Conclusion
The BMCC is committed to ensure that development on the 200 acres of land within the Ring Road occurs in a manner consistent with the high standards expected of a University community. Proposed development plans of the BMCC and plans devised at the recent development charette show extensive residential housing and road construction in the northeast section within the ring road, and residential development in the southern Eagle River catchment area. Currently, development planning is geared towards large-scale high-density development of the northeast region. Data analysis of the area demonstrates that a portion of the biologically diverse, mixed coniferous and deciduous forest should be spared. The analysis agrees with the preservation of Naheeno Park as an off-limits area to development. This ecologically significant region should be preserved, especially due to the high density of streams that form the headwaters of two creeks, one of which is salmonid-bearing. The riparian zones within the ecologically significant region should be made sufficiently large to ensure that construction of surrounding residential housing developments will not negatively impact the habitat of these streams.
Development design is to be consistent with Burnaby's Environmentally Sensitive Areas guidelines for zero net runoff and principles of Stream Stewardship, as set out by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)/B.C. Ministry of Environment, are to be followed. The southwestern area is not a good area for development, as any disruption to the area will result in increased instability and increased construction costs. This area, if developed at all, is likely to become low density as the underlying soils and geology are not able to support larger scales of development. Areas in the northeast have the potential for greater, more commanding views of the future residential community and the Lower Mainland. A significant part of this area is south-facing, and so would offer excellent sun exposure. Areas around the north side would receive less solar exposure, but would be compensated by sweeping views of the North Shore mountains and Burrard Inlet. Steeper slopes offer the opportunity for terracing of the development. Development in the lower-lying southern areas have less potential for large views such as those offered to residents of the northeast. The topography is generally flat with a gentle upwards slope, reducing chances for terracing the community into the hillside and offering views.
Assuming a community of 45,000 (residents and students) in the areas directly in and around Burnaby Mountain, more Police Stations, Fire Halls and Hospitals will be required to serve the needs of the future community over the next 20 years. Currently, police and hospital services are more than 4 km away, and the nearest firehall is about 4 km away from Burnaby Mountain. The nearest hospital with emergency services is the Royal Columbian Hospital, 7.5 km away in New Westminster. Large scale commercial activities such as malls are located outside a 4 km radius of Burnaby Mountain, and adjacent future market community services and amenities will require minimum footprint development consideration. Currently, the bus route is limited greatly to major roads that have very consistent service. Taking into account that most services are found on Hastings, North Road, and Canada Way. Only with the Hastings thoroughfare, are these services reasonably easy to get to in terms of time. In the future, when there are more people coming up to the mountain, and with the proposed new skytrain extensions, perhaps the BMCC can suggest to Translink, the company that is responsible for buses and skytrain, to put a shuttle service from the future skytrain station to and from SFU. Skytrain routes, as they are to be constructed, will be a helpful analysis, in addition to the bus routes. Since we are talking about future projected populations on Burnaby Mountain, it would also be logical to project the future population of the lower mainland, and then do another network analysis based on road times, bicycle routes and bus/skytrain lines. A new analysis will also have to be done if new road intrastructure is implemented, or if there are more cars on the road.
For future analysis, research groups can undertake the following considerations. Soil types can be analyzed and mapped in terms of degrees of erosion and contribution to stormwater runoff and sedimentation of catchment pools. Further, water pressure zones can be mapped in order for B.C. Hydro to expand water supply capabilities on the mountain. Wildlife areas can be mapped to see how much land where animals can habit have been lost to development. Also, water retention ponds can be analyzed, for possible water containment.
<< previous page · next page >>