Link to Website
1. Do you support re-aligning municipal and regional transportation plans and investments to meet the provincial government’s CleanBC target to “reduce distances travelled in light-duty vehicles by 2030 compared to 2020?
Yes I do support the reduction – the Highlands is a community that relies on the services from its surrounding CRD members. 3 years ago Councillor Ann Baird and I gave up our cars and started to challenge ourselves to use E-bike to commute. It has been successful with over 10,000kms clocked. It has also showed us where the improvements are needed.
2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines?
Highlands does support this and in fact has this. The issue comes with RCMP enforcement. Due to curvy roads, the RCMP are not able to properly track, record and enforce the speed limit.
3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to create an active transportation plan and then accelerate its completion?
This has been a challenge, as it has repeatedly been a target for more funding, but has not had the support of the other council members. I will continue tossed budget funds and grant funding to implement the Roadside Trails master plan and support the Nature Trails Society in interconnectivity across the region.
4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?
Yes. This term Councillor Ann Baird raised the issue and it received pushback from DOH Staff so a traffic calming strategy was not implemented. Rural Saanich has implemented examples which the Highlands could use that allows access for snowplows and our emergency response to fire to be unhampered.
5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in the Highlands?
Implementation of the Roadside Trails master plan – 20 years old but more relevant today that 20 years ago.
6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Highlands?
I am unfamiliar with the term AAA bike routes – and appreciate being introduced to it.
7. Do you support welcoming people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use all ages and abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes?
The pocket neighbourhoods do allow easy access for many forms of transportation and recreation, though due to the hills there are certainly challenges faced with interconnecting them for roll routes.
8. Do you support rapidly completing the 24/7 bus lanes for BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus route along the Highway 1 / Sooke Road corridor, as well as similar measures along all of BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus routes across the CRD?
Highlands population density has meant that BC Transit will not consider even a Park and Ride shuttle service at our Community Hall. But in supporting the transit service within the CRD I fully support the re-allocation of road space to provide bus only corridors.
9. With the court-imposed deadline of March 14, 2023 to keep the Island Rail Corridor intact, how would you support modern rail service for Vancouver Island?
Though I support the concept I really do not think that any of the parties involved can make this happen. Even with grant funding to support the initial install, the population density and user demand would likely not feasibly cover operations and management of it. I do see this as being a transitional project where the corridor becomes a trail system, with the intent for future rail.
10. Do you support making transit fares more affordable, both by reducing the cost of passes and individual fares and free or discounted passes for youth, seniors, and people living on low incomes?
Yes
11. Do you support removing the requirements for off-street vehicle parking from new and infill developments while adding requirements for car share, EV charging, bike and other micromobilty parking, as well as expanding accessible parking?
This is not really relevant in the Highlands.
12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within the Highlands, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?
Highlands has worked to make over 40% of its landmass protected parkland. We do not own or manage these parks so accessibility within them is predominantly provincial and CRD jurisdiction.
13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across the Highlands?
We have two public washrooms which have limited operating times and hours. I do not see it feasible with small staff that the Highlands could implement more toilets within district.
0 Comments