Surrey First Councillor Linda Annis introduced three notices of motions in Surrey council meeting aimed at resolving summer parking and traffic issues at Crescent Beach, fast-tracking applications for non-profit rental housing, and reducing City Hall’s financial pressures on the volunteer-run Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society.
“As we head into summer, we’re once again seeing traffic and parking issues at Crescent Beach, it’s like clockwork this time of year,” noted Annis. “These issues are regular and ongoing every year, and they’re only getting worse as the popularity of Crescent Beach continues to grow. The fact is, the neighbourhood was never designed for the sort of traffic and crowds we see today, and it’s about time we dealt with the issues in ways that accommodate residents and visitors alike.”
Annis wants city staff to come back to council with a “comprehensive plan” that provides options for council to consider going forward.
“For instance, can we work with TransLink and provide a special summer shuttle to Crescent Beach from park-and-ride lots, as one way to reduce the volume of traffic, and should we distribute resident-only park stickers that give residents a single parking spot in front of their home since many of the original homes do not even have driveways. We need to find a balance that provides easy public access to Crescent Beach while not turning the neighbourhood into a gridlocked parking lot every summer.”
The second notice of motion is aimed at fast-tracking development applications from non-profit organizations looking to build much-needed rental housing.
“When a not-for-profit organization in our community steps up with an offer to build much needed affordable rental accommodation, we should fast-track that application, and help out by reducing city charges that add costs that can make or break a not-for-profit development,” explained Annis.
Annis said her third notice of motion is aimed at helping the volunteer-based Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society come to an agreement with the city about its future. The society operates the popular seasonal heritage rail line between Cloverdale and Sullivan Station and the heritage rail museum.
