Grandview-Woodland Area Council
A non-partisan, non-profit group representing the Grandview Woodland community
As of today, roads in the section of Grandview bounded by Clark Drive, Grandview Highway, Commercial Drive, and First Avenue have a new speed limit of just 30 km/h, down from the city default on local streets of 50 km/h. This is a trial for what many hope will become a more widespread change in traffic habits in Vancouver.
Read more about it on the City of Vancouver’s press release:
https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/city-pilots-first-30km-h-slow-zone-on-local-streets-in-grandview-woodland.aspx
The Strathcona Residents Association is organizing an event on Monday, September 30th from 7:30am to 8:30am at Prior Street and Hawks. The City of Vancouver will be considering a staff report that is not supporting the recommendation by the Community Panel; rather, staff are recommending that an underpass be constructed under the railway tracks at Glen and Prior Street. This staff report will be considered on October 1st; further details can be found on the City’s Council meeting agenda page:
https://council.vancouver.ca/20191001/regu20191001ag.htm
Hello Grandview Woodland Resident(s)
Grandview Woodland Area Council (GWAC) understands residents’ concerns about increasing traffic volumes in neighbourhoods across Grandview Woodland. To help you deal with cut-through traffic and unsafe neighbourhood streets, we have compiled a resource sheet to provide information about what you can do to calm residential streets, to take them back for people and pets, not cars.
The first thing you need to do is figure out what traffic-calming is. You will find the resources from Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) very helpful as you begin to set up your traffic-calming group:
http://best.bc.ca/
http://best.bc.ca/reclaim-your-street/
You can get more information from the at http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/driving-and-traffic.aspx, and for specific help or to report your traffic concerns to the City’s representative on the Grandview Woodland Traffic & Parking Advisory Committee, Cara Fisher, at www.cara.fisher@vancouver.ca
Another valuable resource is The Grandview Woodland Neighbourhood Transportation and Parking Committee, in particular the Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG), on which a GWAC Board member sits. The City of Vancouver contact person is Cara Fisher on 604-326-4830 or cara.fisher@vancouver.ca
Below is the committee’s most recent report site:
http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/grandview-woodland-neighbourhood-transportation-and-parking.pdf
It is advisable to check with the City about the traffic-calming process and available traffic-calming measures, for both have under gone changes over the past few years.
If you were unable to attend our last meeting on June 1st, we would welcome your input via email to info@gwac.ca
These proposals come from a committee of GWAC. We need to know from you what meets the community’s needs and what needs adjustment.
1] Removal of Peak Hour Parking Restrictions from Commercial Drive, between First Avenue and Venables Street
Understanding that both the Grandview Woodland Area Council and the Commercial Drive Business Society have passed motions requesting that the City of Vancouver remove peak hour parking restrictions from Commercial Drive, between First Avenue and Venables Street, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests a plan from the City for implementing the change, as soon as possible.
2] Addressing Residual Weaknesses in the Traffic Diversion Strategy Implemented in the Area Bounded by First Avenue, Hastings Street, Nanaimo Street and Clark Drive
It has been noted that substantial peak hour traffic is using Parker Street and Venables Street as an eastbound route between Commercial Drive and Nanaimo Street. This is a residual weakness in the traffic diversion strategy implemented in that area. The Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City provide a plan for addressing the issue.
3] Cycling Safety Improvements to Commercial Drive
The Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City provide a plan for applying cycling sharrows to Commercial Drive between 14th Avenue and Adanac Street. The Grandview Woodland Area Council also requests that the City provide a plan for the implementation of a separated cycling lane between 14th Avenue and Graveley Street with connection to Salsbury Avenue as a marked cycling route to Adanac Street, including a marked and controlled crossing at Venables Street.
4] Traffic Calming for Victoria Drive
The Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City provide a plan for traffic calming for Victoria Drive in keeping with its status as a neighbourhood collector and including marking Victoria Drive as a cycling route between 14th Avenue and Adanac Street.
5] Pedestrian Improvements for Commercial Drive
Recognizing that the majority of trips along Commercial Drive are undertaken on foot and in the interest of the safety of those pedestrians, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City paint crosswalks at all crossings between 12th Avenue and Hastings Street. The Grandview Woodland Area Council also requests that the City study the feasibility of implementing a scramble crossing at Commercial Drive and First Avenue.
6] Addressing Transit Deficiencies for Commercial Drive
Recognizing that bunching of two and often three 20 Victoria buses is still a consistent problem causing unreliable service delivery on Commercial Drive, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City press Translink for a comprehensive solution to the bus spacing problem, articulated as a written plan.
7] Cycling Improvements to Hastings Street and Powell Street
Recognizing the need for improved cycling infrastructure on both Hastings Street and Powell Street, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City provide details of plans for improvement to cycling infrastructure along both streets.
8] Putting In Place Actionable Elements of the Prior-Venables Greenway Project
With the knowledge that the Prior-Venables Greenway Project has received formal recognition on numerous occasions by senior municipal officials, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City provide a plan for the implementation of actionable elements of the Project, with details regarding the redevelopment and calming of the route following removal of the Georgia Viaduct.
9] Restoration of Off Peak Parking on First Avenue
Recognizing that First Avenue is very unwelcoming to pedestrians, the Grandview Woodland Area Council requests that the City restore off peak parking to the street.”
Grandview-Woodland Area Council 