[0:00] Okay, I think we'll get going. It's uh [0:02] 10:03 by my clock. [clears throat] [0:05] Um [0:08] first of all, uh I'd like to [0:09] respectfully acknowledge that we are [0:11] meeting today on the traditional [0:12] territories of the Vasanish people [0:15] comprising the Saudin [0:19] and Malahhat First Nations who have [0:21] lived on a steward of the Sanish [0:23] Peninsula since time and memorial. [0:29] First item on the agenda is approval of [0:31] the agenda. [0:32] It's been circulated. Can I have a [0:34] motion to approve it? [0:37] Councelor Batista. [0:40] » Agenda. [0:41] » Oh, that's right. Yeah. Um, [0:44] sorry, Councelor Batista. I um I forgot [0:48] that we're moving uh item number eight [0:51] up after 4 A. So, it'll be u I guess [0:55] we'll call it five and move the other [0:57] ones down. It'll still be the same. [0:59] » Okay. [1:00] » So, so what is it? 8A. [1:01] » Uh 8A because the uh people who are [1:03] presenting um would like to leave after [1:07] the presentation. [1:08] » Okay. [1:11] » Okay. May I entertain a motion uh to [1:13] approve the agenda as what have I done [1:16] now? [1:16] » Oh, you're doing great. I think [1:18] » It Okay. Sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. So, [1:22] yes. [1:23] » Oh, I just wanted to uh add to the [1:25] agenda. um looking for and and [1:27] discussing the um accessible parking um [1:31] zoning bylaw at North Sanage just to [1:33] kind of uh give a a background and [1:38] looking for an update on that. [1:40] » Okay. [1:42] » Do we um make that [1:44] » Should we just put it in after the [1:46] Wayne? [1:48] » Yes, we'll make item 18. [1:53] » Now we're good. Seeing no more changes, [1:55] I'll entertain a motion to approve the [1:57] agenda as uh amended. [2:00] All Charlene me second. [2:05] All in favor? [2:08] Carried. [2:10] Uh approval of the minutes. I did note [2:14] one uh spelling error [2:17] that changes [clears throat] the meaning [2:18] a little bit. So I'll mention that in [2:21] 22C [2:23] um the word accessibly [2:26] is noted in two places and it should be [2:28] in both cases accessibility [2:33] changes [2:35] » Any other modifications [2:40] » Just um just some comments and I've had [2:43] a bit of a discussion with staff on this [2:46] already but um some of the feedback back [2:49] that I've been getting on on minutes [2:51] from mayor, CEO, and others is that it [2:55] needs the recommendations [2:58] or the motions that were uh putting [3:01] forward need to be clear so they can [3:05] understand what it is. um were were kind [3:09] of [3:11] so um so instead of saying in the [3:14] minutes, you know, uh feedback was given [3:17] to central Senate on this active [3:21] transportation plan or whatever it is [3:23] that the following feedback was provided [3:25] and then just in bullets so that you [3:28] know council can see what it is is the [3:31] feedback um that's provided and then [3:33] also similarly in um in in the uh the [3:39] motions need to be clear. So the one of [3:43] the motions that was problematic, it was [3:45] I think we made a motion about um [3:49] discussion of uh that that the [3:51] municipalities would discuss [3:53] accessibility concerns with the airport. [3:56] And so the question I got back was what [3:59] were the concerns? I said, "Oh, I think [4:01] there was something about this or that." [4:02] But I had to go replay the the meeting [4:04] again. [4:05] Anyways, that's just kind of a [4:08] » Yeah, I totally agree. Even by the time [4:09] I get the minutes, I can't remember the [4:12] specifics. [4:13] » Yeah. So, just for us to be uh mindful [4:16] when we're making the motions and making [4:19] our points, but that's clear. [4:22] » Okay. And I'll make sure I review them [4:23] because I get them first. [4:25] » Okay. [4:26] » I'll review them with that in mind, too. [4:28] Good comment. Oh, morning. Sorry, I'm [4:31] late. You're right on time. [4:36] Uh any other comments? [4:41] Entertain a motion for approval of the [4:42] minutes. [4:44] » Second [4:46] and Charlene. All in favor? [4:51] Um against any carried. [4:56] Okay. The next item will then be the uh [4:58] right fit program presentation. I [5:00] believe. Are they [5:02] uh prepared? Is Lindsay with us? [5:05] [clears throat] [5:05] » Hello. [5:06] » Oh, hi Linds. [5:07] » Can you hear me? Hello. [5:08] » Yeah, that was good. [5:09] » Hi. Um, yeah, my program manager I think [5:13] is running a minute or two late, but I [5:15] can go ahead and get started to just [5:17] make sure you guys are on track for your [5:20] meeting. Oh, there she is. Perfect [5:22] timing. [5:25] » Hi, Isabelle. We're just about to get [5:27] started on our presentation now. Good [5:29] every good morning everyone. [5:32] » Morning. [5:34] » Um should I go ahead and share my [5:36] screen? [5:37] » Yes please. Yes. [5:38] » Okay. [5:43] [clears throat] [5:49] » Perfect. [5:50] » Okay. See [5:52] » I can't see the Oh, there we are. Okay. [5:54] Great. Excellent. Okay. Well, uh good [5:57] morning everyone. We're very excited to [5:59] to be here. Thank you for welcome. Oh, [6:02] somebody waiting in the lobby. [6:05] Okay, I got a little notification there. [6:08] Uh we're very excited to to be here and [6:10] present the right fit program. So, thank [6:12] you for making uh space in your agenda [6:15] for us. So, um you can go to to the next [6:19] slide. U Lindy. [6:22] » Oops. [6:25] Yeah, we'll do a a really quick intro. [6:28] Oh. Uh, introduction slide back. [6:31] » Oh, yeah. I think sorry it might be [6:33] lagging a bit. Is it okay? No worries. [6:35] Yes. Okay. Yes. So, my name is Isabelle [6:38] Brock. I'm the rightf program manager [6:39] for Disability Alliance BC and I'm [6:42] excited to be joined by Lindseay Simpson [6:45] who's uh the CRD housing coordinator for [6:48] for DABC for for the right fed. So, um [6:51] we're we're pretty very happy to be here [6:53] with you today. Um, I just want to give [6:56] you a bit of overview of Disability [6:59] Alliance BC. I don't know how much you [7:01] know about DABC [7:02] um here, but we're uh provincial [7:06] disability voice since 1977. So, we've [7:09] been around for a long time. And our [7:11] organization supports people with all [7:13] disabilities to live with dignity, [7:15] independence, and as equal and full [7:17] participants in the community. Uh, DABC [7:20] offers a really wide range of programs. [7:22] So I won't go through that list [7:24] extensively because we have a limited [7:26] time. Um but we help we support um [7:30] people with disabilities with a a number [7:33] of uh programs, tax aid, we have a [7:37] disability law clinic uh that provides [7:40] free legal advice to people with [7:42] disabilities. Um we have an access [7:46] advocacy access program which supports [7:49] um uh people with disabilities with [7:50] their PWD applications. Uh we have a [7:54] program also that supports people with [7:56] disability to access the uh DTC [7:59] disability tax credit and we also manage [8:02] the right fit program which is the [8:04] program that brings us here today. Next. [8:08] Yeah. Uh okay. So what is the right fit? [8:11] The right fit is a service that [8:13] addresses the crisis in accessible [8:16] housing. And we address this crisis by [8:19] matching affordable accessible homes and [8:21] independent living supports with people [8:23] who need it in the lower mainland and [8:25] now in the CRD. [8:30] We we have several goals with this [8:32] program. We were created in 2017, so [8:35] we've been around almost for 10 years. [8:37] We wanted to better utilize the existing [8:40] supply to make sure that every [8:42] accessible units go to people who really [8:45] need those units. We wanted to inventory [8:48] every available unit to make sure that [8:50] it's truly accessible, but also to get a [8:53] better understanding of what's what's [8:55] available out there, increase housing [8:58] affordability, uh address the supply [9:00] gap, and also raise awareness about [9:02] housing accessibility. [9:06] So why why why did we um decide to form [9:10] the right fit program about almost 10 [9:13] years ago? Uh that's because we had come [9:16] to an understanding that wheelchair [9:18] users were facing um incredible [9:22] challenges when it came to finding and [9:25] securing accessible housing. Uh first of [9:28] all there's a limited supplies not many [9:31] accessible affordable housing being u uh [9:34] available for wheelchair users. Um and [9:37] then it's it's a time it it takes. So as [9:41] you know when you're moving into a unit [9:43] uh it's it's it's quite complex. But [9:45] when you think about a wheelchair users [9:48] wanting to move to into an accessible [9:50] housing unit that's even more uh [9:53] complicated. you have to have time to [9:55] arrange home supports, specialized [9:57] equipment. So what hasn't meant is that [10:00] generally when is a scarce accessible [10:03] unit being available then a wheelchair [10:05] user would not be able to to compete and [10:08] get this unit just because of the time [10:10] it takes. So uh being able to um uh to [10:13] get the the unit was not possible and [10:16] what that means is that those wear [10:18] accessible units are going to people who [10:20] don't need those accessible features. Uh [10:23] the other uh added challenge with this [10:26] um uh with wheelchair users accessible [10:29] and accessible housing is that up to the [10:32] right fit until the right fit was [10:34] created there was no centralized [10:36] inventory of accessible units for [10:39] listing accessibility features. So that [10:41] meant that the units are there but [10:44] nobody really knows where they are, what [10:46] those units are and what kind of [10:48] features they have. So uh the right fed [10:51] really uh looked to address this issue [10:54] by creating that centralized inventory [10:56] of accessible units. Next slide please. [11:00] So um the the right fit is is very much [11:04] um a partnership model. So we started [11:07] out in Metro Vancouver 10 years ago and [11:10] uh DABC oversees and managed the right [11:13] fit program but we're guided for Metro [11:15] Vancouver by a steering committee that [11:18] provides leadership and expertise to [11:20] everything we do. So we have a number of [11:22] member organizations. It includes BC [11:24] housing uh MSDPR, the health [11:27] authorities, the city of Vancouver, [11:29] Spinal Cord Injury BC, Spark BC, and [11:32] VRS, which is a housing provider. And [11:35] we're now because we're now expanding [11:36] into the capital regional district, [11:38] we're currently forming an advisory [11:40] committee uh for the CRD to help ensure [11:43] that we we understand and uh response to [11:46] the unique needs of the of the region. [11:49] Next slide, please. Thank you. [11:51] Um, so the the the right fit in the CRD, [11:55] what does that look like in Metro [11:57] Vancouver? The DABC has been partnering [12:00] with a a group called the Individualized [12:03] Funding Resource Center society, what we [12:06] call the IFRC. The IFRC is a um an [12:10] organizations that's led by people with [12:12] disabilities and and they in in the [12:15] Vancouver region, they manage the aspect [12:17] of the peer-led navigation model. and [12:20] client intakes and housing placement. I [12:22] will uh uh go back to that uh what that [12:24] intake process and peer-led navigation [12:26] model looks like. But then the CRD we [12:30] have we're very proud to have initiated [12:32] a partnership with the Victoria [12:34] Disability Resource Center VDRC. and [12:37] VDRC will help connect the RightFit [12:39] program with community resources, [12:41] housing providers, wheelchair users, and [12:44] um will also help uh strengthen some of [12:47] our local referral pathways to to [12:49] support our peer-led navigation model [12:52] and uh the VDRC will also co-chair our [12:56] ad advisory committee in in the CRD. Uh [12:59] I should also mention that uh uh [13:01] Lindseay our CRD housing coordinator is [13:05] her office is housed within the office [13:07] of uh VDRC. [13:10] Next slide please. [13:13] » Uh this is just a bit of a history of [13:16] our program. Um I I don't need to go in [13:18] great detail uh into this but we we [13:21] started in as I mentioned almost 10 [13:23] years ago in 2017. We started as a pilot [13:27] project to really test the approach of [13:29] what we wanted to do and then in 2020 we [13:32] transitioned from being a pilot to uh [13:34] being the right fit program and since [13:37] then we have really become the one-stop [13:41] uh hub for housing providers, tenants, [13:44] uh service providers, uh everything uh [13:46] accessible housing related. Um I must [13:49] say that we we um there was a research [13:52] study that was done a couple years ago [13:54] by in u in Ontario by university um [13:58] there and they surveyed and really took [14:02] a scan of all services existing for [14:05] accessible housing in in Canada and they [14:08] identified that the right fit program [14:09] was the only program in Canada that does [14:11] what what we do. So we're we're very [14:14] proud of uh of being uh the model and [14:17] the reference but at the same time have [14:18] mixed feelings about the fact that [14:20] there's no other program like ours in [14:22] the rest of uh of the country. Um we [14:25] also now maintains the only existing [14:27] centralized inventory of accessible [14:29] units in the lower mainland with the [14:31] standardized accessibility checklist [14:33] tool. I will come back to that. Um and [14:36] then um I guess our next chapter is [14:39] 2026. We're now expanding beyond Metro [14:42] Vancouver and expanding into the capital [14:44] regional district. So everything that [14:46] we've done in Metro Vancouver, we're [14:48] looking to replicate in uh in the CRD, [14:52] including the development of an [14:54] inventory of accessible and adaptable [14:56] housing for for the CRD. Next slide, [14:59] please. [15:02] Thank you. So I just wanted to talk [15:04] about our approach, the right fit [15:06] approach because it's quite quite unique [15:08] because we operate both on the supply [15:10] side and the demand side. So we we match [15:14] our main goal is to match accessible [15:16] homes with the right tenants and this is [15:19] what we call the right fit. We're [15:20] ensuring the right fit for each unit. Uh [15:23] we help wheelchair users find homes that [15:25] meet their accessibility needs. And what [15:28] I'd like to say about that is that each [15:31] unit that we um find um is different. Um [15:35] they they may not have all full [15:37] accessibility features. Some of the [15:38] units might be adaptable universal [15:41] design. Well, we take a look at all of [15:44] these units. Uh we we don't just look at [15:46] fully fully accessible units just [15:49] because you never know what what will be [15:51] the right fit to our clients. They might [15:53] all be wheelchair users, but they have [15:55] very diverse needs. So, so we want to [15:58] make sure we have um a broad supply of [16:01] units to be able to match our clients to [16:03] those units. So, we also help streamline [16:06] access to home support, services, and [16:08] equipment. We provide personalized [16:11] support from intake uh to move in with [16:13] our dedicated client navigators and we [16:16] build and maintain that inventory of [16:18] accessible housing with our checklist. [16:20] So, we'll go back to that. Next slide, [16:22] please. [16:24] uh our eligibility criteria in terms of [16:27] uh as a client to come into our program. [16:29] So applicants for now must be full-time [16:32] power or manual wheelchair users [16:34] including using their chair at home [16:36] where uh in the midst of slightly [16:39] revising those those criteria but this [16:41] for now our our criteria and applicants [16:44] must live in uh uh Vancouver House, [16:47] Fraser House or now Island Health [16:48] authorities. So the full CRD uh [16:51] geographical scope, so the 30 [16:54] municipalities as well as the three EAS [16:56] electoral areas. We have no age [16:58] restrictions. We have no income limit or [17:01] um income requirement and PWD [17:04] eligibility is not required for for our [17:06] program. [17:11] Um as I mentioned, we have developed [17:14] over the years a very unique [17:15] peer-to-peer navigation model. We feel [17:18] it's very important to provide [17:20] peer-to-peer support for a person with [17:22] disability. Um, and the reason for that [17:24] is the journey to transition into [17:27] stable, affordable, accessible housing [17:29] is is very complex and there's a lot of [17:32] uh challenges. So we we want to make [17:35] sure we build trust um with our clients [17:38] and learn about this individual [17:40] situation so we can successfully help uh [17:43] wheelchair users living in [17:45] non-accessible housing make a successful [17:47] transition into accessible housing. So, [17:50] we help individuals identify where they [17:52] want to live, the amenities that are [17:54] important to them, the social networks, [17:56] the kind of neighborhoods they want, but [17:57] also we're going to be learning about [17:59] their specific disabilities because, as [18:03] I mentioned, even though they may all be [18:04] wheelchair users, they have very [18:07] different needs um and mobility range. [18:11] Um, so it's important for us to to [18:13] capture that. So uh one of the uh [18:17] clientele we're serving where we have a [18:19] um in Vancouver at least uh a large [18:22] number of uh uh families so where the [18:25] wheelchair user is a child um a young [18:28] child so the support the supporting [18:30] individuals are not wheelchair users. So [18:32] when we look at placing the specific [18:34] clients into units uh they may not [18:37] require the full range of accessible uh [18:40] features but they might prioritize [18:42] certain features and the size of the [18:44] units over the accessibility features. [18:46] This is why it's so important to have a [18:48] a variety of units to uh uh in our [18:51] inventory to to be able to match our [18:53] clients. Uh next slide please. [18:57] So a little bit more on that navigation [18:59] uh model. We uh we we assist Wilshshire [19:02] users in completing application forms [19:04] and navigating BC housing applications [19:07] and all these complicated uh paperwork [19:09] that they have to uh to go through. We [19:12] review these available units that we [19:14] have in our inventory and we match [19:16] applicants with homes that suits their [19:18] specific accessibly needs. We help them [19:20] uh um gather required documents for [19:23] housing providers. We accompani clients [19:26] through housing interviews and we [19:28] provide support uh to the client from [19:30] the initial intake to the final move in. [19:36] We also help facilitate home supports uh [19:40] to in securing traditional home supports [19:43] and we also refer clients to uh what we [19:47] call the CEO program choices in support [19:49] for independent um living program [19:52] through the IFRC [19:54] and we also help with equipment support. [19:57] So um often wheelchair users will need [20:01] uh electric beds, grab bars, some uh uh [20:04] track ceiling lifts. all sorts of uh [20:06] specific equipment needs. And so we we [20:09] and that they need to have in place when [20:12] they move in, which is why before they [20:14] can't act couldn't accessible units [20:16] because the time it takes to to align [20:19] get everything aligned at the same time. [20:21] So we help with fasttracking with those [20:23] processes and we also help facilitate [20:26] installation of um environmental [20:29] controls um as well as door openers as [20:32] well. So a number of of uh additional [20:35] assistive technology. [20:40] So what have we accomplished so far? So [20:42] we've been in existence since 2017. So [20:45] we uh we um uh we um we've updated those [20:50] numbers. Sorry, there was a note there, [20:51] [laughter] [20:52] but we made 214 successful housing [20:55] matches since we existed. That's these [20:57] are the lower mainland uh numbers. And [21:00] uh we will um we'll hope to to just [21:04] starting now in the CRD. So uh so we'll [21:06] be starting matching clients and finding [21:09] accessible housing now. Um and what I [21:12] will just say on this slide is that [21:14] we're very proud to have uh made that [21:16] many matches so far. Um but we also have [21:21] uh prevented a significant numbers of [21:24] individuals from becoming homeless. So [21:26] homeless uh prevention is a um very much [21:30] a focus of our work and so we uh we [21:33] really uh are very proactive and and [21:35] work with u uh the homelessness sector [21:38] to to really support individuals um uh [21:41] that are on the ver at imminent risk of [21:44] homeless or being homeless to transition [21:46] into accessible housing. Uh next slide [21:49] please. [21:51] » Yeah. So, and now I'm going to pass it [21:53] on to Lindsay who's going to tell you a [21:56] bit more about the what we do on the [21:58] housing provider side. Thank you. [22:00] » Yeah. So, in addition to supporting the [22:03] clients, we also support local housing [22:05] providers. So, we work directly with [22:08] housing providers to help um identify [22:11] suitable tenants for them by comparing [22:14] their accessible unit against our client [22:16] intake, which allows us to simplify the [22:19] matching process for them and and take a [22:21] little bit of work off their hands. So [22:23] when we a housing provider reaches out [22:26] to us or we reach out to them and they [22:28] mention that they have an accessible [22:30] unit, we'll coordinate completing our [22:32] DAPC accessibility checklist and [22:35] maintain an inventory of those units. So [22:38] we overall off uh serve as a resource [22:40] for housing providers by both um helping [22:44] them learn a little bit more about [22:46] accessibility through our checklist and [22:47] then also helping them find the right [22:50] tenant for them and support them through [22:52] the process of that tenant application. [22:56] So I'll go a little bit into our [22:58] checklist, but the ultimate goal is to [23:00] better understand the supply and create [23:02] a more detailed inventory of the [23:04] accessible unit supply. So when we go to [23:07] a unit that may look like the one in [23:10] this picture, we create a detailed [23:13] account of the unit. So we'll measure [23:15] the turning radius and counter heights, [23:18] uh the space for kitchen knee or uh knee [23:21] cutouts under kitchen sinks and stoves [23:24] where um outlets are located. It will [23:27] also list the building amenities and [23:29] neighborhood amenities and then also [23:31] track more standard uh apartment things [23:36] such as pet policies and smoking [23:39] policies. [23:42] And then so the checklist ultimately [23:44] yeah provides a detailed account of the [23:47] unit and its accessibility features. And [23:49] then we can go through our client [23:50] database and find the right fit um [23:54] client for that unit because we have [23:55] detailed intake of both the unit and the [23:58] client. And then once we have identified [24:01] a match, we will pass the client [24:02] information to the housing provider [24:04] because that allows them to retain full [24:06] control over uh selecting their tenant [24:09] um and still giving them uh agency in [24:12] doing that as well. But we do still [24:14] support through the application process. [24:18] And overall, yeah, the tool the [24:20] checklist acts as a tool for improving [24:21] accessibility. I've already found from [24:23] doing a few of these checklists in the [24:25] CRD, uh, completing the checklist allows [24:28] myself and the housing provider to have [24:30] a more detailed conversation about [24:31] accessibility. And I learn things based [24:34] on their experience and they learn [24:36] things based on our experience. And I [24:38] think it uh just creates a good [24:40] conversation around what true [24:42] accessibility looks like within a part [24:43] in an apartment or a home. [24:46] And yeah, we can also work with them to [24:48] adapt and modify units. And then [24:50] hopefully like in the Lower Mainland, [24:52] the CRD, we can create a centralized [24:54] inventory of accessible units for for [24:56] wheelchair users [25:02] and I'll pass it back to Isabelle. [25:06] » Uh thank you, Lind. Yes. So overall [25:09] really I mean this the RightFair program [25:11] is very much a multi-dimensional [25:13] uh program, but we we're also looking to [25:16] really build knowledge uh on accessible [25:18] housing. there's a so much different [25:21] definitions out there and it's an [25:22] evolving uh um conversation. So we uh we [25:26] we feel that beyond matching uh clients [25:30] to uh to accessible units, we we feel [25:34] it's within our mandate to educate [25:35] stakeholders on the importance of [25:37] accessible housing, inclusive design and [25:39] the impact. Um, we also want to build [25:43] awareness and partnerships by really [25:45] showcasing the program's benefits and [25:47] encouraing encouraging collaboration [25:50] around the housing sector. Um, promote [25:53] accessible housing solutions and also [25:55] gain insights to inform program [25:57] improvements. Um, next I I should [26:01] mention as well that we as part of our [26:05] uh learning and and and sharing what [26:08] what we um uh the work we do and the [26:11] gaps in accessible housing and and [26:14] informing that conversation. We [26:16] undertake um a survey of our place [26:19] clients. So after a client is placed [26:21] after 6 months 6 months mark we will go [26:24] in and visit them into the home where [26:27] we've placed them and we will uh uh do [26:30] an inerson survey about uh the the [26:33] impact of the program uh but also we [26:36] will uh uh look at better understanding [26:39] uh whether what what what has changed in [26:42] their in their lives after they've been [26:45] placed. So, has their physical health [26:47] improved? Has their sense of [26:48] independence improved? Um, has their [26:52] community integration better? So, we're [26:54] looking at those key quality of life [26:56] indicators, but we're also looking at [27:00] how well the unit we've been placed them [27:03] into is is doing. Are there are they [27:06] able to now navigate their new home [27:09] safely or are do they still have some [27:11] challenges? And what are those [27:13] challenges? And that is incredibly [27:16] useful information for us because that [27:19] ultimately will allow us to take that [27:22] back to uh the housing sector and [27:25] planning departments and and just say [27:27] hey we we find that all new buildings uh [27:30] uh accessible units within those [27:32] buildings say um half of those don't [27:34] have door openers and and we see that as [27:37] a gap for example. So we can make [27:39] further recommendations on on to how to [27:42] improve accessibility features within uh [27:44] within those units and the buildings [27:46] where we place uh wheelchair users. Uh [27:50] next slide. [27:53] Yes. So I mean that was a bit of a [27:54] really short version there of uh [27:57] everything we do. There's a lot more. So [27:59] what I want to say though is that we're [28:00] we're very excited to finally be [28:02] expanding into the CRD. We know there's [28:05] a huge need there and and we're really [28:08] looking forward to to working with with [28:10] you all in in terms of building our [28:12] inventory of accessible and adaptable [28:15] units uh connecting with um with [28:18] organizations and overall really forming [28:21] uh local uh relationships and [28:24] partnerships to to really support [28:26] wheelchair users uh transition into into [28:29] um units that that meet their needs. So, [28:31] we'll we'll have you have our contact [28:33] information there. Um um if you want to [28:36] learn more, we have a website and uh [28:38] social media. We're in the process of [28:40] updating our website now with all the [28:42] information about what we're doing in [28:43] the CRD. Uh so, I'll stop here and if [28:47] you have questions for us, we we'd love [28:49] to have a conversation. [28:52] Thank you very much. [28:53] » Thank you. [28:55] » Presentation, we're we're thrilled that [28:56] you've come across the pond to uh [28:59] Vancouver Island. That's great. Any [29:01] questions from committee members? [29:02] Councelor O'Keefe. [29:04] » Yes. Um, councelor uh, Cherry O'Keefe, [29:07] thank you for the presentation. I'm [29:09] really excited that you're here on the [29:11] island. I had talked to um, the folks [29:14] running your program in Vancouver a [29:17] couple years ago and I think we had a [29:18] discussion at this committee about that [29:21] and how we could uh, get an inventory. [29:23] So, great to have you here. Um, what I'm [29:26] wondering is, so in town of Sydney [29:30] anyways, I'm not sure about other [29:32] municipalities, we uh require developers [29:36] of new buildings to make 20% of the [29:40] units adaptable. [29:42] And the thing that I've kind of [29:46] struggled with is that we haven't we [29:49] they make these adaptable but as you [29:51] said uh I don't think very many of them [29:54] go to people who actually need them. So, [29:58] how have have you had any discussion or [30:01] any ideas about how um we would be [30:06] whether it would be you or the town [30:09] communicating with the the builders of [30:12] these new units [30:14] um to get them into your inventory? Any [30:17] ideas how you you might see that [30:20] working? [30:22] It's such a great question and I do [30:24] remember us connecting um two or three [30:27] years ago and having this conversation. [30:29] Yeah, it was with me. So I'm really [30:31] thrilled actually to pursue this [30:33] conversation because we had such a [30:35] productive conversation and you had [30:36] shared back then with us that you know [30:40] exactly what you just said the challenge [30:42] of of a having these units being built [30:46] but having no handle over what what's [30:49] happening after they being built. Are [30:51] they actually going to uh to the people [30:54] who need them the most? And and this is [30:57] really a gap that we're have identified. [31:00] It's true of the lower mainland as well [31:03] is that you know we have these grid [31:06] units that are coming onto the market [31:08] now. Uh but we have no way of knowing [31:10] whether those units are going to the [31:12] people who need them. And as a result, [31:14] you sort of if they don't, you're sort [31:16] of self perpetuating the the problem [31:19] there because our weight lists of people [31:22] waiting for accessible units continue to [31:25] grow and the accessible units are being [31:27] built, but they invariably goes to [31:29] people who just don't need those [31:31] features and and sadly will once they're [31:34] in the unit, they will actually revert. [31:36] they will convert those features into [31:39] something that fit their needs that are [31:41] have nothing to do with accessibility. [31:43] So um the way to address that I mean of [31:47] course I mean our advocacy part is to [31:50] really would would be great to require [31:53] more um accountability [31:56] [clears throat] on the post occupancy on [31:58] the occupancy of these units so that it [32:00] goes to the people who need that you [32:01] know so there's some bit of [32:02] accountability on on how these units are [32:06] being filled but the best way is to work [32:08] with these housing providers or [32:10] developers and and get them to connect [32:14] with us really and and I don't know I [32:17] mean in terms of requirements and [32:18] whether you're able to require them to [32:21] to do this but the the ideal scenario is [32:24] that they reach out to the right fit and [32:27] say okay we have all these units can you [32:30] help us fill them with with people who [32:32] need uh those units and we'll do that [32:35] we'll do the the matching I mean we'll [32:36] we'll help with that um or we can um you [32:40] can give us a list as well of these [32:43] units and who build them and we can um [32:46] contact the developers the housing [32:48] providers ourselves and uh and LIN say [32:51] will do that she'll she'll go and visit [32:52] the units she'll uh she'll take notes of [32:55] all the accessibility feature or [32:56] adaptable features that'll make it to [32:58] the our inventory and then we can start [33:01] the process of matching. So uh so either [33:03] way it can be uh initiated by the [33:05] housing providers themselves or if you [33:08] give them all the the lists we can uh [33:10] initiate contacts ourselves with the [33:13] housing providers. [33:15] Have you had any discussions with the [33:17] real estate associations or of the urban [33:21] development institution or or institute [33:24] um in ter which represents developers or [33:28] or people selling or these kind of units [33:33] um or rental agencies to [33:37] you know have some sort of designation [33:39] on the listings um for accessibility. [33:44] Is that something that's being [33:46] considered? [33:47] » Yes. Yes, we're Yeah, we have had we [33:49] we've reached out to the U UDI, I think. [33:53] Is it? Yeah. The Yeah. And then uh the [33:56] the real estate association. We we're [33:58] look we're we're in the rental market [34:01] more than um than units that are meant [34:04] to be sold. Uh but certainly we uh yeah [34:09] we we support renters um rather than um [34:12] uh people who are looking to to to to [34:15] purchase units. Uh but yes, we've had [34:17] this conversation that's part of the odd [34:20] ridge. So in Vancouver we have um an [34:22] accessible housing coordinator and [34:24] she'll contact um the all the groups uh [34:28] including the the co-ops as well [34:30] association. We actually did a [34:31] presentation in the CRD with a a co-op [34:34] um a me a group um a number of members [34:37] of of co-ops as well to let them know [34:39] about our program. So we'll really [34:41] encourage um all these players, the [34:44] developers, the housing providers, the [34:47] nonprofit association of um housing [34:50] providers, all of these to to connect [34:52] with us and let us know about the units [34:54] they have um so we can educate them [34:57] about that. Yeah, absolutely. [34:59] » Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] [35:02] And I presume property management [35:04] companies would be part of that list. [35:06] » Absolutely. Yeah. [35:07] » Yeah. [35:09] » So we're really looking to build those [35:11] connection in the CR because this is [35:12] what we've done in the in the lower [35:14] mainland but in the CR we're just [35:16] building that. So it will be fantastic [35:19] if you know um uh offline lean sick can [35:22] have a further conversation with you on [35:25] how you can facilitate those those [35:26] contacts uh with those developers that [35:29] do um that are required to build those [35:33] uh 20% of adaptable units. So we we get [35:36] our hands on this unit and can follow [35:37] through. [35:39] [clears throat] [35:41] » Councelor Newton, you had a question. [35:42] » Uh yeah, thank you chair. [35:45] I think you might have answered my [35:47] question with that last comment, but I [35:50] guess um [35:53] when when the applications come forward [35:56] to the municipalities, [35:58] uh how is it like obviously [36:02] they're identified in the building plans [36:04] when it comes forward for the [36:05] application, but is there a flag or [36:07] something to follow through to that [36:09] follow-up about which specific [36:12] units have the features that are [36:14] required and How is that related? I've [36:16] been super excited about this inventory [36:18] being coming on stream for the CRD and [36:21] you know I know councelor O'Keefe talked [36:22] about this before but [36:24] » Um I guess how how is the follow through [36:26] about once communities require [36:29] accessible or adaptable units how are [36:32] they identified and does that then get [36:34] to you for that information purposes? [36:36] » Yeah. Yeah. Well, this is so I guess [36:39] what you're describing is that when [36:41] you're you're doing the application [36:43] review, if I understand you correctly, [36:45] you review this application and then you [36:47] ask those developers to say 20% of these [36:50] units need to be adoptable, right? So, [36:53] is that what you're you're doing? And [36:55] then okay, so what's what's your [36:58] process? I mean, I'm sorry I'm answering [37:01] your question by asking you a question, [37:03] but how what what happens from that [37:06] point? Do you do you just um uh they say [37:10] okay yeah we'll be the 20%. Do you have [37:12] any kind of followup or you have nothing [37:14] at that point or you just Yeah. How what [37:17] happens on your end of things? [37:19] » Sure. That's probably a a gap. [37:21] » I think I'm gonna throw our director of [37:24] planning on the spot here and give him a [37:26] moment to collect his thought. Uh but [37:29] it's I should have identified a score [37:31] » With the district of central sanage and [37:33] our requirements are a bit different [37:34] than Sydney's but [37:36] » We still do have some uh so I guess I'd [37:38] be curious about how going forward to [37:41] identify the specific units within an [37:43] application to come forward and then my [37:45] follow-up question is around the changes [37:48] to the VC building code [37:50] » Um does that improve things to make all [37:52] of them accessible or adaptable or not [37:55] but the first question is just how to [37:57] identify once the units are prescribed. [38:02] Where's the follow through to identify [38:04] them [38:04] » To the public? [38:06] » Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, this is the the [38:08] gap would been exactly trying to address [38:10] in in the lower mainland is that there [38:14] is this allocated number of units. And [38:17] then what we want to do is is really um [38:22] uh get in touch early on with um the [38:27] developer the and then know okay we and [38:30] get in touch with them directly and then [38:32] let us know okay we have these 20 units [38:34] coming up will you help them fill them [38:37] with with um wheelchair users [38:40] essentially so so we we're getting some [38:43] lists from municipalities essentially [38:45] the individual municipalities [38:47] They let us know, okay, we we know we [38:50] have this developer, we have this [38:51] building coming up, this new building. [38:54] Um we have allocated that many units and [38:57] then they pass on the information for [39:01] the um the contact person essentially [39:04] and then we follow up directly with um [39:07] with the the the the housing [39:09] representative there uh and then ask [39:11] them about their their available units [39:13] and then um and then we visit them. [39:16] sometimes they're still under [39:17] construction somehow and then that's [39:19] when they those units make it to our [39:21] inventory. So, so we're we're the ones [39:23] trying to to get a handle of of those [39:27] actual units, know what building which [39:29] buildings they are, know the square [39:31] footage, how many and then um get this [39:35] information all collected in our [39:37] inventory so that we can we can match [39:40] essentially uh those units to to people [39:42] who need them. So uh so essentially it [39:45] will um uh it'll come but it has to be a [39:48] collaboration. So that's why we're doing [39:50] exactly this presentation today is with [39:52] the hope that we can work together and [39:55] NI will follow up but you you can help [39:57] us identify uh these um these projects [40:00] essentially early on so we can we can [40:02] make that happen. [40:04] » Okay. So then there's a followup and I'm [40:06] going to now go to the director of [40:08] planning for central Sanch and say is [40:09] there a way to liaz with an organization [40:12] like this about once we get the [40:14] application come forward and say we've [40:16] got you know 32 units or 11 units or [40:19] whatever it happens to be um to share [40:22] that information with as part of sort of [40:24] building the inventory. [40:25] » Exactly. Yeah. There there there is [40:29] certainly that would be we could build [40:30] that into our um application sort of [40:34] completionism. [40:36] Um one thing we do is we share something [40:38] with the CRD. We share a lot of housing [40:40] data all the CRD. So a CRD could [40:44] potentially be an avenue if every [40:46] municipality has a similar um structure [40:48] because they do set [40:51] housing [40:53] and [40:57] the thought occurred to me as we're as [40:58] we're having this conversation. So [41:00] everyone is valid in the province [41:03] housing information to the province. You [41:06] have to do your housing targets and [41:07] reporting that every year our course [41:09] council next week [41:11] » That would be an ideal avenue if the [41:14] province wanted to take a role. But um [41:17] you take a role and that being a [41:18] component of that [41:21] how many access [41:28] the entire profits for this it's not on [41:31] their radar that's not something they [41:33] collect affordable housing supporting [41:35] number of rental units number of number [41:38] of units overall [41:41] guess the level of bedrooms but it [41:43] doesn't touch on adaptability or [41:44] accessibility [41:46] MI could easily be added and [41:49] wide and very accessible [41:53] but that's that's just that thought it's [41:55] not in place so I think there would need [41:57] to be quite a bit of work done [41:58] individually I think the challenge with [41:59] doing it individually though is it's at [42:02] I guess it is at there's no requirement [42:04] for municipalities to report that [42:06] information right now so the province [42:08] could put that in place and second [42:10] report it differently some could do it [42:12] some couldn't so see it be really [42:14] challenging [42:16] um to be comprehensive on it. You might [42:20] get some municipalities doing it, some [42:21] not. So that's a challenge. [42:23] » Sure. [42:24] » That seems to be something that could be [42:26] advocated at UBCM for something like [42:28] that. But um in the meantime for the [42:33] local governments and certainly the the [42:35] great work that's being done on the [42:37] peninsula, uh it would be relatively [42:39] easy to share that information. And I [42:42] think your point to the CRD is and we [42:44] have a representative um here about [42:47] that. So to collect that data centrally [42:50] and try to minimize like you know maybe [42:52] all of the work that's done locally but [42:54] to to coordinate that centrally at least [42:56] from the CRD perspective if this is also [42:58] a CRD initiative [42:59] » That makes the most [43:02] » Yeah we are um [43:04] » We are working or in communication with [43:07] the CRD at the moment too to do a [43:09] similar presentation at their next A uh [43:13] meeting which I believe is in the fall. [43:15] So maybe I'll just make a note to sort [43:17] of circle back to that idea when when we [43:19] do get the chance to speak with their [43:21] committee. [43:24] » Yeah. I mean to your point to um I mean [43:27] you were cutting out on that uh previous [43:29] uh point uh so I didn't get the full [43:31] gist but I think there's a point there [43:34] for systematic advocacy there you know [43:38] for sure for having these requirements. [43:40] Um [43:43] right now we um we we really very much [43:46] rely on these local collaborations you [43:48] know. So for Vancouver for the Metro [43:50] Vancouver we go to the city of Vancouver [43:53] we have a partnership where they will [43:55] give us the access to this information [43:57] and so we we we collect the data we meet [43:59] with the housing providers we visit the [44:01] units and we have this inventory. Uh [44:03] same we go that for each municipality [44:06] Richmond Kquidlam and all of this. So [44:08] it's really at those individual [44:09] municipality level and there's no [44:12] requirements. Uh but it's much needed to [44:14] have something more comprehensive [44:17] consistent and and I think pro [44:19] provincewide uh for for have capturing [44:22] this data but but I yeah so you noted [44:27] and I think engaging in systematic [44:29] advocacy to make those changes is really [44:31] needed. So yeah [44:35] » Mr. Nukem [44:36] » Thank you. Um, Cory Nukem, I'm the [44:39] director of community planning for the [44:40] Town Sydney. Um, I was just thinking [44:43] about our internal processes. [44:49] » Yeah. [44:51] » Um, thinking about our internal [44:53] processes. So when we get a set of plans [44:56] that has 20% of the units identified as [44:59] adaptable, I mean sometimes they don't [45:01] and we have to go back to the developer [45:02] and inform them that they're missing [45:04] something, but uh generally we get those [45:07] plans, we confirm that it meets the [45:09] requirements for adaptable housing and [45:11] our zoning bylaw and then it goes on [45:14] process. Um, initially when we get those [45:17] plans, quite often the the units have a [45:19] bit of like an interim [45:22] identification like they might just be [45:23] labeled 1 2 3 4 5 uh or maybe 101 102 or [45:27] ABCD. [45:29] Um later on in the process after the [45:32] building has been approved by council, [45:34] we go through a Canada Post addressing [45:37] process that applies the actual unit [45:41] official unit numbers and address that [45:44] Canada Post would use and that the [45:45] building that itself would use. Um so [45:48] unit 101 102 or whatever it might be. [45:51] There's a bit of a gap because the that [45:54] addressing process doesn't happen until [45:56] much later in the process. And so [45:59] getting those numbers correct uh can be [46:02] a bit tricky sometimes because they do [46:03] change between the initial plan [46:05] submission and the addressing. Um, my [46:09] question for you is, does the right fit [46:12] program have its own form [46:15] to collect information on these [46:17] potential buildings? And is that [46:19] something that you could provide to [46:20] municipalities? [46:22] So, you're collecting a standardized set [46:24] of information that you know works for [46:26] you. And again thinking about our own [46:29] processes, we have uh tasks that we you [46:32] know check off as completed in our [46:34] system and we could potentially make a [46:36] task that is you know fill out the right [46:38] fit information form on the adaptable [46:41] units or whatever information you want [46:43] on the building and send that off to an [46:45] email that could include the developer [46:46] contact info. Um, so you can see what [46:50] provided, what the tenure is, whether [46:51] it's rental or ownership, and then you [46:53] could contact that builder directly and [46:55] say, you know, we've got [46:57] » We see you've got these units and it's [46:58] rental building and we're we're [47:00] interested in in matching up before you [47:02] put it out to market. So, uh, a form [47:05] like would be very helpful so that we [47:07] could sort of rather than guessing at [47:09] the information that's required, we [47:10] could just fill it out, send it off, and [47:13] you could add it to your database. So, [47:14] just a thought there. Thanks. Uh yeah [47:17] and thank you for um outlining your [47:20] process. So just a followup to that is [47:23] and I'm mindful of your time. I know you [47:25] have a lot to discuss on your agenda and [47:27] I think almost deserves its own meeting [47:30] really to really discuss about how how [47:32] we can make that work in in practice. Um [47:35] but so when you you receive this do you [47:38] um when you have let's say six units [47:41] that are adaptable for a specific [47:43] building um do you you do you don't [47:48] collect any further information you have [47:50] the addresses and then that's it right [47:52] that's all there is in your system [47:54] essentially at this point right correct [47:57] » Uh as far as the adaptable information [48:00] adaptable unit specific information goes [48:04] We don't even know right now. We don't [48:06] know the units that adaptable units are [48:09] going to be within the building. [48:10] » We just make sure plan for each unit [48:14] meets the zone by requirement or space [48:17] the whatever. [48:18] » So we don't we don't actually record [48:20] where they are in the building [48:21] » Where they are in the building. Okay. [48:23] Okay. But you know there's a Yeah. [48:26] Um, and the form that you're thinking [48:28] for for the right fit is that um, [48:30] essentially requiring the the developers [48:32] to fill out the the form. So, and then [48:35] it's added to our inventory. That that's [48:37] what you're thinking about, right? [48:40] » Uh, yeah. Yeah, I mean I honestly I [48:42] think [48:43] » Municipal might be better positioned to [48:45] fill that out because if we're assigning [48:48] addresses and you want to know what the [48:50] official address of that unit is with [48:52] the building, um asking the developer to [48:55] provide that information might be a bit [48:58] of a tall task and it also doesn't [49:00] happen until much later in the process. [49:02] And also staff, municipal staff are the [49:05] ones that coordinate that addressing. So [49:07] it it might just be easier to have a [49:09] planner who's reviewing the file fill [49:11] that stuff out if it's not too complex. [49:14] » Yeah. So right now the way we we we work [49:17] when we get um word of um a new a new [49:21] building or units becoming available um [49:24] early on uh our accessibility um [49:28] coordinator will will make contact um [49:30] with the developer and then we'll go do [49:33] an site a site visit an actual uh [49:36] in-person site visit uh with a [49:38] standardized uh accessibility checklist [49:41] essentially. So, so this is something [49:44] that we we fill out uh and we sort of um [49:49] we have measured the like Alin say [49:52] mentioned the turning radius and all [49:54] these things. So, it's it's gives us a [49:57] really a good um detailed information of [50:00] what what this unit has to offer and [50:03] this this is where it makes it to our [50:05] inventory. So, so ideally, uh, we we [50:10] would want those developers to, um, to [50:13] be, you know, as part of your process to [50:15] be required to, um, to essentially make [50:18] contact with us or and so and to be open [50:21] to having us visit the unit and record [50:24] all that information. Is that is that [50:26] something that we could do perhaps, you [50:29] think? [50:30] » Well, we could certainly provide you [50:31] with the developers contact. Sure. [50:34] Um and then we can circle back and give [50:38] you access. One of the thing we want to [50:40] do is right now the our inventory of [50:42] units is uh is really in nature more [50:46] internal. It allows us to match clients [50:48] according to their preferences and [50:50] number of criteria but eventually we'd [50:52] want to add a functionality which allows [50:56] to provide reports of all the [50:58] accessibility features of the units and [51:00] what what we're discovering. So uh um so [51:03] and share that back with the [51:04] municipalities and on on the building [51:06] information and all that. So um so yeah [51:10] » U got a couple more questions from the [51:13] community. So if we can go to those. [51:16] » Yeah. No [laughter] lots of question. [51:19] » Hi I'm Charlene. I'm member of the [51:21] committee. Uh I don't know whether this [51:23] is you're talking about rental units. Is [51:25] there any way of of having um like [51:28] private homes that may be rental homes [51:31] in there? Because one of the things I've [51:33] come up against with people that I know [51:35] is a lot of these adaptable units that [51:37] are being planned in in uh apartment [51:40] buildings or condos, they typically are [51:42] one-bedroom [51:44] places. So, they they accommodate one [51:46] person. Um people with disabilities have [51:50] families, so they sometimes live in an [51:52] apartment building. They want a home. [51:54] want a suite. Is there any way of [51:57] inventorying or or does this just become [51:59] too cumbersome to to say we want um some [52:03] people want homes, they don't [52:05] necessarily want um condominiums or any [52:08] is there any any recourse on that? [52:11] » Um rental. Oh, that is such a great [52:14] question. I love it. Um thank you for [52:17] absolutely one of the thing we find is [52:19] that we have will you're so right in [52:22] saying wheelchair users have uh families [52:24] and don't just require onebedroom unit. [52:27] This is one of our points of ad [52:29] systematic uh advocacy is that we find [52:32] in those um uh buildings, new buildings, [52:35] there's an disproportionate number of [52:38] one-bedroom accessible units which means [52:41] that we're unable to place um wheelchair [52:45] users with family and household size [52:47] where they have two, three, four [52:49] children and they require twobedroom, [52:51] threebedroom, fourbedroom. Sometimes [52:53] they maybe one person or two people they [52:55] require two-bedroom unit to to have a [52:58] living caregiver all sorts of things [53:00] situations. So larger units is [53:02] definitely something we're we're after. [53:05] And in terms of housing type, um, [53:07] interestingly enough, a lot what we [53:09] found from our surveys is a lot of our [53:11] wheelchair users, uh, that we place, [53:14] they were previously coming from [53:16] nonaccessible [53:18] homes with stairs and everything, but [53:21] they were often like single family [53:23] housing, basement suites, um, and then [53:26] we move them into this um, high-rise [53:30] building. Uh, but it's it not doesn't [53:33] always work. And so we're really looking [53:35] to include and diversify the the housing [53:39] types that that we have. So we'd be [53:41] definitely looking at rental homes or [53:44] garden suites or um private owners [53:48] wanting to rent out an adapt something [53:51] that they've retrofitted to make it [53:52] adaptable. Um absolutely. So uh is there [53:58] it's it's not easy to identify that [54:00] supply to be honest. Uh but if there's [54:03] any way to work together to add that [54:05] that would be very helpful because we we [54:08] know that by doing this we'll be able to [54:11] find units that are larger in size and [54:14] also we'll in terms of the housing type [54:17] that will perhaps match better what what [54:19] our clients want actually in terms of [54:22] living situations. [54:24] » Thank you. [54:25] » Hey councelor O'Keefe. [54:26] » Um so just a couple on this last topic. [54:29] So in terms of number of onebedroom, two [54:31] bedrooms, three bedrooms, that's [54:33] something within the municipality's [54:35] perview that we can uh we we can do [54:38] that. So um we can we we say that they [54:43] have to provide 20% and we could say [54:46] that that 20% has to be allocated [54:49] equally or on a prata basis one, two and [54:53] threebedroom units. So, um, but in the [54:55] interest of moving this along, I know we [54:57] we could spend a lot of time on this, [55:00] um, that I would I'm going to try a [55:03] motion here, um, which is that, uh, the [55:08] committee recommends that the three the [55:11] planning departments of the three [55:13] municipalities [55:15] work together [55:17] to develop a process [55:20] to identify adaptable and accessible [55:23] units to forward to the right fit [55:26] program. [55:29] » Great. [55:30] » Uh yeah, I'll second. I was just saying [55:33] » Oh, okay. [55:34] » I'll second [55:35] » And I looking to our our planning folks. [55:39] Uh just kind of listening to some of I [55:43] think what Mr. Nukem was saying in terms [55:46] of what I would just see the simplest [55:51] process possible would be we would could [55:54] perhaps add a step into our process. um [56:00] where we give the developer the contact [56:04] information to the right fit people and [56:06] say we'd like you as part of the process [56:09] to contact them and and uh tell them [56:13] about your adaptable units and kind of [56:16] like hand it off to them rather than [56:19] staff having to have any significant [56:22] role in that. So [56:25] if that's if if you think that makes [56:28] sense or if you think that um uh [56:34] » Yeah I mean uh it could go either way. [56:36] We could provide uh the developer [56:38] contact info to right fit right contact [56:41] info to the developer. I would think the [56:43] former would probably be more [56:46] successful. [56:47] Yeah. [56:49] » Busy. So, [56:50] » Okay. [56:53] » I guess it gives you both. [56:55] » Yeah. [56:56] » Okay. Okay. So, [56:59] » Can I ask a quick Can I ask a quick [57:01] question? Sorry to interrupt. [57:05] » Sorry. [57:09] » Sorry. Question. [57:10] » Yeah. And then I think we've talked a [57:13] lot about the rental side of it, but I [57:15] think this is also like the market side [57:17] of it. And so I'm assuming when this [57:19] would come forward and for consideration [57:22] that it would be for any sort of [57:24] applicant that would whether it's a a [57:26] car or [57:29] » Multif family or a town home that [57:30] whatever component is required whether [57:32] it's rental or that this is what would [57:36] be reported out on so that it [57:39] » In in Sydney's case we only require [57:41] adaptable units on uh multi-unit [57:44] residential buildings so like carriage [57:46] homes [57:47] don't they're not to provide those [57:50] features. Uh that's something we could [57:51] consider in the future, but in Sydney's [57:54] case, [57:55] » The code's the same. It only applies to [57:56] those larger multif family buildings, [57:58] not not individual units like a [58:01] » Right. [58:02] » But if it was a development that came [58:04] forward and I could think of one in [58:07] central Sanage where there was one like [58:10] a single family that was required to [58:11] have I think [58:14] moment but for market that that could be [58:19] identified in the future. [58:22] » Okay. What sort of council through a [58:23] variance process requires some adaptable [58:26] future? [58:27] » Yeah, sure. And I would echo councelor [58:30] O'Keefe's comment that this hopefully is [58:33] not a main work project for staff and I [58:35] think hearing from the two individuals [58:37] that this is relatively simple, but I'm [58:39] trying to download this onto municipal [58:42] staff is not really what I'm interested [58:44] in doing. [58:45] » Yeah, same. [58:46] » It's not it's it's more of a systems [58:48] advice than just value. [58:51] I I do believe that absolutely what I [58:53] mentioned earlier having it at the [58:54] provincial level is the best case [58:56] scenario because it's a requirement [58:59] right so it's it's just the longevity of [59:01] it system [59:05] » A robust system in place is it going to [59:08] continue that way that's that's the [59:09] challenge unless it's required [59:11] legislation by law it's required [59:17] okay any other discussion on the motion [59:21] If not, um, entertain a a vote then. All [59:24] in favor of the motion. [59:29] Carried. [59:31] So, do you have one more comment before [59:32] you go, Isabelle? [59:34] » Oh, yeah. The the question and thank you [59:36] for for supporting this and this very [59:38] incredibly useful conversation and also [59:41] thoughtful questions. Really appreciate [59:43] it and very inspired by the level of [59:45] interest. So, thank you for for having [59:46] us and uh giving this opportunity to [59:49] work together. So, two quick questions. [59:51] I'm I'm just curious about the makeup on [59:53] the onebedroom, two bedroom, [59:54] threebedroom in your 20% allocation. Do [59:58] you actually go to the level of Yeah, [1:00:00] » I think the the we've we forwarded the [1:00:04] motion. I think if there's specific [1:00:05] questions on the I think getting into [1:00:08] those details, we could discuss when our [1:00:10] staff get the opportunity to this. [1:00:13] » Sure. Yeah. because I got a number of [1:00:15] questions on on you know allocation and [1:00:17] things like that but I agree and so [1:00:19] would that be okay for us to to to [1:00:22] contact you back and then have this [1:00:24] maybe a separate conversation because I [1:00:26] think we'll need to do that [1:00:29] » Based program be more fully developed [1:00:31] later on we certainly invite you back u [1:00:33] you know when you've got that ready to [1:00:35] go [1:00:36] » Okay perfect [1:00:39] » Thank you and yeah please don't hesitate [1:00:41] to reach out if you have any questions Z [1:00:44] want to just set up a time to chat. [1:00:47] » Great. [1:00:48] » Thank you. [1:00:51] » Okay, next item on the agenda is [1:00:53] accessibility plan. Has there been any [1:00:55] uh changes to anybody's accessibility [1:00:57] plans since last meeting? [1:01:01] Seeing none, [1:01:03] um council referrals. [1:01:07] I don't see anything specific under [1:01:09] there. No. [1:01:12] Council [clears throat] updates. uh the [1:01:14] tracking sheet [1:01:16] I think. Um yes, councelor O'Keefe. [1:01:19] » Oh, I have some updates from Sydney. Um [1:01:23] so on the the tracking sheet talks about [1:01:27] recommendations that have been put [1:01:28] forward. So just some of the things [1:01:30] that's being dealt with. Um there was [1:01:32] the um the committee had a resolution [1:01:36] about tactile markings at the at [1:01:38] intersections and um staff So we brought [1:01:43] that to to staff's attention and they [1:01:45] note that they do conform to the master [1:01:48] municipal construction documents for [1:01:51] tactile markings and they could provide [1:01:53] a copy of that just back if we wish. Um, [1:01:56] subsequent to that, in regard to the [1:01:58] tactile markings at Beacon and Highway [1:02:01] 17, which was discussed at the [1:02:03] committee, council made a resolution to [1:02:05] send a letter to the Ministry of [1:02:07] Transportation and Transit expressing [1:02:09] concern about the misalignment of the [1:02:11] tactile markings. That was sent about I [1:02:14] think a month ago and we still have had [1:02:17] not any response. However, I understand [1:02:20] from the community member who brought [1:02:22] that forward that MOOTT is coming out in [1:02:25] August 6th um to review the intersection [1:02:29] in more detail with a representative [1:02:31] from the CNIB. So, we hope to hear more [1:02:34] after that. Um, in regards to the [1:02:37] recommendation about the municipalities [1:02:40] um, communicating to the airport [1:02:43] authority about accessibility concerns, [1:02:46] um, I think there's a letter you can see [1:02:48] in the agenda package. So, um, that's [1:02:51] been covered off as well. Um, accessible [1:02:55] parking awareness. uh we asked our staff [1:03:00] to highlight an information campaign [1:03:03] onto the business community regarding [1:03:05] best practices for accessible parking. [1:03:07] So that will happen in November. And [1:03:10] then I'll just also report that on [1:03:12] Canada Days um in response to [1:03:15] recommendations by this committee uh the [1:03:18] uh viewing areas for the fireworks [1:03:22] [clears throat] and the Canada Day [1:03:23] parade were expanded accessible viewing [1:03:26] areas and additional parking um as as [1:03:30] well. So I think that all went well, but [1:03:33] if there's members of the committee who [1:03:36] participated in Canada Day in Sydney and [1:03:39] used those accessible uh areas, um we'd [1:03:43] be receptive to comments on that. [1:03:45] » Charlene, did you have a [1:03:46] » Yeah, I just wanted to say I I didn't [1:03:48] attend the events. I broke my leg so I [1:03:50] did not go anywhere. Um, but I have [1:03:53] heard from multiple community people [1:03:56] that they were extremely pleased with [1:03:58] the ex extra accessible viewing uh the [1:04:02] accessible parking. I've talked to many [1:04:04] people who are thrilled about the [1:04:05] accessible parking spot that was added [1:04:08] by the the band shell down there. Like [1:04:10] so I'm getting I'm starting to get a lot [1:04:12] of feedback from other community members [1:04:14] coming to me. They're noticing the the [1:04:17] differences and the changes and they're [1:04:19] they're really pleased with it. Um, Gar [1:04:21] Homer is bringing people down regularly. [1:04:24] Um, so I just want to say kudos to to [1:04:26] Sydney. Like it's it is being noticed. [1:04:30] So, and I'm planning on coming to some [1:04:32] of the Central Sanage stuff this summer. [1:04:34] So, I'm checking it out too. [1:04:36] » Anyways, so thank you. [1:04:38] » It's coming up pretty fast. [1:04:39] » Yeah. [1:04:39] » Which is a nice segue. Councelor Newton, [1:04:41] do you have anything from Central Sage [1:04:44] » Specific on the the tracking sheet? No. [1:04:49] They'll say that [1:04:52] wasn't a council [1:04:56] or anything. So, uh I'll take this [1:04:58] opportunity then for the chair to [1:04:59] briefly say central Sanage's 75th [1:05:02] celebration this weekend. [1:05:05] Hopefully, we do a good job from an [1:05:06] accessibility standpoint. It will be a [1:05:08] very busy weekend. It will be a lot of [1:05:10] fun. Um and uh yeah, I look forward to [1:05:13] seeing people out walking, rolling, [1:05:16] striding uh into the community. So [1:05:20] » I did notice that their their form out [1:05:22] there says that the shuttle bus is [1:05:24] accessible. [1:05:24] » Good. [1:05:25] » So so that the we're getting out there [1:05:27] like this is becoming standard to to put [1:05:30] this stuff out there and let us be aware [1:05:31] of it. So yeah, great. [1:05:34] » Look forward to feedback. [1:05:36] » Pastor Batista, anything from North [1:05:38] Sanash? I know you've been busy with [1:05:40] other things out there. [1:05:41] » Uh yeah, you know, we've been busy with [1:05:43] other things. um our zoning bylaws [1:05:47] a little bit longer. So when it comes to [1:05:49] some of those components [1:05:54] later in the fall [1:05:58] is off [1:06:07] but um [1:06:09] I know it's on later the agenda some [1:06:11] comments about that. Okay, great. [1:06:13] » Thank you. And that's a good point you [1:06:15] made about no council report. I wonder [1:06:17] if I don't even understand [1:06:19] [clears throat] what council referrals [1:06:20] means. Is that the opportunity when [1:06:22] council should be reporting or is it [1:06:24] just poorly worded? Should we change it? [1:06:26] » No, that would have been I didn't mean [1:06:28] to jump in, but I think anything that [1:06:30] came from the three councils as a [1:06:32] referral to the [1:06:34] » Oh, I see. [1:06:37] » Shouldn't we regularly have a [1:06:38] opportunity for a council report though? [1:06:42] Well, that's kind of what I saw number [1:06:45] seven as like council updates. Oh, [1:06:48] » Including tracking, [1:06:50] » But but council referral would be [1:06:52] something specific. [1:06:54] » Okay. [1:06:54] » So, if council said we we want the [1:06:58] committee to review the new active [1:07:01] transportation plan, that would be a a [1:07:04] specific sort of item that council asks [1:07:07] the committee. [1:07:09] » Good. I'll be up up to speed just about [1:07:11] the time I get ready to kick get kicked [1:07:13] out of here. [laughter] [1:07:15] Okay. Um, anything else on the tracking [1:07:18] sheet? I think we covered them all. [1:07:22] Uh, right program we did uh Wayne Road [1:07:25] Park update. [1:07:28] Um, Mr. Martin, you just want to go [1:07:29] ahead and cover that off or [1:07:31] » Yeah, I'd love to. Hi everybody. Um, Ben [1:07:34] Martin, director of construction North [1:07:36] Sanage. Apologize if I haven't said hi [1:07:39] to some new faces. Um [1:07:44] » Oh this do I need a speaker? Is there a [1:07:46] speaker? [1:07:46] » You need to pass some time back. [1:07:49] » Um so I've thanks Charlene for the um [1:07:54] request. [1:07:55] » Um I did provide this email summary that [1:07:58] I see on the agenda. [1:08:00] » Um so what does everybody know about [1:08:02] Wayne Park the process? Did everybody go [1:08:05] through the web page and does everybody [1:08:07] understand how we got to where we are? [1:08:09] » I did. [1:08:10] » I went through it. [1:08:12] » I drove out there and had a look. [1:08:14] » It's good. There's some relevance with [1:08:16] that. So, we did have a quite a robust [1:08:18] process and we um we were at the initial [1:08:22] stages of reporting back a collection of [1:08:25] interests in the park. That was at the [1:08:27] council meeting that was referenced in [1:08:28] the email. And at that council meeting, [1:08:31] uh council gave direction to simply [1:08:32] proceed with that. the entire collection [1:08:36] and to initiate it by May 2026 [1:08:41] » Um in short order a certain section. [1:08:45] So staff [snorts] um as you can for [1:08:47] those of you who have gone to the park, [1:08:49] you'll see a large concrete foundation [1:08:51] [clears throat] and a steel structure [1:08:53] off to the side for for a gathering [1:08:55] place [1:08:57] and staff will uh due to cost capacity [1:09:01] and or due to labor capacity and costs, [1:09:04] staff will be um completing the re the [1:09:07] remainder of the section identified on [1:09:10] the project page in the fall after our [1:09:12] growing season. [1:09:14] Um I did I did provide one error in my [1:09:18] email about the paving lot for the [1:09:22] parking lot. Um the plan as accepted by [1:09:25] council did indicate that um future [1:09:28] parking lot improvements will be [1:09:30] provided. So I did speak with our [1:09:34] utilities public works staff and we are [1:09:37] it's now going to be paved where I [1:09:38] indicated it's not going to be paid. [1:09:40] There'll be a pathway to gathering place [1:09:42] structure. It was a real problem for me. [1:09:44] » Yeah, me too. [1:09:45] » So [1:09:45] » Instead of a community gathering place, [1:09:47] if you can't [1:09:48] » Can't gather. [1:09:49] » Yeah, considering [1:09:51] » It's actually one of our community [1:09:52] parks. So before the peninsula soccer [1:09:55] happened at Memorial Park, that was [1:09:57] actually quite a node for the [1:09:59] [clears throat] community. We had [1:10:00] » Two baseball fields, [1:10:02] » Baseball diamonds. [1:10:03] » We we actually bought an adjacent [1:10:05] property, unknown to most people, bought [1:10:07] a decent property because we thought [1:10:08] we'd had more of that coming. This is [1:10:10] well before my time. [1:10:12] Um, so we thought we'd have to expand [1:10:14] tennis facilities and whatnot. And since [1:10:16] that time, it's really transitioned. So, [1:10:19] it is still a community park, but it's [1:10:20] really more of a neighborhood. However, [1:10:22] with this new vision, it's turning back [1:10:25] into a community park. So, there's going [1:10:27] to be so many amenities there because [1:10:28] council approved all all the options. [1:10:31] So, we're going to have uh a trail [1:10:35] connector small like a younger age kids [1:10:37] natural play structure [1:10:39] » Water feature a water sorry a water [1:10:42] feature a water misser [1:10:46] um the gathering place uh we're going to [1:10:48] place about 20 plus trees in that area [1:10:51] around gathering place to make it more [1:10:55] I suppose kind of a disc golf [1:10:59] um so it will be place where families [1:11:02] will come and [clears throat] there'll [1:11:03] be something for everybody. And so, um, [1:11:07] we'll pave the the parking lot is as per [1:11:10] direction [1:11:11] yesterday, the parking lot. It's planned [1:11:13] to be paved with [1:11:15] » That's fantastic. [1:11:16] » Charlene, [1:11:17] » Yeah, I've got questions. So, my my [1:11:19] concern with this is that it's going to [1:11:21] be an area for everybody. Um, [1:11:24] without going into the detail and coming [1:11:26] to us, will there be picnic tables that [1:11:28] are accessible to everybody? [1:11:30] Um, will there be parts of this part as [1:11:33] we go on that will be accessible to [1:11:35] everybody? Like, are we are we paying [1:11:37] attention to what the pathways are made [1:11:39] of? Are we paying attention to um how [1:11:42] how do I get to that picnic table? Um, [1:11:45] and and I bring this up in in some [1:11:47] respect because of my disappointment [1:11:49] with Wolf Orchard. Um, I checked it out [1:11:52] and there's a lovely little picnic table [1:11:54] and there's a lovely little bench on [1:11:56] cement pads that is not accessible to [1:11:59] somebody in a wheelchair. So, it broke [1:12:01] my heart thinking of the the kids that [1:12:03] go to Deep Coast School because I know [1:12:04] this was done in conjunction to be part [1:12:07] of the school being able to access it. [1:12:09] There's absolutely no access for a a [1:12:12] child in a wheelchair to be able to sit [1:12:14] at a picnic table or sit next to [1:12:16] somebody on a bench. So, I just want to [1:12:18] make sure that these things are not [1:12:20] forgotten as we go forward. Um that that [1:12:24] we do pay attention to the detail in [1:12:27] these parks cuz like I say, I was I was [1:12:29] pretty disappointed in seeing that. And [1:12:32] um without it coming again, this this is [1:12:35] what we're we're going to make this [1:12:37] we're going to make it a a a play area, [1:12:40] but are these areas going to consider [1:12:42] accessibility? So that that was my [1:12:45] concern in asking questions about this [1:12:47] is uh you know I I don't want to see it [1:12:50] go to the level that it's completed and [1:12:52] it's like oh we didn't make it [1:12:54] accessible because we missed we missed [1:12:57] an opportunity here. So I just hope [1:12:59] along the way I mean I can I I follow [1:13:02] council meetings as best as I can. I [1:13:04] read what's going on as best as I can. [1:13:07] But um as as it's been pointed out to me [1:13:09] before that sometimes when you see these [1:13:11] plans that come up, they're [1:13:13] placekeepers. They're they're [1:13:16] abstract plans, but it is in the details [1:13:19] that things get missed. So I just want [1:13:22] to make sure that that is is considered [1:13:25] going forward on this [1:13:27] » Interesting discussion. Maybe you can [1:13:29] discuss how that can be considered. [1:13:31] » Yeah. and [1:13:32] » And and provide other incentives to the [1:13:34] council motion that provided direction [1:13:36] for staff. [1:13:37] » Yeah, I mean the council motion itself I [1:13:39] was pretty rush and and was not [1:13:42] anticipated to happen the way it did. [1:13:44] That's at least my perspective. Um, you [1:13:47] know, my only real comment is I'm quite [1:13:49] thankful to our staff that they're [1:13:51] always thinking about that stuff and [1:13:53] they're always considering it and and [1:13:55] this was one of those pivots that [1:13:56] happened um partly because these [1:13:59] communications that happened, but um [1:14:03] yeah, the you know, the way I saw this [1:14:05] originally playing out after this [1:14:06] presentation was that it was going to be [1:14:08] coming to SP. These were the things that [1:14:10] were going to be happening. Um you know, [1:14:12] the the council decision [1:14:14] is what it is. I certainly can't unwind [1:14:16] those things now. Um, but yeah, I'm I'm [1:14:19] personally trying to be much more on top [1:14:22] of making sure our council is [1:14:24] considering those things before they [1:14:27] rush decisions because that's what [1:14:29] happened to me. [1:14:30] » Yeah, [1:14:31] » I took a screenshot of what you had on [1:14:32] the website. looked [clears throat] to [1:14:34] me that if the parking lot got paved, [1:14:37] there would be accessibility to the [1:14:38] trail and the community gathering place [1:14:41] » Um over the uh trail service that you're [1:14:45] providing, which is pretty standard [1:14:47] stuff, I think. Compacted gravel is [1:14:49] relatively firm and wheelchair [1:14:52] accessible, right? [1:14:53] » Compacted fines. So, it's like a gravel [1:14:55] base with compact six mill fines. That's [1:14:57] what that's what's intended in design in [1:15:00] the plan. The trail network. Yeah, I [1:15:03] think that's what we see elsewhere in [1:15:04] the peninsula, don't we? [1:15:07] » I'm not familiar with the terms. So, to [1:15:09] me, all I need to know is it wheelchair [1:15:12] accessible. Can a person in a wheelchair [1:15:14] or a walker easily traverse the surface? [1:15:17] Yes or no? [1:15:18] » I would say that a compact, for those of [1:15:20] you who've been around trails, it's a [1:15:22] CRD standard. I believe it's a central [1:15:23] standard. It's quite a a compacted [1:15:26] surface and it's crowned [1:15:29] supposed to be crowned to to shed. Um, [1:15:32] it's I would say it's better than loose [1:15:34] gravel. It's better than beach. It's not [1:15:36] as good as ashalt for like a wheel [1:15:38] surface. Like you couldn't run a scooter [1:15:40] down it, but you could run a larger a [1:15:43] larger wheeled. [1:15:46] » Uh, councelor Newton I think was an [1:15:48] accident. Councelor Keith. [1:15:51] » Thank you. Um, [1:15:55] weighing in and other people's [1:15:56] jurisdictions. The only comment I'll [1:15:58] have is [1:16:00] previous member many you know commented [1:16:03] about how [1:16:05] good the gravel surface trail was that [1:16:08] central sage had along ste [1:16:11] and again like you chair I'm not [1:16:13] familiar with this but a six mill [1:16:16] aggregate is that's the standard then [1:16:19] that's great I would yeah for whatever [1:16:21] voice this committee has to say that you [1:16:24] know at minimum so that that is able to [1:16:26] be [1:16:27] I think is essential. I'll leave it at [1:16:29] that. [1:16:32] » That's O'Keefe. [1:16:33] » Uh thanks. So I think the thought the [1:16:36] way I thought things were going in the [1:16:39] municipalities is that when things were [1:16:42] being considered like you know this that [1:16:46] the first thing would be come to spec [1:16:49] and like for example I really [1:16:51] appreciated like central central Sanage [1:16:54] when they were doing their they're [1:16:56] redoing their parks and so they came to [1:16:59] the committee first of all and said hey [1:17:02] we're doing our big parks [1:17:04] uh you know thing and we want to get [1:17:07] some general comments on things we we we [1:17:10] need to think about and then the [1:17:12] commitment from them that they will come [1:17:14] back every time that they're looking at [1:17:16] a park to say this is what we plan for [1:17:18] the park you know same with Sydney when [1:17:21] we did our active transportation plan [1:17:23] there was certainly a lot of community [1:17:25] engagement on that and there's lots of [1:17:27] opportunities to participate but the the [1:17:30] point of spa is that councils and staff [1:17:36] make a concerted effort not to just [1:17:38] depend on that general sort of [1:17:41] engagement, but that we we we factor [1:17:46] into our engagement process reaching out [1:17:48] to spat specifically. So, and what I'm [1:17:51] hearing from a couple members here is [1:17:53] that, you know, maybe more could have [1:17:56] been done that way and and hearing from [1:17:58] councelor De Batista, um, you know, he [1:18:01] thought it was coming just back. In [1:18:04] staff's defense, you know, staff, you [1:18:06] know, presents something and unless [1:18:08] council directs them to do anything [1:18:10] else, they're going to go and and do [1:18:13] whatever sta or council directs them to [1:18:16] do. So I, you know, if committee members [1:18:20] thought that they want to have a better [1:18:22] look at this plan, you have the option [1:18:25] to make a recommendation to North Sanage [1:18:28] Council that the plans for Wayne Road [1:18:31] Park be presented to SPAC for review and [1:18:35] comment. Um, and so then you could make [1:18:39] whatever formal suggestions you have [1:18:42] that could go back. And sometimes [1:18:43] there's cost implications, you know, and [1:18:46] in defense of staff, you know, uh [1:18:48] whether it's a gravel trail or or [1:18:51] whatever or there's no accessible [1:18:54] playground features, those are things [1:18:56] that cost a lot more money. [1:18:58] » And so um you know, staff are always [1:19:01] looking at what's the most cost [1:19:02] effective way of doing things. But if [1:19:05] the committee puts forward certain [1:19:07] things, they say this is important and [1:19:09] then staff can say, "Well, we could do [1:19:11] that, but it's going to cost an extra [1:19:13] $100,000." And that's what happened in [1:19:15] Sydney with Breather Park. Um, is that [1:19:18] initially there wasn't going to be a lot [1:19:20] of accessibility there. And the [1:19:23] committee said, "No, we want that." And [1:19:24] so it ended up costing I think it was [1:19:27] another $100,000 [1:19:28] to include uh the the the playground [1:19:32] surface and some other things. But at [1:19:34] least it gives council [1:19:36] » For your donation. [1:19:39] » At least it gives council the the [1:19:42] opportunity to uh you know weigh in on [1:19:46] that. So that's an option you have if [1:19:48] you want to make a motion to North [1:19:51] Stanage to um you know ask staff to [1:19:55] review the the the plans with SPAC and [1:19:59] ask for their review. [1:20:00] » I think we have I think we have time now [1:20:02] right just to the point that's actually [1:20:04] what happened with Jubilee Park prior to [1:20:06] Breath of Park. [1:20:06] » Right. [1:20:07] » Right. That's exactly how that played [1:20:09] out. um this did not play out that way [1:20:11] and I'll keep my personal comments [1:20:13] rationale for that probably to myself to [1:20:15] say [1:20:15] » And basically we want to be partners not [1:20:17] policemen right [1:20:19] » Yeah and so it was uh yeah there was [1:20:22] certain motivations for this to be [1:20:24] rushed the way it was so it's [1:20:26] » Highly unfortunate um that it played out [1:20:28] this way because it didn't previously [1:20:30] » So it seems like there's time to bring [1:20:32] it back one more time before you get [1:20:35] » Blind in the call no [1:20:36] » Well [1:20:38] I mean It's it it's already been [1:20:41] approved by council [1:20:43] » As is. [1:20:44] » So yeah, a portion is being completed as [1:20:48] per the image on the page. [1:20:50] » The remainder of the park staff couldn't [1:20:52] conceivably [1:20:54] completed the top. [1:20:57] » So there's a structure going, trees [1:20:59] being planted and the parking lot being [1:21:01] paved, some split rail fencing, [1:21:03] irrigation for the trees, and the start [1:21:05] of that trail network. If there's um a [1:21:09] motion from this committee to consider [1:21:11] paving the trail, start adding or [1:21:14] consider coming back the the remainder [1:21:16] of the park will be constructed [1:21:18] 2027. That's in the capital fund. So [1:21:21] there is an opportunity to [1:21:24] bring you know obviously [1:21:27] what's already set set in motion is is [1:21:29] is happening. But there's nothing to say [1:21:33] that uh we couldn't come back and say [1:21:34] okay 2027 remainder of the parks being [1:21:37] done. [1:21:38] » Um we're interested in these some [1:21:40] additional features [1:21:44] » Also always have opportunity to revisit [1:21:48] past decisions if they so choose as [1:21:51] well. [1:21:51] » Do you want to make a motion sir? So [1:21:53] yeah, I think we make a motion to have [1:21:55] uh the next planning phase of of Wayne [1:21:59] Road to be presented to SPAC [1:22:02] » Might be assuming that it makes it into [1:22:04] the capital list. Sometimes things are [1:22:06] moved if the cap if it remains in the [1:22:08] capital plan for 2027 and it should then [1:22:12] it would come before this committee [1:22:15] » First. [1:22:16] » So [1:22:16] » So I think the motion [1:22:17] » Is there you're waiting to say something [1:22:20] » There's a motion on the floor. as well. [1:22:22] Sorry. [1:22:22] » And just just to help out, I think the [1:22:25] recommendation would be that SPACK [1:22:27] recommends the district [1:22:29] present to SPACK um the remainder of the [1:22:33] work plan for balance works be done away [1:22:37] at a future meeting and I think that's [1:22:40] the opportunity to you know provide some [1:22:43] input and provide some thought because [1:22:45] that the rest of that work isn't going [1:22:47] to be done yet and it gives them an [1:22:49] opportunity to come back albeit the [1:22:50] first half is a little too late. Um, but [1:22:52] at least the second [1:22:53] » You okay with that wording? [1:22:55] » Yeah, I'm okay with that wording. Did [1:22:56] you catch that for me? [1:23:07] » Anybody on u anybody attending [1:23:10] virtually? [1:23:12] » We need a seconder, right? Or do we have [1:23:14] one? We need a seconder, I think. [1:23:16] » Can I second? [1:23:17] » Okay. Yeah, I'll second it. Well, I I [1:23:20] was just hoping with some words. [1:23:22] » Okay. So, I'm I'm Okay. So, I'm doing [1:23:28] » I'll happily second. [1:23:29] » Okay. Yeah. [1:23:30] » Okay. Great. [1:23:30] » Thank you. [1:23:32] » Multiple sectors. Um any discussion um [1:23:35] from all you quiet folks on the on the [1:23:37] screen there that I'm looking at? [1:23:39] » Janelle and company. [1:23:42] » Nope. [1:23:42] » No. I I just really appreciate this and [1:23:45] I'll just make a comment. I appreciate [1:23:46] Charlene bringing up about children uh [1:23:49] because this is one thing that it's [1:23:51] difficult for our family is we see [1:23:53] accessible places for children but that [1:23:55] doesn't mean that the activities that [1:23:57] are included are accessible. So I [1:23:59] appreciate opportunity to hear this and [1:24:01] yeah [1:24:04] » Counc [1:24:05] and [1:24:07] you know it's an opportunity for you [1:24:09] know the member of council that's going [1:24:11] to bring this motion forward to their [1:24:14] council to as just a reminder of maybe [1:24:18] previous process you know your normal [1:24:20] process of what you did at Jubilee Park [1:24:22] which seemed to be really good and I [1:24:24] think what the committee members of the [1:24:27] committee were pointing [1:24:28] out today is disappointment [1:24:32] that there wasn't that uh consultation [1:24:36] for Wayne Road Park um as there had been [1:24:40] in the past though [1:24:43] and councelor Newton then I think we [1:24:45] should bring the questions [1:24:49] she was still around the process on this [1:24:51] about how so I [1:24:55] um [1:24:57] weighing into each local government's [1:25:00] sort of governance and their processes. [1:25:02] I struggle with this being outside. I [1:25:05] appreciate the advocacy side of what [1:25:07] this committee is, you know, jumping up [1:25:09] and down and doing um how this is [1:25:12] coming. I mean through the process I [1:25:14] struggle with a little bit just from [1:25:18] what's involved. [1:25:20] I absolutely agree that this should have [1:25:23] come forward as council efforts. You [1:25:26] know what you guys did in Jubilee Park [1:25:28] was great. [1:25:31] » Yeah. I I [1:25:33] » Do you have another suggestion on how we [1:25:35] can uh get it on board? [1:25:37] » No, I don't have another suggestion [1:25:38] because I think this committee should [1:25:41] review it, but I just my problem is with [1:25:44] how it how it's coming back forward [1:25:46] through the process. [1:25:47] » Yeah, understood. [1:25:49] Okay, I'll call the question. All in [1:25:50] favor of the motion. [1:25:53] Uh [1:25:54] » Against [1:25:56] period. [1:26:01] » Thanks guys. [1:26:03] » Thank you for your help with that. [1:26:05] » Can I just say [1:26:06] » Yes? [1:26:07] » Is it Are we able to do the accessible [1:26:09] parking before Ben goes? [1:26:13] » Oh, just because [1:26:15] Yeah, [1:26:15] » Sure. [1:26:17] » That's okay with you. [1:26:18] » Yes. [1:26:18] » Or I mean, sorry, I was going to say [1:26:20] that there's a reason for my departure. [1:26:22] I'd love to stay. I've got [1:26:24] » If the accessible park is related to [1:26:26] bylaw, so I'll be able to [1:26:27] » Okay. [1:26:28] » Okay. [1:26:29] » Off you go. It's nice to see everybody. [1:26:32] » Thank you, too. [1:26:38] » Okay. Accessibility at Mary Whitespear [1:26:40] Center. [1:26:41] » Yes, that's coming to me again. Um quite [1:26:44] some time ago it it was brought up that [1:26:47] Mary Windspar would like uh input from [1:26:50] the committee on accessibility issues at [1:26:52] Mary Windsor. Somehow that got dropped [1:26:54] and nothing ever happened. Um I have [1:26:57] been talking with Denny Warner from Mary [1:26:59] Winspair and she's very interested in [1:27:02] our committee um helping with any kind [1:27:05] of accessibility [1:27:06] um information notes. Um she did say um [1:27:11] this didn't print out very well that she [1:27:13] was um looking for some uh assistance [1:27:17] regarding accessibility for the center [1:27:20] um accessibility with washrooms, [1:27:22] signage, parking or any other um sensory [1:27:26] issues, any kind of issues that we could [1:27:29] do. um she was not able to make this [1:27:31] meeting today, but wanted to know if our [1:27:33] committee would be um in a position that [1:27:36] we could maybe help out, do an audit, [1:27:38] meet with her, whatever. And I just [1:27:40] wanted to I I certainly have got my [1:27:43] ideas of what I'd like to see at Mary [1:27:47] laughing at me because he can figure [1:27:49] those out. Um, but I think we all bring [1:27:52] our our expertise on this committee to [1:27:56] that and to see uh Mary Winspair and the [1:27:58] community tackle some of these [1:28:00] accessibility issues. So, I just wanted [1:28:03] to know whether that's something that [1:28:05] other members of the committee would be [1:28:06] willing to to work on with us. [1:28:09] » Certainly, I would. I I know I certif. [1:28:14] » So I my suggestion would be to for Miss [1:28:17] Warner to make a formal request to SP [1:28:20] back either you know to appear um at at [1:28:24] a meeting in the future. she wasn't [1:28:26] available today. Um, you know, to to, [1:28:30] you know, maybe send some questions in [1:28:31] advance or if she's looking for an [1:28:33] on-site sort of thing to send, you know, [1:28:37] a formal request to SPAC outlining what [1:28:39] are the things they want feedback on and [1:28:42] then SPAC can respond at that time. [1:28:45] » Okay. Are you comfortable writing that? [1:28:47] » Yeah. So would that would the formal [1:28:49] request come to SPACK or does it have to [1:28:52] go through council to come to SPACK [1:28:57] process? [1:28:58] » I want to know what the process is. [1:29:00] » I think that's where we have a gray area [1:29:03] what this committee's role is and [1:29:05] without a doubt [1:29:07] » Providing some guidance and input. Um, [1:29:10] but I be curious what our terms of [1:29:12] reference state about who we can invite [1:29:16] in to request input from uh from the [1:29:21] wealth of knowledge in this room about [1:29:23] how that works. And not to say that I [1:29:25] don't think that there's some great [1:29:28] input that could be provided, but it's [1:29:30] just um I think this role the committee [1:29:33] is still from the local government side [1:29:35] of things on how that comes forward. [1:29:39] Keep [1:29:40] » I guess what what I would say I think [1:29:42] the terms of reference talk about you [1:29:44] know education sort of of the broader [1:29:47] community certainly there's a role in [1:29:49] providing direct um feedback to the [1:29:52] local governments but I'm recollecting [1:29:56] although I can't remember who other [1:29:59] organizations that have come here for [1:30:01] feedback on different uh different [1:30:04] things that haven't necessarily gone [1:30:07] through our ours. [1:30:09] » Yeah. The airport and the panorama. [1:30:12] » Oh, yeah. Right. Yeah. So, [1:30:14] » Peninsula f festivities. [1:30:17] » Oh, yeah. Peninsula celebrations. Um, [1:30:20] you know, they're a community group that [1:30:23] provides [1:30:24] » Maybe I'll have to refer refresh my [1:30:26] memory about [1:30:28] make sure that [1:30:29] » That Yeah, that's fine. Well, and that [1:30:32] was my question with this. Is is this [1:30:34] something that comes formally to us or [1:30:36] do we just individually say, "Okay, [1:30:39] we're we're meeting with you, Denny." [1:30:41] » Oh, well, that's another way of [1:30:43] » Of doing it. Al although I think I think [1:30:46] it would be good to have kind of an [1:30:49] official spa [1:30:52] uh presence because Sydney and North [1:30:54] Sanage anyways contribute significantly [1:30:58] to Mary Winspear Center and I think we [1:31:00] have kind of a real interest I would [1:31:04] think of ensuring that the municipal [1:31:08] facilities that we we support [1:31:10] financially [1:31:12] um you know that there's some concern [1:31:15] about accessibility there and it would [1:31:18] be of interest. [1:31:20] » Plus, we have a breadth of experience on [1:31:22] the committee that would be different [1:31:25] than just Charlene and I going for [1:31:26] example. We want to consider all of the [1:31:30] u [1:31:32] the whole community not just the [1:31:34] mobility challenge community. [1:31:39] So looking at this from the reference [1:31:40] does say that uh committee identified [1:31:42] barriers for persons with disabilities [1:31:44] in the community and recommends [1:31:45] solutions for consideration by the San [1:31:48] Mins local governments as well as [1:31:52] sharing [1:31:54] committees and organizations. [1:32:02] So, um [clears throat] maybe we can [1:32:04] co-write a letter, send it off, and [1:32:06] we'll get some feedback. [1:32:07] » Okay. [1:32:08] » Yeah. Yeah. [1:32:10] » Okay, that works. Thank you. [1:32:14] » All right. Now, we're on to um item D. [1:32:17] Sydney wave f wayfinding markings. We [1:32:20] talked about this a couple of meetings [1:32:21] ago, and I think uh Mr. Wellland was [1:32:24] kind enough to offer his observations. [1:32:26] So, thank you. [1:32:29] Yeah, go ahead. [1:32:33] Uh yeah, thank you. [1:32:36] Uh all right. So the uh [1:32:40] I've used the term wayfinding and and in [1:32:44] other conversations people have talked [1:32:46] about tactile markings. Um they're the [1:32:49] same thing. Um [1:32:52] and uh whether that whether the tactile [1:32:55] feature be grooves in the concrete or uh [1:32:59] twizzies. Um [1:33:02] that's that's really what I was looking [1:33:04] at. And so um [1:33:09] I I uh conducted an audit um between [1:33:13] April 25th and May 7th of this year. [1:33:18] Um [1:33:20] both [1:33:22] uh [1:33:24] on my own and uh with my partner who is [1:33:27] uh totally blind. Um [1:33:31] and uh what we did is uh took kind of a [1:33:35] grid approach and went from um Highway [1:33:39] 17 and Beacon Avenue [1:33:42] um all the way over to uh First Street [1:33:45] and the waterfront uh the pier um [1:33:51] from Beavenon [1:33:53] Beacon [1:33:55] uh James White and uh Sydney [1:33:59] Um and then went a little bit beyond [1:34:02] that to Henry Avenue as well. Uh and [1:34:05] also to Mill Road and Rest Haven. [1:34:09] Um [1:34:10] so [1:34:13] uh I I made notes of uh what I was [1:34:16] seeing there and I also took photographs [1:34:18] of uh many of the the features um on the [1:34:22] on the concrete. Um so the briefly the [1:34:27] findings were um that [1:34:31] uh so in terms of the way that I I did [1:34:34] this I I looked at a corner as being [1:34:37] four corners right so an intersection [1:34:40] has four corners so I looked at what's [1:34:42] going on in the northeast the northwest [1:34:45] southeast southwest whatever um and so [1:34:49] in terms of the the numbering that's [1:34:51] that's where that's coming from So there [1:34:53] are 54 corners [1:34:56] in that grid that I just described that [1:35:01] have no markings at all. [1:35:03] Um anywhere that there's cobblestone, at [1:35:06] least that's what I'm calling it, the [1:35:08] cobblestones, uh there are no marks of [1:35:11] any sort. [1:35:15] Um the other feature that I notice is [1:35:18] that where there are grooves in the [1:35:21] concrete that are meant to be um tactile [1:35:24] markings, [1:35:26] uh there is little consistency [1:35:29] in the way that those markings are [1:35:32] displayed. So I found that there were 20 [1:35:35] corners where the grooves parallel the [1:35:38] road and there are 19 corners [1:35:43] where it's the opposite way. [1:35:47] There are also at least five corners uh [1:35:52] which are newer and uh have grooves at [1:35:56] right angles, [1:35:58] right? [1:36:01] And [1:36:04] so, [1:36:08] excuse me just a moment. [1:36:14] Yeah. Uh, so one of the features that I [1:36:18] noticed uh was that there are corners [1:36:21] where [1:36:23] uh there are maybe three sections to [1:36:26] grooves. [1:36:27] Uh so that there is a a a section that [1:36:30] has grooves that are um parallel to to [1:36:35] say the this road u the one that's going [1:36:38] north north south and then grooves that [1:36:41] are parallel to the uh east west road [1:36:45] but then there's another set that are in [1:36:48] between that. [1:36:50] So although [1:36:52] we have [1:36:55] Sydney Council who have uh you know [1:36:58] reached out to the Ministry of [1:37:00] Transportation [1:37:01] uh with concerns about the Highway 17 [1:37:05] and Beacon Avenue intersection where [1:37:08] these uh grooves and Twizzies are [1:37:11] misaligned. [1:37:13] Uh, Sydney has its own problems [1:37:17] in the sense that wherever these arcs or [1:37:22] um three section grooves are, you have [1:37:26] the potential to lead someone who is [1:37:28] blind right into the middle of traffic [1:37:32] going basically kitty corner. Um, [1:37:35] so [1:37:37] although I agree that the Ministry of [1:37:39] Transportation needs to get its act [1:37:41] together, so does Sydney. [1:37:45] Um, the only corners with twizzies, [1:37:48] which are the tactile markings, the [1:37:50] yellow plastic ones, [1:37:53] um, is at that Highway 17 and Beacon [1:37:57] intersection. I'm not saying that's the [1:37:59] only ones. That's not necessarily the [1:38:02] only ones in all of Sydney, but within [1:38:04] the large grid that I talked about, [1:38:06] there are no other ones. [1:38:10] Um, [1:38:11] the other thing about those twizzies is [1:38:15] that they're not directional twizzies. [1:38:19] They're only warning twizzies. [1:38:21] So they can't necessarily uh direct the [1:38:25] user in any particular direction. Uh the [1:38:28] grooves can. Um and what I discovered as [1:38:32] a cited person is that it's very easy to [1:38:36] uh to [1:38:39] to basically as a sighted person to kind [1:38:42] of line up the grooves. If you're [1:38:44] looking at the ones that are going to um [1:38:48] uh be parallel [1:38:50] to the walkway, to the crosswalk lines, [1:38:55] uh you can basically line those up by [1:38:57] your eye and go, "Oh, yeah, okay, that [1:38:59] works." But the problem is that if [1:39:02] you're blind, you're not using your eyes [1:39:05] to line up to crosswalk. You're going by [1:39:08] whatever direction those those grooves [1:39:10] are are directing you. uh to to [1:39:15] basically for for you to they're [1:39:17] directing you to go in a certain [1:39:19] direction. Um and [1:39:22] » [clears throat] [1:39:22] » Uh and as I've said in some cases that [1:39:26] is directing person into the flow of [1:39:29] traffic. Um the other thing that I [1:39:31] noticed is that both the on and off [1:39:35] ramps to Highway 17 [1:39:39] uh have crosswalks. [1:39:42] Um [1:39:45] but there's no uh there's no control of [1:39:48] of traffic there. Uh so somebody who's [1:39:51] blind who goes wants to go across this [1:39:55] let's say the offramp [1:39:58] um [1:40:00] they are not going to be able to know [1:40:02] whether there's traffic coming uh to go [1:40:04] on the beacon. [1:40:08] Um the other thing is that that is also [1:40:12] true of all of the crosswalks that are [1:40:15] on Beacon that go across Beacon. Uh [1:40:18] there's no traffic control there. [1:40:20] There's no um and and in addition there [1:40:23] are no markings um for those particular [1:40:26] crosswalks and the same is true of the [1:40:29] traffic circle at uh first and beacon. [1:40:34] There were no markings [1:40:36] and there's no traffic control there. [1:40:39] Um, [1:40:51] now when you look at uh oh um yeah, let [1:40:56] me say this first. Uh when you look at [1:40:58] the uh two traffic control uh crosswalks [1:41:03] that I looked at, um [1:41:07] they have warning lights for traffic, [1:41:11] but they don't have sound. [1:41:14] So the one that's most concerning, I [1:41:16] think, is the one at Mill Road and Rest [1:41:19] Haven, where it's just south of that [1:41:21] intersection. Uh so it's at the Shaw [1:41:23] Center. [1:41:31] Um [1:41:38] the other thing about that particular [1:41:40] crosswalk is that [1:41:44] the traffic does not always heed the um [1:41:47] crosswalk warning lights. Um, this has [1:41:51] been reported to me, but I also observed [1:41:54] it when I was doing my audit and [1:41:57] standing there. Um, there were a number [1:41:59] of vehicles that just went right through [1:42:01] there. Um, and that's particularly [1:42:05] concerning. [1:42:09] Uh, another feature that I looked at was [1:42:11] the directional posts on Beacon Avenue. [1:42:15] These are the ones that um direct people [1:42:18] to where businesses are. [1:42:21] Uh none of those posts are accessible to [1:42:24] the blind or people with low vision. Uh [1:42:27] what they would probably need is raised [1:42:29] lettering and braille. They have none. [1:42:39] Um, I also looked at access through [1:42:41] glass beach [1:42:44] which is not particularly accessible to [1:42:46] blind for people with low. In fact, it [1:42:50] could be potentially quite dangerous for [1:42:52] them. Um there are railings that go down [1:42:56] the stairs that [1:43:02] there is a concrete platform at the end [1:43:04] of those stairs with no railing. So if [1:43:08] person who's blind was able to manage to [1:43:11] get down that far, they would quite [1:43:13] easily walk off of the concrete and onto [1:43:16] the rocks or the sand. [1:43:19] Um and that goes a little bit beyond [1:43:23] you know, it might need markings, but um [1:43:27] in terms of the railings and such. Um [1:43:30] but there also are no [1:43:32] tactile markings anywhere around those [1:43:35] stairs to warn someone that there are [1:43:37] indeed stairs there. [1:43:43] And uh I think that's about it. [1:43:48] » Great. Thanks very much. That was a [1:43:50] pretty comprehensive tour around Sydney. [1:43:53] Um, [1:43:55] any questions of Mr. Willen? [1:43:57] » Charlie, [1:43:58] » I just thanks for doing that, Richard. I [1:44:00] I've certainly since being on this [1:44:02] committee and having had Vanessa on the [1:44:04] committee, I've paid more attention to [1:44:06] to crosswalks than ever I did because I [1:44:09] only looked at could I get on them with [1:44:10] my wheelchair and now I'm looking at [1:44:13] them in a whole different light. like [1:44:14] when so those rounded ones that you're [1:44:16] talking about that sends them into any [1:44:18] any direction [1:44:21] » They work great for me but they are a [1:44:22] nightmare for a low vision and blind [1:44:24] person um and and I bring this up [1:44:27] because you did a a great comprehensive [1:44:29] study of Sydney um North Sanage is [1:44:32] looking at uh I know they brought up [1:44:34] redoing uh the walkway along uh East [1:44:37] Sanich Road between McTavish and the [1:44:39] roundabout at the airport. Um, and they [1:44:42] also put in a crosswalk on the top of [1:44:44] Dean Park Road and they put one of those [1:44:46] cord corners in. It's a nightmare for a [1:44:49] low vision person. Um, so again, I think [1:44:52] it's it's that we start paying attention [1:44:54] as we're we're we're doing some of these [1:44:57] changes and developments that there's [1:44:58] got to be more consistency and in how [1:45:01] we're doing it. And um so I am I am now [1:45:05] finding that I'm driving around looking [1:45:07] at crosswalks and and curb cuts and and [1:45:10] you're right there's and this this is [1:45:13] part of progressing as we learn more and [1:45:15] do more um that we're we are getting [1:45:18] better with directional ones. So I think [1:45:19] we need to to find a consistency so that [1:45:23] people know [1:45:25] and again as a tri municipal committee [1:45:29] and and I'm I'm somebody who very rarely [1:45:32] leaves the peninsula. So to have a [1:45:34] standard that works central Sanage, [1:45:37] North Sanage and Sydney so that we have [1:45:39] got a a standard um just makes it easier [1:45:43] for everybody who's trying to to [1:45:46] navigate their world. Um, so thank you [1:45:49] for doing all of that. I It's something [1:45:51] I've been paying more attention to as [1:45:53] well. [1:45:53] » Yes, you're new. Yeah, certainly. I [1:45:56] think all of these students [1:46:00] known about where their deficiencies are [1:46:02] from work is fully done. I think going [1:46:04] forward is what we're really trying to [1:46:06] look at. So I guess my question [1:46:10] the controlled intersections whether [1:46:14] it's walk signals or crosswalks do we [1:46:17] have focus [1:46:20] probably the wrong persons are here with [1:46:21] engineering but is there like a [1:46:23] difference between a controlled signal [1:46:26] and then a signal with the auditory [1:46:29] component to it that would be a standard [1:46:32] to use when we look at going forward but [1:46:34] there cost perspective [1:46:37] probably much different. [1:46:41] » Yeah, [clears throat] [1:46:46] » Picking up on that theme, if you don't [1:46:48] mind. Um, so the ones that were rec more [1:46:51] recently done at Sydney, it's a new [1:46:52] standard, I presume. Um they as a as a [1:46:57] lay person, they seem to be [1:46:58] appropriately done with the markings [1:47:01] heading into the crosswalk. Uh [1:47:03] irregardless of the the [clears throat] [1:47:05] controlled crossing, they seem to be uh [1:47:07] appropriate because I think I think what [1:47:09] happens is you're supposed to be able to [1:47:10] put your cane in the groove and and [1:47:12] follow that groove to the path of [1:47:14] travel, right? [1:47:16] » That was that's my impression as to the [1:47:18] way it's supposed to work. Um there are [1:47:21] certainly uh problems inherent in that [1:47:24] in that system which I'd be happy to [1:47:26] talk about. Um I I think um for a a cane [1:47:33] user who is not used to that uh and [1:47:37] particularly if you're using your cane [1:47:40] uh and going about Sydney. [1:47:42] » Yeah. Right. and running into the [1:47:44] inconsistencies. [1:47:46] Um you you then I think become unclear [1:47:50] as to what you know which direction am I [1:47:53] supposed to be following here. Um but I [1:47:57] think from a [clears throat] structural [1:47:58] point of view the problem with the [1:48:01] grooving in the sidewalks is um that [1:48:07] they they fill with [1:48:10] debris. Um, they also are more [1:48:14] expensive, I would think, to change. [1:48:17] Uh, whereas if you put down the Twizzy, [1:48:20] you can unscrew it and move it somewhere [1:48:22] else or rearrange it or whatever. Um, [1:48:27] you can't do that with concrete grooves. [1:48:29] You have to break up the concrete and [1:48:31] redo the whole thing. [1:48:33] That's got to be more costly. [1:48:38] And it said if the grooves are filling [1:48:40] with debris then then they lose their [1:48:43] their use. [1:48:45] That's [1:48:45] » Key. Uh thank you. Um I'm also thinking [1:48:50] about you know how how we move forward [1:48:53] on this. I mean I know it's something [1:48:56] that's come up in the past. Um, [1:49:01] but what I don't know is whether there's [1:49:05] a plan to address these things. Like for [1:49:08] example, I know that we, you know, when [1:49:11] Vanessa was here, we had discussions [1:49:13] about the scoring lines and that and [1:49:15] that's and initially staff's response [1:49:17] was there's a standard that we follow. [1:49:21] um what we ended up finding out is that [1:49:23] yeah, there's a standard, but how it was [1:49:25] actually being constructed was being [1:49:28] misunderstood. [1:49:30] And so I think there is now that [1:49:33] understanding. And so the ones the [1:49:36] intersections on Beacon, the new ones [1:49:38] that they've done, all seem good, but [1:49:41] there's these ones throughout the [1:49:42] community that are and I see them. You [1:49:45] know, there's a lot of them and I don't [1:49:48] know whether staff are aware of those [1:49:51] and I don't know [1:49:54] that there's a plan to correct those. [1:49:58] So, [1:49:58] » I'm also interested in Charlene's [1:50:00] comment about standardization because I [1:50:02] know that Central Sanders is going to [1:50:03] make a heck of a lot of improvements to [1:50:05] along Mount Newton, etc. And they'll [1:50:08] want to be incorporating some of those [1:50:10] ideas, I'm sure. [1:50:12] » Yeah. Well, and from what I understand [1:50:14] previously from staff is there there is [1:50:16] that municipal standard for [1:50:18] accessibility that they follow. But you [1:50:21] know where we sometimes miss the mark [1:50:24] and that's where they missed the mark [1:50:25] with Ministry of Transportation is that [1:50:28] you know you get contractors in to do [1:50:30] the work that don't necessarily are very [1:50:33] familiar with it and so they don't [1:50:36] implement the standard accurately. So, [1:50:39] what I'm I guess what I'm struggling [1:50:41] with is [1:50:43] you know how we whether there's a way to [1:50:47] return to uh you know put all of what [1:50:51] you've got there into like a kind of a [1:50:55] report or in writing with the pictures [1:50:57] so that we could whether that would be [1:51:00] useful for staff [1:51:02] and Mr. uh newcome or any thoughts he [1:51:06] might have on best ways. [1:51:09] » I'm I'm just drafting an email for [1:51:11] director of engineering just highlight [1:51:13] this discussion [1:51:15] with him and uh he was the uh [1:51:20] engineering tech who designed our [1:51:21] current standard for those coordinates. [1:51:24] uh they can listen to this discussion [1:51:26] and give us some thought in terms of [1:51:31] maybe taking a second look at those that [1:51:34] standard some of the concerns that you [1:51:36] raised or uh I mean it's also come up at [1:51:40] the highway intersection obviously and [1:51:42] some of the drawbacks of that approach [1:51:45] uh there's no solution um anyway I I [1:51:49] will raise it with them say that can't [1:51:53] make [1:51:56] Yeah. So I I like I think there should [1:51:59] I'm feeling there should be some sort of [1:52:02] resolution [1:52:04] but I'm just struggling about what the [1:52:07] recommendation might be. Um [1:52:10] » Other option might be gather more [1:52:12] information for staff on having you know [1:52:16] maybe someone from engineering come [1:52:18] present on what our approach has been to [1:52:22] date. We'll know that that's done. [1:52:26] » You know what? I you know what? I kind [1:52:28] of I like that idea because um then at [1:52:32] least engineering can tell us what they [1:52:35] actually are doing and maybe they do [1:52:36] have a plan rather than the committee [1:52:39] making a recommendation and it's kind of [1:52:42] you know moot because staff already [1:52:45] know. So maybe the motion could be that [1:52:50] uh we we ask engineering staff from the [1:52:54] municipalities to attend the next back [1:52:57] meeting to talk about accessibility at [1:53:01] intersections. [1:53:03] You're asking. [1:53:08] » Sorry. You're asking the council that [1:53:10] said they're [1:53:19] » Oh, okay. [1:53:22] » Okay. [1:53:25] » Yeah. Okay. [1:53:28] Good. [1:53:30] » Thanks again, Richard. [1:53:31] » Thank you. Welcome. I think we had a [1:53:33] letter to the uh airport authority which [1:53:37] seems self [1:53:38] explanatory. [1:53:39] » Yeah. [1:53:40] » Um I just wanted to mention that the uh [1:53:44] and it's posted here the island de and [1:53:46] harden of hearing center was closed uh [1:53:50] rather suddenly. They ran out of money [1:53:52] and um their government's contract [1:53:55] expired a couple years ago but they ran [1:53:56] out of money like at June 30th and there [1:53:59] was very little notice given to anybody. [1:54:01] So that the uh deaf and heart of hearing [1:54:03] community are really struggling because [1:54:04] that was their their go-to spot for all [1:54:08] things, you know, for for uh social [1:54:11] activity, for getting uformational [1:54:13] resources, for u um figuring out what to [1:54:17] do with their children's education, [1:54:19] [clears throat] all those things. And uh [1:54:22] so I'm I just raise it so people can [1:54:24] think about what we might be able to do [1:54:26] for our deaf and heart heart of hearing [1:54:28] people in our community perhaps. um um [1:54:32] beacon community services where the Shaw [1:54:34] Center could be at least a meeting place [1:54:36] for people. You might want to um run [1:54:38] that up the flag pole and see where it [1:54:41] goes. [1:54:43] » Yes. So, I'm going to uh unfortunately [1:54:45] those people from the disability [1:54:48] um alliance of BC had to leave, but I'll [1:54:51] follow up with them as well to see if [1:54:53] they can offer some assistance. [1:54:57] Okay. Any more thoughts on that? [1:55:01] » Yeah, [1:55:03] » I'll work on the Shaw Center, but I [1:55:05] think that that's [1:55:07] probably [1:55:08] considered anyways [1:55:11] resource [1:55:13] maybe states. [1:55:15] » Yeah. Much much like the White Cane [1:55:16] Club, at least if people had a chance to [1:55:18] go there, I I think they go there and [1:55:20] they they play cards or they exchange [1:55:22] stories or information. Um much like I'm [1:55:26] sure the White Gang Club does. So it' be [1:55:28] would be ideal I think. [1:55:31] » Okay. And then we have uh one letter [1:55:33] which um I don't think was really [1:55:34] accessibility oriented but it's there [1:55:36] for information. [1:55:37] » Can we do my parking? [1:55:41] » Yes. Did I fly by that? [1:55:43] » Yeah. [1:55:45] » Oh yeah. Are you going to counselor GPD [1:55:48] is gonna [1:55:50] » Yes. Go ahead. [1:55:50] » Yeah. So I just wanted to bring up the [1:55:53] and again I I realize that North Sanage [1:55:55] is busy. They're they've got all sorts [1:55:57] of stuff going on. Part of the just a [1:56:00] bit of a background in 2018 the province [1:56:03] took accessible parking out of the [1:56:04] building code and it was up to every [1:56:07] municipality, city, whatever to come up [1:56:08] with their own accessible parking [1:56:10] standards. Um we started working with [1:56:12] Sydney, North Sanich and and um central [1:56:16] Sanich and came up with accessibility [1:56:19] plans that were kind of the best case [1:56:21] scenario. at the time Nor Sanich put one [1:56:25] through that they followed the FCA B651 [1:56:29] which was the the Canadian standard [1:56:32] which we then found out was not optimal [1:56:36] but at that time North Sanage was [1:56:38] putting it through with other bylaw [1:56:40] changes and they they were going to said [1:56:43] no problem we'll just push this through [1:56:45] when we do the OCP we will improve on [1:56:48] that [1:56:50] was 2019 So, we hit the pandemic, we hit [1:56:54] new council, we hit new planners. Um, [1:56:57] nothing [1:56:59] got changed. Um, we now have [1:57:04] we're we're going into another election [1:57:05] cycle. There's this draft zoning bylaw [1:57:09] has been put forward and I did see that [1:57:11] in it in um [1:57:14] the the draft zoning bylaw the [1:57:16] accessible parking is under 404 in the [1:57:19] bylaw and they have just said that they [1:57:21] are going to use the the SCAB 651 [1:57:25] standard again which again is not the [1:57:27] acceptable standard. Last July at the [1:57:31] SPACK meeting, we were told that North [1:57:33] Sanage would harmonize with Central [1:57:35] Sanage and Sydney's accessible parking. [1:57:39] So, the reason I bring this up now is [1:57:42] because like the the expediency that [1:57:44] Wayne Rogue was put through uh the [1:57:46] neglect to bring Wolf Orchard to us, I [1:57:50] want to make sure that this draft zoning [1:57:52] bylaw doesn't get approved with this [1:57:55] accessible parking standard. So I don't [1:57:58] know whether it's something that do I [1:57:59] bring a a a recommendation that this [1:58:03] accessibility [1:58:06] zoning bylaw is not accepted without [1:58:08] bringing it to SPAC for our input. Um [1:58:12] because I as things stand right now [1:58:16] North Sanage does not have an accessible [1:58:18] parking standard that allows me to park [1:58:20] anywhere with my Side Wrap van. Um, [1:58:24] Sandown Center was a missed opportunity. [1:58:27] I don't go there because there's no [1:58:28] parking for me. Um, the Roost just redid [1:58:32] their accessible parking at their place. [1:58:35] Does not have parking for me. So, we've [1:58:37] missed an opportunity in this eight [1:58:39] years that we've been not doing anything [1:58:41] with the accessible parking at North [1:58:43] Sanage. We've missed opportunities. And [1:58:46] as we all know, once they've been done [1:58:48] according to whatever the bylaw was when [1:58:50] they built it, that's what stands. [1:58:53] So I just wanted to do I don't know [1:58:55] going forward I want to make sure we [1:58:57] don't miss an opportunity with North [1:58:59] Sage. [1:59:00] » So councelor DBT what what is it you [1:59:02] need from us to make that happen? [1:59:05] » I mean I think I think like other things [1:59:07] that you know I think we were getting to [1:59:09] a really good place where we were just [1:59:11] expecting you know like central sage [1:59:13] where they just automatically come. Uh [1:59:15] that hasn't been happening from us. So I [1:59:18] think uh you know if Spack makes a [1:59:19] recommendation requesting that the [1:59:22] zoning bylaw be presented and even in [1:59:26] that motion at a you know and I missed [1:59:30] writing down the exact [1:59:31] » And that it be harmonized with the other [1:59:33] two municipalities [1:59:34] » Right and that can either come up out of [1:59:36] that presentation and conversation or [1:59:38] that can just come up as part of the [1:59:39] recommendation either of those are [1:59:43] a okay [1:59:45] » Uh councelor O'Keefe Um just looking to [1:59:47] Mr. Nukem and from Central Sandwich. So [1:59:52] have I think we have harmonized like [1:59:55] between does Sydney and Central Sanage [1:59:57] have have we harmonized our accessible [2:00:00] parking? Is it [2:00:03] » I believe it's similar. [2:00:06] » Okay. [2:00:10] » Place [2:00:12] council made a change or two that was [2:00:14] adopted. Okay. [2:00:17] » Okay. So, I guess one way of going at [2:00:19] So, there's something specific that [2:00:21] you've identified. So you could we could [2:00:25] make a motion that Norah Sanage change [2:00:30] the zoning bylaw or section blah blah [2:00:33] blah of the zoning bylaw related to [2:00:36] whatever that se you know that standard [2:00:39] was or or just say that in instead of [2:00:42] adopting that standard that North Sanich [2:00:46] adopt the accessible parking standards [2:00:50] uh or or harmonize their accessible [2:00:53] parking standards with Sydney and [2:00:56] Central Sanage. [2:00:58] » What what was mentioned to me is I think [2:01:00] where North Sanich was having a bit of a [2:01:02] problem and it was told to me that [2:01:04] they're different because they're rural. [2:01:07] I think where they didn't want to [2:01:08] harmonize with Sydney and Central Sanage [2:01:11] was in the [2:01:13] ratio of parking spaces and accessible [2:01:17] spaces, which to me, figure out figure [2:01:20] out your ratios for your building, [2:01:22] whatever with your parking, [2:01:25] but don't skimp on the actual size of [2:01:29] your parking. Right? [2:01:31] » So, I'm not sure why that would be. I [2:01:34] mean, if you're going to have a grocery [2:01:36] store, whether it's in a rural area or [2:01:40] » Exactly. [2:01:40] » Like sand down is like a shopping and [2:01:44] » So I just again uh so I don't know how [2:01:48] my my impetus in bringing this is I just [2:01:51] wanted to make sure that this wouldn't [2:01:53] progress any further in without it being [2:01:56] looked at and made sure that we're doing [2:01:57] it in the best possible way. Um, so to [2:02:00] make a recommendation uh that SPACK [2:02:03] recommends that North Sanage not proceed [2:02:05] with their um with the draft zoning [2:02:08] bylaw accessible parking portion until [2:02:10] they present it to to SPACK for [2:02:14] » It might be short it might be a shorter [2:02:16] route to do what councelor [2:02:18] » So so what I so what I was just to [2:02:21] finish my thought that kind of ran [2:02:23] » It must have been good because Anna [2:02:24] actually typed it [2:02:25] » To to make the specific recommendations [2:02:28] to harmonize their accessible parking [2:02:31] with Sydney and Central Sanage. Make [2:02:36] that one. And then if you thought that [2:02:38] there was other elements of the zoning [2:02:40] bylaw that were relevant, there's a [2:02:43] whole pile of stuff in the zoning bylaw, [2:02:45] you don't want to be bothered. But if [2:02:47] there was parts of that that you thought [2:02:50] should come to SPACK, then you could [2:02:52] make a second recommendation that [2:02:54] sections, you know, that the the rest of [2:02:57] the bylaw be referred to back for [2:02:59] additional review and comment from an [2:03:01] accessibility perspective. [2:03:04] So, but I don't know what is in their [2:03:06] zoning bylaw and whether you have [2:03:08] something. [2:03:10] » I mean, I just it was all I could do to [2:03:12] zone in on the the draft bylaw and find [2:03:14] the accessible parking. [2:03:17] Yeah. Or sorry [2:03:28] BC1 that we think is uh preferred or [2:03:32] superior. [2:03:33] You're shaking your head. No, [2:03:35] » We don't have a BC1. [2:03:36] » We That's what this whole the discussion [2:03:39] came about a few years ago because there [2:03:41] used to be a provincial standard, right? [2:03:43] And then the province said, "We're not [2:03:45] going to do that anymore. You [2:03:46] municipalities decide what's best for [2:03:48] you." And so that's why there was all [2:03:51] this kuffles in past meetings about, [2:03:54] okay, we were all doing different [2:03:56] standards and had different ideas in our [2:03:58] minist. And so hence the desire for you [2:04:02] know, Sydney and Central Sage did that. [2:04:06] [clears throat] [2:04:06] » And do you mind do you mind reading back [2:04:07] what councelor Keefe said initially and [2:04:10] maybe it's good enough for it? Yes. [2:04:13] » North was there accessible park [2:04:19] » And should we add um before considering [2:04:22] passing the the U [2:04:24] » Well I I think there's there's two [2:04:26] separate things. One is very specific to [2:04:28] parking but the other is accessibility [2:04:30] as it pertains to the entire zoning. [2:04:33] » Yes. [2:04:34] » Accessibility is not just limited to [2:04:35] » Yes. Yeah. And so that's why I would [2:04:38] suggest that a motion not be I mean the [2:04:42] recommendation council can [2:04:43] » Yeah. [2:04:45] Gotcha. [2:04:47] » Um but I think if the motion is to [2:04:50] request that the zoning bylaw be [2:04:53] presented just like the other [2:04:54] municipalities have so that we can [2:04:57] provide feedback so that SPAC can [2:04:59] provide feedback on all accessibility [2:05:01] components within the zoning bylaw. [2:05:05] Then the report is not the entire zoning [2:05:07] bylaw. It's everything that's related to [2:05:09] accessibility. And that way the report [2:05:11] can present the powerpoint to be done up [2:05:13] and then it comes. Now I don't even have [2:05:16] a timeline from staff yet as to when [2:05:18] we're going to see zoning by yet. [2:05:21] So based on that I can suspect that it's [2:05:24] going to be a little while but we've all [2:05:26] seen what's happened previously. So if [2:05:28] if there wants to be something a little [2:05:29] more specific [2:05:31] as far as not to go to second reading [2:05:33] until it's come back that can certainly [2:05:36] be done [2:05:38] but I just don't know what the timeline [2:05:40] is. I think it's important that [2:05:41] [clears throat] [2:05:42] » Just like what Central Sage did with [2:05:44] theirs, it actually comes from [2:05:46] accessibility like just those components [2:05:49] comes back [2:05:54] » To add a little staff perspective on [2:05:56] that motion. It's very wrong. [2:05:58] » Um there was a comment earlier about uh [2:06:01] the the [2:06:03] number of spaces versus you know maybe [2:06:05] the geometric considerations. So you [2:06:08] might want to think about specificity of [2:06:10] it because I agree that you know the the [2:06:12] number of spaces required might be very [2:06:14] different in no sanage in context than [2:06:17] it would be in Sydney for example [2:06:19] » And so are you asking for [2:06:22] the number of required spaces [2:06:25] » The motion by that it's very [2:06:30] » Yeah again my thinking on that was again [2:06:34] I I know the my only perspective I had [2:06:37] with North Sanich and the numbers was [2:06:39] Sandown and they did ask for a variance [2:06:41] to change the numbers. Um I think both [2:06:45] Central Sanich and um [2:06:48] and Sydney both say that no matter what [2:06:51] the what the figuring out number was, [2:06:52] they couldn't adapt the accessible ones. [2:06:55] They couldn't change the accessible ones [2:06:57] according to plan. So I don't I I mean I [2:07:00] know for myself, yes, they might be [2:07:02] smaller numbers or whatever. So, I don't [2:07:04] I don't necessarily know that it get [2:07:06] into the into the weeds of how many [2:07:08] spaces there have to be, but I [2:07:10] definitely think we need to make sure [2:07:11] that we're we're putting in accessible [2:07:14] spaces that work for [2:07:16] » We need to get to the motion and get it [2:07:17] done or we're going to miss [2:07:18] » Get done. Is the standard that you [2:07:21] talked about was that this because was [2:07:23] that the standard my recollection it was [2:07:26] in regards to what the spaces looked [2:07:28] like? [2:07:29] » Yes. [2:07:29] » Right. and so how wide they would be [2:07:32] accessible aisles that sort of thing. So [2:07:35] I think maybe that's what you want to to [2:07:38] Mr. [2:07:39] point that spec specificity [2:07:43] » I was just worried about. [2:07:46] » Yeah, that's know it's too broad. Um, [2:07:50] » So the way to get about that might be am [2:07:53] I going to have I'm really going to have [2:07:54] to leave because I got somebody showing [2:07:56] up in my house at 10 minutes. Um but [2:07:59] would be to adjust the motion to say um [2:08:03] uh for North Sanage to [2:08:07] amend or in in consideration of their [2:08:11] zoning bylaw instead of using standard [2:08:15] blah blah blah [2:08:18] » The standard uh harmonize that with uh [2:08:23] Sydney and North Sanish because that [2:08:26] doesn't get into the number of spaces. [2:08:27] is that only relates to the width of the [2:08:31] space, the accessible aisles, how [2:08:34] they're marked and identified. [2:08:36] » So maybe that's the way around that. And [2:08:39] then the number of spots, that's a whole [2:08:42] other other thing. [2:08:43] » Can you read off the uh the uh standard [2:08:46] number again for [2:08:47] » CSA B651? [2:08:57] Okay, we have a motion seconder. [2:09:00] Mr. Wellland, [2:09:02] any discussion? [2:09:05] All the question all in favor? [2:09:09] Carried. [2:09:10] » Good. We lost all of our people here. [2:09:14] » I think just I know everybody's got to [2:09:17] go the last minute, but I think [2:09:19] Batista's comment about having the [2:09:21] zoning bylaw back. [2:09:23] » Oh, yeah. Another motion. That's a good [2:09:24] idea. lost somewhere on that whether [2:09:31] » Make the motion. [2:09:32] » Sure, I'll make the motion. [2:09:33] » I'll second. [2:09:36] » Yeah. No, fair enough. [2:09:37] » SPAC recommends that the district of [2:09:39] North Sanage present the accessibility [2:09:42] portions of the zoning bylaw to SPACK [2:09:44] prior to adoption [2:09:45] » Or just say refer the zoning bylaw. [2:09:48] Don't say the accessibility because [2:09:54] » That's why you say the accessibility [2:09:55] component because you don't want to sit [2:09:56] here and read 400 pages of a zoning [2:09:58] bylaw. [2:09:59] » I think one the components that are [2:10:02] related to accessibility [2:10:04] » And referent. [2:10:05] » Yeah. [2:10:06] » Referred. Yeah. [2:10:07] » Yeah. [2:10:09] » Okay. [2:10:09] » Okay. [2:10:11] » Seconder [2:10:13] I guess. Okay. Charlie discussion [2:10:17] all in favor [2:10:21] carried [2:10:22] and u motion for adjournment. [2:10:25] [clears throat] [2:10:26] » Lots of people. [2:10:28] » We got to go. We're [2:10:29] » Out of here. [2:10:30] » Thank you everybody. [2:10:32] » Thank you.