The Steveston Village we all know and love wont be changing just quite yet.
Plans for amendments to maximum building height allowances, density and parking for the village core, as well as a new long-term streetscape vision for Chatham and Bayview streets, were tabled Wednesday at city hall, pending more research and a clearer proposal by staff.
Terry Crowe, policy planning division manager for the city, presented recommendations to restrict a portion of new developments on Moncton Street to two stories, and the south side of Bayview Street to two and two and a half stories, with exceptions.
Coun. Bill McNulty, however, said the proposal leaves too much room for interpretation.
With some potential for two and a half stories its vague. The door is wide open. The wording is not tight, in my opinion, said McNulty, adding in his experience developers will always ask for the exception when given the option.
Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt, on the other hand, said she felt the report reflected the changes towards shorter buildings that residents have been asking for and quite liked what the report was recommending.
There was some confusion over what exactly the word streetscape meant, which staff defined as all the elements comprising a street including the road, sidewalk and adjoining buildings.
Transportation director Victor Wei outlined various future options for Chatham and Bayview including increasing the amount of parking spaces and pedestrian crossings, introducing curb bulges to discourage speeding and widening sidewalks. Coun. Harold Steves was opposed to enlarging sidewalks for Bayview and said his previous suggestion of getting rid of all the traffic on the street in lieu of using the tram for transportation had gone unanswered.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to voice their opinions, with many comments suggesting that the streets simply be left alone.
