The Town of Ladysmith is looking to implement more bike lanes and pedestrian amenities in accordance with the new official community plan.
At a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16, council members discussed a submission from Coun. Marsh Stevens which looks at the possibility of adding pedestrian corridors and “shortcuts” in new subdivisions.
Stevens mentioned talking to residents in the south end of town who can see their friends’ home from their own, yet they still have to drive to visit them due to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure.
He hoped to obtain a report from staff to see if it was possible to get the tools required to negotiate with owners of developing parcels to set aside land for active transportation, so people can “walk from one side [of their neighbourhoods] to the other, without getting in their car.”
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Director of development services Jake Belobaba said a short-term priority noted in the town’s new official community plan is a recommendation for council to amend the subdivision and development bylaw to “reflect more progressive standards for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.” If the bylaw subdivision control is amended, bike lanes could be a requirement for certain subdivision applications.
“It’s important to move on active transportation whenever possible – because once it’s built you can’t necessarily take away from somebody’s subdivided lot – to provide the access that’s really necessary,” said Mayor Aaron Stone. “If we don’t have those adequate standards in place now, we’re missing those opportunities and they only become harder in the long run.”
The committee unanimously voted to pass a motion for staff members to create a report with more details about a potential bylaw that will be discussed at a future meeting.
bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
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