forwarded to you as they arrive.
Lower Seymour
Conservation Reserve Education
The Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve has
an excellent education program designed to promote an understanding and
appreciation of the ecology of Seymour watershed and its multiple uses.
Programs are designed to develop knowledge, awareness, respect and
enjoyment which leads to a sense of responsibility for our natural
ecosystem. Take advantage of these affordable workshops and lecturers in
your extended backyard.
For more information
and registration, see LSCR
Education
FALL
2002 Weekend Workshops
Digging
Through Time
September 14 : 1 pm - 4 pm : Cost ~ Adult
$5.00; Children & Seniors $3.00; Family $10.00
Bob Muckle - Capilano College Social Sciences, will share what he and his
student archaeologists have uncovered in an active dig right here in the
LSCR.
Photography
Fieldtrip
September 21 : 10 am - 2 pm : Cost $5
Come along on this fieldtrip for natural photography opportunities in the
LSCR. We will take you and all your photo gear to remote places to capture
spectacular images.
Mushroom
Mania
October 19 : 10 am - 1 pm : Cost ~ Adult
$5.00; Children & Seniors $3.00; Family $10.00
October is mushroom season! Come on our mushroom hunt to learn how to
identify edible, poisonous and interesting species of forest fungus.
FALL
2002 Evening Lectures
The
Seymour Valley Archaeology Project
Bob Muckle ~ Archaeologist, Author, Consultant, Capilano College Social
Sciences Instructor
September 18 : 7 pm - 9 pm
For the past three summers, archaeologists directed by Capilano College's
Bob Muckle have been documenting the remains left by loggers and settlers
in the LSCR. This illustrated lecture will focus on the results of
excavations at an early 20th century logging camp; showing how broken
bottles, rusty nails, dirty dishes, and other types of garbage allow
glimpses into camp life. The lecture will also describe the remains of an
early settlement along the banks of the Seymour River and describe how
people and nature have impacted the remains at the camp and the settlement
in recent decades.
The Evolution of West Coast Ecology
Dr. Keith Wade ~ Ecologist, Naturalist, Bio-geographer, Capilano College
Biology Department Instructor
September 26 : 7 pm - 9 pm
Ecologist, bio-geographer and naturalist Dr. Keith Wade is one of BC's
leading experts on old-growth forests. An explorer of local and global
forests and natural ecosystems, Keith will apply the depth of his
knowledge and insight to the evolution of North America's coastal
temperate ecosystem. Although diverse by Canadian standards, this coastal
ecosystem is young, relatively undeveloped, and still in its infancy when
compared to tropical ecosystems.
Spotted Owl Research
Ian Blackburn ~ Rare & Endangered Species Biologist
October 16 : 7 pm - 9 pm
Fear over its existence has incited rallies, garnered international
attention, and even caused people to tie themselves to trees. For almost 2
decades, the endangered northern spotted owl has been perched as an icon
on the delicate balance between the use and preservation of temperate
old-growth ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. Ian Blackburn, Rare &
Endangered Species Biologist for the Ministry of Water, Land & Air
Protection will share with us an update on his current research;
highlighting the owls' current status in southern BC, impacts of human
growth and development, and current and future management plans.