SURREY - Town centres like Newton, Fleetwood and Cloverdale may soon look a bit different, following the city's reevaluation of their respective community plans.
On Monday, Surrey city council approved recommendations in a corporate report to review and update each of the city's town centre plans between now and 2016, with Newton, Fleetwood and Cloverdaleto be considered first. A second phase of the review is proposed to complete the Semiahmoo plan and develop a new plan for Guildford.Coun. Bruce Hayne stated that the review of the plans has been top of mind for the city."This is important work that we're going to be doing this year and I think it's time that we did it," Hayne said.The city's town centres review aims to enhance public safety, develop vibrant commercial and cultural centres, beautify neighbourhoods and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - all objectives of the city's sustainability charter.According to city staff, provisions from the Newton Town Centre plan haven't been fully implemented. The 10-page document specifically references undeveloped properties south of 72nd Avenue that have remained stagnant since the plan was approved in 1990.More development has been executed from Fleetwood and Cloverdale's plans, both approved in 2000, but the town centre at Fraser Highway and 160th Street has not been redeveloped as expected, and a number of significant changes in Cloverdale have not been updated in the current strategy."Many of Surrey's town centre plans are dated, and do not reflect current policy directions including rapid transit plans," reads one line from the document, stressing the importance of creating a strong transit network between the communities.The report references a joint transit study by the city and TransLink that identifies King George Boulevard, Fraser Highway as rapid transit corridors, taking into account the challenges with light rail transit (LRT), which Mayor Dianne Watts has pushed for."Surrey's clear advocacy for light rail requires a commitment to planning for sufficient density in town centres and urban design policies that facilitate pedestrian connections to transit infrastructure."The corporate report added that emphasizing town centre development supports the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, which sets a target of 40 per cent of all regional population and employment growth in urban centres.Residents from Newton, Fleetwood and Cloverdale will be able to provide input regarding the proposed town centre plans at open houses, all scheduled to take place in April and November. The city will also consult with local stakeholders, including business groups, community associations, non-profit agencies, advisory committees, chambers of commerce and historical societies.Citizens may also submit feedback through Surrey's CitySpeaks response form at cityspeaks.ca.jzinn@thenownewspaper.com