FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES
\nMay 6, 2015<\/p>\n
President\u2019s report
\n\u2022\tWeb site \u2013 www.fhca.ca
\n\u2022\tLindsay Ryerson, president
\n\u2022\tFHCA is a volunteer organization \u2013 we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our community such as safety, traffic, development
\n\u2022\tThe FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
\n\u2022\tFHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
\n\u2022\tIf you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
\n\u2022\tIf you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up. You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year.<\/p>\n
Treasurer\u2019s report
\n\u2022\tFinancial statement \u2013 total account balance is $3738.32<\/p>\n
Safety
\nRCMP update on safety and security \u2013 District Commander\/ Sergeant Paul Reshaur – he can be reached at paul.reshaur@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
\n\u2022\tIf you don\u2019t report crimes in Fraser Heights, there will be no record of them so police can\u2019t track the criminals\/hot spots of activity. Call the Non-Emergency RCMP number 604-599-0502 about any incidents, no matter how small they seem. You can also make reports using the new Surrey app called Surrey Request for emergency and non-emergency issues. This app has a link to the RCMP emergency and non-emergency numbers.
\n\u2022\tTwo representatives from the RCMP attended our meeting – Heather Paradis, our crime prevention coordinator (heather.paradis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) and District Commander, Sergeant Paul Reshaur.
\n\u2022\tAuto thefts \u2013 since January 1 to end of April \u2013 about 11 in FH
\n\u2022\tOperation Hot Wheels \u2013 covert and overt police officers are using techniques to bring car theft down
\n\u2022\tCar owners need to use deterrents to significantly reduce theft – keep car doors locked and windows up, remove items from glove compartment, leave nothing in your car and account for your keys (don\u2019t leave them lying around), make sure your anti-theft device is turned on or if your car is older than 2007, use a club on your steering wheel. Set alarms. Some thieves will set off car alarms several times causing owner to turn them off then the thieves come back and steal car. Get good quality devices.
\n\u2022\tTips \u2013 thieves will steal change, empty bottles, chargers etc. \u2013 they break in hoping to find something more than what they can see. Don\u2019t leave items in your car!!
\n\u2022\tIf you go on holidays, hide your car keys.
\n\u2022\tBreak-ins involving garages \u2013 thieves get in through garage (there were just a few in FH. Tip \u2013 remove garage door opener from vehicle \u2013 bring it inside when you leave your car or get a key fob opener to keep on key tag. Newer cars \u2013garage opener codes can be programmed into car \u2013 don\u2019t do that or thieves could get into your garage. Always make sure door between garage and your home is locked.
\n\u2022\tSurrey RCMP website \u2013 visit it to get stats on crime for our area of District 2
\n\u2022\tIn May, the aboriginal Redd Alert gang hit several homes in FH mid-day. Drop the RCMP an email if you see or hear something about these types of crime. 5 homes, between 110 and 112 Aves in the vicinity of 163 St, were hit on one day.
\n\u2022\tPolice have worked with landlords to screen tenants, especially in the areas where criminals have been living.
\n\u2022\tMail theft \u2013 Fraser Heights has a higher number of community mail boxes hit \u2013 because there are more boxes here than in other areas of the City. Target teams have caught people in stolen cars with stolen mail. Thieves have even attached chains to the mailboxes and pulled them right off the bases.
\n\u2022\tThieves have gotten into a few of the new mailboxes. Canada Post is making it more difficult to break into them. Thieves are using big tools so report anyone having these tools (especially if they are hanging out in your neighbourhood) to 604-599-0502.
\n\u2022\tCheck your mailbox daily and try to empty your box soon after delivery. If you are on holidays, get a neighbour or family member to collect your mail. Switch to electronic statements \/ deposits. Report suspicious activity around or near mailboxes. Call Canada Post AND the RCMP to make reports.
\n\u2022\tCanada post is gradually replacing the old mailboxes. The keys for the new boxes are very controlled \u2013 if a key gets stolen, they only have to rekey small # of boxes. It is an offence to possess a key if it is not yours.
\n\u2022\tThere have been many shootings in other areas of Surrey but not in our area. Bill Fordy has made it his mission to stop this \u2013 people involved in this are being named and their pictures are being shown in the media. Road blocks were set up in the areas where there were shootings. Lots of undercover police are involved in solving this problem. Help police survey the community \u2013 report any suspicious behaviours to them. These gang shootings have often been due to cultural\/drug issues.<\/p>\n
Development:
\n\u2022\tCity of Surrey’s East Fraser Heights Land Use Plan – for proposed new developments in Fraser Heights
\n\u2022\tParkview place \u2013 trees on property \u2013 arborist will review this situation and trees will meet specific density
\n\u2022\t160 St\/104 Ave \u2013 for houses being built on this site, noise mitigation is a 6 foot wooden fence that residents will have to try to keep free from graffiti. Houses have triple glazed windows and better insulation etc. to help minimize noise from the #1 Highway. Developers must plant one additional tree per lot. Noise attenuation \u2013 the province has said they do not intend to extend the noise mitigation fencing to include these properties.
\n\u2022\tBeautification \u2013 the strip of land between the new houses and 160 St is owned by the City. City needs to do tree planting and landscaping so fencing will not be as exposed as it is now and to make the entrance to Fraser Heights more attractive.
\n\u2022\tThere will be a new set of guidelines for future development of East Fraser Heights land (this area of FH is considered to be everything east of 172 Street). Don Luymes, manager of community planning from the Planning Department at the City of Surrey, gave a presentation to address this.
\n\u2022\tA number of developers have approached the City about development in East FH. They have started assembling properties so they can go ahead with their plans. City planning staff got together a couple of months ago to plan and coordinate this. Council approved \u2013 1st step is to do an environmental study. They\u2019ll be doing a background baseline \u2013 creeks, ravines riparian, wild life movement, looking for good stands of conifers to protect. Mid June, the early results of this should be available and there will be a public meeting, possibly around Thurs June 25th. The City wants to meet with stake holders such as FHCA, Kindermorgan and other community groups prior to summer. Over the summer, Planning will lay out appropriate land uses, density and possibly a site for another Elementary school..
\n\u2022\tDensity \u2013 vast majority will be single family homes but may have some town houses \u2013 that would be closer to the townhouse\/condo development around 176 St (Hwy 17)\/#1 Hwy.
\n\u2022\tTransition between new development and existing residents will be taken into consideration. Some areas may be resistant to development while other areas may be willing to sell.
\n\u2022\tNCP \u2013 neighbourhood concept plans \u2013 no current development for the large acre properties as they have no services and are on septic.
\n\u2022\tWith the City coordinating the development, items such as parks, schools, sports fields etc. will be addressed as they can be missed when there is peace-meal development.
\n\u2022\tMultifamily dwellings have already approved in East FH as some sites would be very challenging to put roads and services for single family dwellings (e.g. along 100th Ave). It also may make more sense to put in townhouses closer to the Port Kells industrial area.
\n\u2022\tLarge property 172 to 173 Streets and 103 Ave \u2013 this is a huge parcel and a park could possibly go there??
\n\u2022\tAlong 100th \u2013 offers have been made by Mosaic homes. People are willing to sell. Developer backed out of this as crystal meth house had not been cleaned up. Community Horizons and the Katzie 1st nations have applied to develop this area. City is looking at a more comprehensive plan to blend these developments together.
\n\u2022\tSome parts may not redevelop due to value of the property
\n\u2022\tCommercial development was approved at the townhouse\/condo complex at 176 and Hwy #1 but it probably won\u2019t be constructed until more people move into the townhouses.
\n\u2022\t180A \u2013 there currently is a walkway there, so that area would continue to be zoned for single family dwellings. Pattern already set so City will keep to that.
\n\u2022\tLand use concept \u2013 it is not zoning \u2013 it makes it more likely that development will follow a plan and not build 4 storey housing in East FH. It is unlikely a development of that type would get support of City staff.
\n\u2022\tThere will be no additional high school \u2013 FH Secondary just got expanded. School district can apply to change boundaries so that students might have to go to another secondary school. Bothwell Elementary is under capacity so it could take children from these areas once they are developed.
\n\u2022\t2011 census \u2013 FH had the largest proportion of youth in any census area but doesn\u2019t have that any more. Now Clayton has the largest proportion of youth. FH is cresting and will start to decline. As families \u201cAge in place\u201d, it was stated that FH shouldn\u2019t need additional capacity at the high school.
\n\u2022\tWhere Golden Ears connector joins Golden Ears way, housing density could possibly be higher.
\n\u2022\t164 St\/104 Ave \u2013 this area has smaller lots with big homes. \u2013 13.4 metres wide lots. Developers took down the big trees. Very few homes have the 18 metre frontages that were once the norm. Most people can\u2019t afford this anymore so the houses often have suites in basements.
\n\u2022\t154 St\/104 Ave – One resident wondered why the City did not put in a park at this location. We were told that FH has balanced # parks. Density will increase along 104 Ave with mixed use development (shops on bottom and housing on top). The Pattison development on the north-east corner of 104 Ave\/156 Street will have underground parking under most of the shops. Creek and parts to north will be coming into City ownership.
\n\u2022\tSurrey Bend Park \u2013 this will be a low impact park. Trail development will be minimal as it is in a sensitive ecosystem. Tynehead has lots of areas for Recreation but Surrey Bend will not.
\n\u2022\tGlenwood Park area \u2013 the complaint was that people had more than one suite. It is illegal to have more than one suite so inform bylaws to enforce this. BC building code does not permit 2 suites.
\n\u2022\tFirst open house on the land development is tentatively planned for June 25. It will be advertised in newspapers and if people live very close to the areas being developed, they will get information in the mail. It will be Sept before any proposals are available. At that time, the FHCA will get an email that can be sent out.<\/p>\n
Traffic issues:
\n\u2022\tTransit referendum
\n\u2022\tBenefit \u2013 easier to get around
\n\u2022\tTransit light rail running down 104 Ave. Transit is trying to identify parallel routes to 104 so it won\u2019t limit car traffic on 104. Benefits of light rail \u2013 may not need 2nd car to get around.
\n\u2022\tOptions being explored for light rail include using 105 Ave (currently it is a discontinuous road) \u2013 or widen 100th Ave. 104th Ave is too congested to remove any lanes of traffic from that route.
\n\u2022\tWill post two balanced articles as to yes\/no to vote for transit referendum on our website \u2013 deadline for vote is May 26. Residents south of the Fraser disproportionately benefit from this \u2013 we have to find a way to get out of cars. Get educated and vote.
\n\u2022\tAround Pacific Academy \u2013 currently, a multi-use pathway is being installed. It will be lit for bicycles and pedestrians. A new sewer line is going in at the same time.
\n\u2022\tThe City is also working on Daly Road at the same time.
\n\u2022\tRail whistle cessation \u2013 there was an email sent to councillor Judy Villeneuve \u2013 information was forwarded to engineering dept to set up meeting with railroad. Meeting still hasn\u2019t taken place. FHCA will follow up. Nassar Hozar from our community has a meeting on Friday, May 8th at 11:30 with Amrik Virk, MLA. Objective is to control time and number of whistles from railway yards. The tonnage being transported and number trains keeps increasing.
\n\u2022\t160 Street widening from 96 to 103 Avenues \u2013 construction will be ongoing from now to June 2016.
\n\u2022\tBus stops on 104th Ave between 160 to 168 Streets \u2013 Translink stated no pullouts required. Pedestrian crosswalks – Translink will monitor to see if they are warranted between 160 and 168 streets.
\n\u2022\tIntersection of 104\/164 \u2013 investigated and stats of accidents was low so no action at this intersection.
\n\u2022\tA \u201cNo airbrakes\u201d sign was requested for trucks going north down the hill (176 St\/Hwy 17). There is a similar sign on Hwy 1 heading west before Port Mann bridge. This will now will be reviewed and a sign could be installed
\n\u2022\tCity will be building a roundabout at the intersection of 156 Street and 108 Ave. Heading west along 108 from 156 Street will be a multi-use pathway that will continue along Fraser Heights Greenway (formerly 154 Street) to 110 Ave to be completed by spring 2016.<\/p>\n
Members Concerns\/Announcements:
\n\u2022\tTransMountain pipeline routing \u2013 It is slated to be parallel to Golden Ears connector \u2013 running along Daly road and to 96 Ave. A 10 meter swath will be removed, 5 meters on either side of the pipeline. Right now, this foliage provides noise\/visual mitigation from the trains and SFPR. Transmountain noted that since the pipeline does not make noise, why replace the trees? However, noise levels from the train and road will now be much higher due to the removal of foliage by Transmountain.
\n\u2022\tThis was our last meeting before summer break. The next meeting will be in Sept. \u2013 info will be on the fhca.ca website when known
\n\u2022\tA safety issue was raised \u2013 In the morning, when there is a lot of traffic heading north on 176 (Hwy 17) to turn left (west) at 104 Ave, the turning lane is not long enough to accommodate all those wishing to turn left. A lot of this traffic is going to Pacific Academy. The big concern was that trucks were coming over the peak of the hill at high speeds and with cars stopped in their lane on the downslope (due to the left turn lane being full), the trucks might not realize the cars are stopped until too late and could barrel into them. The left turn lane needs to be extended and the turning light may also have to be increased. Response – TI Corp has cameras in that area and they are supposed to monitor the length the lights are on. Write or send an email to the City to see how this problem can be addressed.
\n\u2022\tGlenwood Park duck pond \u2013 At the entrance to this duck pond, there are mutiple signs in front of the pond so residents can\u2019t see the pond or the rhododendrons that were planted there. The posted signs were for no feeding ducks, no skating, the name of the park, no fishing. The pond is so full of leaves and needs to be cleaned out. Residents were encouraged to write City hall about this.
\n\u2022\tImprovements to 156 Street north of the proposed roundabout at 108 Ave\/156 Street. There has been an ongoing request to fix 156 Street between 108 Ave and 112 Ave. No success yet. The City is waiting for property to be developed along that street and have the developers pay for it.
\n\u2022\tGlenwood Crescent East \u2013 speed bump petition \u2013 Drivers avoid 168\/164 Streets due to speed bumps on those routes. A month ago, a little boy was hit, his leg was broken and he was dragged by the car. Residents of that area want speed mitigation. Traffic can be really bad around school in\/out times. Paul commented \u2013 unless there is a high volume of traffic combined with multiple accidents, there probably won\u2019t be a lot of traffic surveillance done there. It is usually done on major routes. When people complain, RCMP listen and may come take a look. Different traffic calming methods could be used \u2013 such as narrowing the streets with bump outs. Call non-emergency line and ask to speak to traffic services.
\n\u2022\tCanada Post \u2013 hand delivery \u2013 CP moving forward to using Superboxes in areas where there has been hand delivery.
\n\u2022\tFHCA Executive will have one more meeting before summer. Residents in attendance at this meeting were asked if they wanted to become a member or director? Anyone reading the minutes is also welcome to become a member or join the group of directors. We meet 5 times during the year (apart from the 4 Community meetings).<\/p>\n
Next Meeting will be in September 2015 \u2013 date to be announced. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES May 6, 2015 President\u2019s report \u2022 Web site \u2013 www.fhca.ca \u2022 Lindsay Ryerson, president \u2022 FHCA is a volunteer organization \u2013 we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our … Continue reading