Preliminary Results of CPTED Inspection June 2, 2010
(Thanks Jim for providing)

Meeting with City staff re: maintenance of Parkland adjacent to Solera, June 2, 2010

City staff:

• Beverly Munn (Diane Deans office)
• Patrick Legault (Planner, Parks Department)
• Cst McCoy (Police Department)
• Other staff including: Forestry Department, Surface Operations Department

Residents:

• Ann and John Rayner
• Marc Villeneuve
• Margo Blostein
• Jim Robertson

The purpose of the meeting was to run through a checklist for a “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design”. A description of this concept can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_prevention_through_environmental_design

City staff will provide a summary of recommendations they will be making.

Summary:
The walkway area to the north of Solera is a public park. Interestingly parks are officially closed between 11pm and 7am which provides extra enforcement possibilities if required.

The area between Solera and the walkways (both the east-west walkway as well as both sides of the short connecting walkway from Solera to the main walkway) is designated “Woodlot”. This was part of the subdivision approval for Solera as the land was a woodlot before it was developed. This means that the area between the walkway and the Solera houses backing on to the walkway are to be maintained in a “naturalized” state. I.E. no clearing of undergrowth, only cutting down of dead trees; tree trunks and large branches to remain and allowed to decay naturally.

There is a small berm (approx 1 foot in most cases, but higher to the east of the connecting walkway) alongside the walkway on the south side. This is part of the storm water management plan. In the event of a 100 year storm, the overflow water flowing north from Solera will pool in this area before running off into the storm drains. The berms have to be maintained.

The connecting walkway between Solera and the main walkway will have the dirt piles removed and the brush will be cleared back some 3 metres on each side.

The sight lines along the main walkway will be improved:

• Trees at the NW and NE corner of the intersection of the connecting walkway and the main walkway will be cut back to allow for a better view of the main walkway.
• Overhead branches will be cut back to a minimum 6 foot clearance.
• Tall weeds obscuring the view on the curving eastern sections of the main walkway will be cut and the berm might be adjusted slightly.

Other Items:

• The benches and play area in the semi circle on the western portion of the walkway (behind the last homes on Solera) have been removed due to misuse and abuse.
• Some individuals involved in the incident on Marlin Private have “moved on”
• As few, if any, skateboarders have been seen using the connecting walkway, it was felt that no changes to walkway should be done at this time, but it will be monitored.
• Margo Blostein suggested that the forestry people should perhaps check the woodlot from residents backyards as there seem to be some dead trees behind her’s and the neighbour’s houses that might have been missed. (#142 and #144)

Click image to enlarge