The city has no overarching design principles for its neighbourhoods, causing neighbourhood debates over retrofitting streets to modern standards of accessibility.
Residents of Calder Crescent filled the council gallery recently, arguing the results of the city's consultation lack foresight on safety.
After council heard from those in favour, and opposed to a sidewalk on Calder, it approved converting the street into a one way with a single sidewalk and parking on both sides of the street.
“Accessibility is a big thing for our residents. I think our deliberation over a sidewalk or no sidewalk is a red herring. It's really about does council, and does our city, want to have a modern, accessible city?” said Revi Lau-a, a resident of the crescent.
“Kids often have to walk in the middle of the road. It's not about the preferences of individuals. It's about what is appropriate and what is right.”
More than 40 children live on the street, as well as elderly residents and newborns, said Lau-a.
Resident Marcy MacDougall spoke to council about her concerns as a mother of three children aged four, six and eight.
Council has an opportunity to fix a “long-standing safety issue,” said MacDougall.
“You can fix a design flaw from 35 years ago."
Calder is a connection to Finlayson Drive, but residents of neighbouring streets weren't consultations, said resident Charles Kalnay-Watson.
“Prioritize the safety of children and those with disabilities over what's easy,” he said.
During the Municipal Services Committee (MSC) meeting, two residents spoke against a sidewalk, arguing the consultation had been completed and that retrofitting the neighbourhood would affect driveway grading.
The city received 19 responses to its survey. Thirty people attended a public meeting on paving of their neighbourhood. However, the population of Calder Crescent is estimated at 112 residents.
It was deja vu Monday during a MSC meeting, with residents from Grace Lake pushing for a paved shoulder in a neighbourhood that has about 20 children.
“There are, on any sunny day, herds of children wandering around the neighbourhood” on Grace Lake Boulevard, said resident Emery Paquin.
The narrow roadway is a safety concern for residents, said Paquin, adding residents are not asking for curbs and sidewalks, but the original design with a paved shoulder.
Funding options for any changes to Grace Lake paving are unclear and administration will return at a future council with information on that matter.
As a result of Engle Business District paving going over budget by $860,000 dollars, the land fund will be drawn down “considerably,” said Sharolynn Woodward, the city's director of corporate services.
Contractors are ready to go and pave Grace Lake, so any changes to the plan will impact the summer paving schedule, said senior administrative officer Sheila Bassi-Kellett.