A split vote by Surrey council this month means "parking and walking enhancements" piloted along McBride Avenue in Crescent Beach last summer will remain for at least a little while longer.
Staff earlier this month recommended removing measures including temporary curbs that had been placed with an aim to reduce parking along the roadway and increase pedestrian access to its shoulder.
The steps were part of a concept developed by the city in response to a 2022 request from area residents for help addressing traffic and parking concerns.
However, staff say a gravel pathway that replaced segments of McBride that were previously used for parking was not as effective in bolstering pedestrian safety as hoped.
According to a corporate report, staff monitoring the changes over the summer observed people also walking along the actual roadway instead; particularly, pedestrians with beach buggies and strollers.
In addition, challenges with parking compliance by McBride Avenue residents was noted – some moved the temporary curbs and some parked illegally, particularly during peak evening and weekend periods.
"When vehicles were parked in the areas intended for walking, pedestrians were forced to use the roadway instead," the report notes, adding that pedestrians were also "generally unwilling" to cross the road when the path switched sides mid-block.
In discussing the staff recommendation to remove the measures, Coun. Pardeep Kooner said it would be "counter-intuitive" to do so, especially given council's recent decision "for public safety sake" to install fencing to block public access to the rail line.
Mayor Brenda Locke asked staff if removing the enhancements would address the issue of residents who are encroaching on city property to enhance their own.
Engineering general manager Scott Neuman said he suspects not.
"Reverting back… could result in residents falling back to their unfortunate bad habits," Neuman said.
The recommendation failed with Kooner and fellow councillors Rob Stutt, Harry Bains and Gordon Hepner opposed.
A motion by Kooner to send the matter back to staff to review the safety issues and look at additional parking solutions passed with councillors Linda Annis, Mike Bose and Doug Elford opposed.
In making that motion, Kooner noted that feedback on the pilot, gleaned through a city survey, mainly came from area residents and "not actual users."
The corporate report notes that of 194 responses to the survey, 189 came from Crescent Beach residents, including 21 who live along McBride. Of the McBride Avenue respondents, nearly two-thirds wanted the pilot removed, while one-quarter wanted the measures made permanent.
Out of the remaining 168 respondents, 38 per cent wanted permanent implementation, as well as a continuous paved pathway along one side of McBride; 34 per cent favoured removing the pilot; and 14 per cent wanted the pilot extended. The remaining 14 per cent of respondents had no opinion.
The report notes most local residents paid no heed to signs that were posted to advise of the parking limits, "limiting the overall effectiveness of the pilot project."
City staff predicted ongoing peak-hour traffic and pedestrian challenges will persist, adding if it does, council could consider construction of a continuous asphalt pathway along the north side of McBride. Such a step would reduce on-street parking by 10 to 15 spaces, the report notes.
Staff also suggested that any future changes considered for McBride not proceed without the support of at least 60 per cent of the fronting property owners.
Last summer's pilot project also included imposing two-hour parking limits on stretches of Sullivan and Beecher streets; adding wayfinding signage to Blackie Spit parking lots; new accessible walkways on Alexandra Street, Kidd Road and Wickson Road; and the addition of on-street parking fronting the vacant city lot at 12254 Beecher St.
Annis said she would "really welcome" staff exploring the possibility of opening that vacant lot for parking. Parks, recreation and culture general manager Laurie Cavan, noting the lot is "not graded or established for that purpose at this time," said the use would have to be looked at in the context of the future of the site.
There is no set timeline for staff to report back to council, however, city officials said Friday (Feb. 21) it's anticipated to happen before summer.
