Download (Date) Melissa Johnson City of Surrey

(Date)
Melissa Johnson
[email protected]
City of Surrey
Planning and Development Department
13450-104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3T 1V8
cc: Honourable Mayor Hepner & Council; City Manager
Dear Ms. Johnson, Honourable Mayor Hepner and Council,
RE: Concerns with the proposed development at 19438, 19474 and 19356 – 16 Avenue and 1417 – 194
Street, File # 7915-0227-00.
(Introduce yourself, where you live and why you are writing)
The Little Campbell River (LCR) supports significant runs of Pacific Salmon: Coho, Chinook, Chum, Pink
and endangered Steelhead, as well as resident Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout and the endangered Salish
Sucker. Productive spawning and rearing habitat exists mainly adjacent to and downstream of the
proposed development. As one of the most endangered rivers in BC, serious consideration must be
taken while reviewing the potential impact of this development.
I/We are concerned about the impacts of this project and are opposed to it proceeding. My/Our
concerns are as follows:
1. Water quality impacts. Concerned about potential run-off of fine sediments, hydrocarbons and
other contaminants entering the river during wet weather. Current orientation of the property
drains directly into a segment of critical spawning habitat within the LCR. Spawning occurs
during the fall corresponding with heavy rain events – sediments can smother eggs in spawning
beds and damage gills, impeding respiration.
2. Natural groundwater re-charge impacts. This property has been identified as one of the highest
value natural re-charge areas in the South Campbell Heights Special Study Area. Conversion of
well-draining gravel soils to impervious or compact surfaces for truck parking would greatly
impede infiltration of rainwater needed to maintain flows in this groundwater-fed river system.
There are already stretches of river that flow underground during summer months, indicating
existing pressure on groundwater resources in the watershed.
3. Biodiversity value. Approx. 3.6 hectares of the proposed development area has been
designated as a high ecological value Green Infrastructure Network corridor (Corridor 49),
connecting two high ecological value GIN hubs (Hub I and Hub O). This area should be protected
to sustain biodiversity health within the city.
4. Loss of agricultural land. This area has been identified in Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth
Strategy and City of Surrey’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy as Agricultural and Rural, one of
only two management areas within Surrey with this priority designation. Both strategies
emphasize the importance of (a) protecting rural areas from development, (b) supporting
sustainable economies by protecting agricultural land, particularly for food production, and (c)
to protect and enhance natural biodiversity corridors.
5. Traffic risks. Truck traffic has already been increasing due to existing industrial/commercial
operations along 16 Avenue and 192 Street. The additional truck traffic proposed by this
development would create even more pressure to the current high risk scenario. Vehicles
driving along 16 Avenue move at very high speeds and the site lines in the area due to
topography are poor. Most of the proposed lands lay in a valley. Traffic congestion in this area
will likely cause undue risk of collision.
6. Poor land use in a vital transition zone between Campbell Heights Commercial Area and the
Rural Agricultural Northern Area of Hazelmere Campbell Valley.
7. Presently Immediate neighbour land use is completely incompatible with the scale and kind of
this type of industrial use. These include three residential care facilities, A Rocha , an
Environmental Conservation non-profit charity serving the greater community including children
and populations on the economic margins, significant Surrey Heritage assets, large rural estates
with families and working farms.
We commend the City of Surrey’s initiatives to improve environmental sustainability through your
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Riparian Protection Bylaw development and Sustainability Charter
updates. We commend the present LAP process for the area and expect that no land use decisions be
considered in isolation, particularly when projects such as the Industrial Truck Complex will certainly set
the tone for all adjoining lands. It will be a game changer for the whole area. Please consider these
concerns as you continue to be a city that shows leadership through innovative and sustainable
development.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
(name)