City to formalize how walkways can be closed

“We’ve had fairly informal processes that we’ve followed to close walkways,” Guidinger said. “I think it would be worth our time to discuss the opportunity to development something a little bit more formal.”

The proposed policy

Under the new policy, city staff would first meet with the applicant to discuss whether closing the passage was recommended based on a variety of factors, including its connection to community amenities. Staff would also investigate if other measures, like improved light or removal of tree branches, could be taken to improve safety.

Following that, an application, along with a $500 fee, could be submitted.

The city would then send out notice to people living within 200 meters of the path to gather feedback on the potential closure. Guidinger explained, while in the past residents who wanted to close a walkway brought petitions to council, the city wanted to move away from that approach to ensure affected residents got accurate information and weren’t unduly pressured by neighbours.

Finally, city administration would prepare a report on the potential closure to be considered by council and the fate of the walkway to a vote.

If approved, the applicant would be able to purchase the path at a cost of $1 per square foot. Guidinger told paNOW the price generally works out to between $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the size of the artery.

If denied, new applications to close the same pathway would not be considered for a period of three years.

Cost to applicants

Application fees and neighborhood consultation emerged as points of contention as council waded through the proposed policy.

Previously, there had been no charge to apply to close a walkway. Guidinger said $500 was being proposed as the new price because the amount of work required of city staff is similar to a discretionary use development permit, which the city also charges $500 for.

“I think the $500 is crazy,” Coun. Blake Edwards said, suggesting $250 was more appropriate. “We do lots of work for citizens in lots of other departments and we don’t charge a fee.”

Meanwhile Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp argued the amount of work staff have to do would be the same whether the application was approved by council or not. While the initial draft of the policy said the $500 fee could be put towards the purchase of the walkway if the application was approved, Lennox-Zepp garnered four additional votes from her colleagues to have that clause removed.

“Regardless whether the application is successful or if it’s denied by council, that’s the fee. That’s the cost of doing business,” she said.

Community consultation

Council also considered having notices sent to residents living within 800 meters (around eight blocks) of the walkway, instead of within 200 meters (approximately 2 blocks).

Mayor Greg Dionne was a strong supporter of seeing a broader area consulted.

“It’s the neighbourhood’s walkway, it’s not the person who lives beside it,” he said. “I’ve been studying and reading more. You look at these walkways on a map, lots of them connect to schools, Prime Ministers Park, rinks, community clubs.”

Ultimately councillors voted 5 to 4 to leave the radius at 200 meters with several arguing those living close to walkways are more significantly impacted by them.

The Walkway Closure Policy is not final until it’s passed at a regular council meeting.

Once approved, it’s likely to quickly be put to work. Councillors Blake Edwards and Dennis Ogrodnick both said they have residents in their wards ready to bring forward applications.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom

by Alison Sandstrom

City to formalize how walkways can be closed

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