Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report

Transcription

1 Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report South Shore Corridor Project 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Overview Port Metro Vancouver s South Shore Trade Area is of critical importance to Canadian trade. One of several import/export gateways in the lower Fraser Valley, the area geographically covers port activities along the south shore of Burrard Inlet from Vancouver to Port Moody. It is a major employment generator for the Metro Vancouver region, supporting the marine, rail and trucking industries and various export- based industries, including agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing. With growing competition from other North American west coast ports and increasing demand from exporters, importers and shipping lines for more reliable, efficient and low cost service, improvements in the South Shore Trade Area are needed to maintain port competitiveness and sustain Canada s growth and prosperity. To this end, Port Metro Vancouver is leading the implementation of a number of projects within the trade area that are designed to improve the efficiency and reliability of the movement of cargo and people. One of the projects proposed for the south shore is the South Shore Corridor Project, which is designed to reduce road/rail conflicts, facilitate long term improvements to rail capacity, and improve transportation access and reliability for businesses operating within the port. The project is bounded by Heatley Avenue and McGill Street. It is one of two high priority projects identified by the South Shore Trade Area partners, including Port Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, Transport Canada, and Canada s two primary rail companies. 1.2 Stakeholder and Community Engagement Program The development of the South Shore Corridor Project includes community and stakeholder engagement with local area residents and businesses, to confirm project objectives and planning information, identify stakeholder interests, and obtain feedback to assist in potential refinements of project design. Between March 2011 and October 2011, Port Metro Vancouver and the project team met with south shore port tenants, adjacent property owners and other interested parties representing hundreds of businesses, employees and residents that are directly affected by port activities. The outcome of this phase of work will be a conceptual design for the proposed project. Broader community engagement will take place based on the proposed conceptual design in late Fall The following document provides a summary of stakeholder engagement activities undertaken to date, stakeholder input and next steps in the development of the South Shore Corridor Project. 2.0 STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 2.1 Approach and Methodology Between March 2011 and October 2011, members of the South Shore Corridor Project Team met with port tenants and operators, and community and business associations who represent the interests of communities adjacent to the project area. Page 1 of 5

2 Several organizations were invited to participate in stakeholder engagement activities, including: Aragon Development (regarding the Avant Residential Development) ARC Building Management Burrardview Community Association Cannery Row Residential Strata East Vancouver Port Lands Liaison Group (EVPL) Grandview- Woodland Area Council Hastings North Business Improvement Association MLA Shane Simpson Port tenants operating in the South Shore Corridor Project area Strathcona Business Improvement Association. More than 40 meetings were held with representatives from community and business stakeholder associations as outlined in the tables below. A number of follow up meetings have also been planned. Project team members from Port Metro Vancouver were in attendance at each meeting and provided a brief presentation on the project, including design and timeline, followed by general questions and answers. A key theme summary of comments from these meetings is included in section 2.2. Port Tenant s Alliance Grain Terminal (AGT) September 13, 2011 Columbia Containers May 18, 2011 October 18, 2011 CN Rail October 5, 2011 CP Rail May 9, 2011 June 9, 2011 September 14, 2011 DP World March 18, 2011 September 29, 2011 November 4, 2011 GCT (formerly TSI Vanterm) March 29, 2011 May 31, 2011 September 19, 2011 November 21, 2011 Lafarge March 29, 2011 August 15, 2011 September 22, 2011 October 5, 2011 Lantic Sugar Marco Marine Containers March 30, 2011 September 26, 2011 SMIT Marine May 11, 2011 Southern Railway (SRY) September 26, 2011 Versacold August 16, 2011 Viterra March 16, 2011 April 6, 2011 October 3, 2011 West Coast Reduction March 30, 2011 November 2011 FINAL Page 2 of 5

3 Community and Business Association s Cannery Row Strata June 22, 2011 East Vancouver Port Lands (EVPL) Group April 19, 2011 (including representation from the June 16, 2011 Burrardview Community Association) September 20, 2011 Grandview- Woodland Area Council September 9, 2011 Scheduled for November 7, 2011 Hastings North Business Improvement October 4, 2011 Association Follow- up scheduled for Nov 2011 Strathcona Business Improvement September 20, 2011 Association Other City of Vancouver May 30, 2011 June 8, 2011 September 12, 2011 MLA Shane Simpson* May 20, 2011 * MP Libby Davies and MLA Jenny Kwan were unable to participate due to other commitments. Port Metro Vancouver will schedule meetings with both at their earliest convenience. 2.2 Key Theme Summary of Input The following section provides a summary of key themes emerging from meetings. Port Tenants and Operators Project Support The majority of port tenants and operators indicated general support for the improvements planned as part of the South Shore Corridor Project, several noting that current congestion challenges and capacity constraints are negatively affecting their ability to operate and conduct business. Project Design Discussions focused on the project design, opportunities and challenges with respect to individual terminals, particularly with regard to access/egress to terminal facilities and operations over the longer term. Construction Staging/Timing Importance of ensuring ongoing access throughout construction, including appropriate location of lay down areas to minimize impacts on truck staging within the south shore. Traffic Management Participants noted the importance of considering traffic management within the port and along parallel city routes that provide access to the port, employee parking, and a desire to avoid construction during peak times to minimize traffic congestion. Safety General support for proposed safety improvements, including addressing road/rail conflicts such as crossings, sight lines and advance warning systems. Community Associations November 2011 FINAL Page 3 of 5

4 Noise General concern with noise from existing port and rail operations and concerns that although the Project is designed to help address some current noise challenges, the increased activity that it will facilitate could result in increased noise over the long term. Existing Port- Related Traffic Participants noted concern regarding container truck traffic including safety, noise and congestion on community streets. Traffic Management Participants noted the importance of considering traffic management during construction, particularly with respect to potential increases in traffic on community streets and on parallel routes. Some respondents noted the importance of communicating early and often. Air Quality Participants noted general concern regarding air quality from port terminals and rail activity. Lighting Participants noted general concerns with some lighting currently in place at terminals adjacent to residential buildings. Project Design and Aesthetics Some participants expressed concerns that the elevated structure would affect views in the area; others noted the importance of maintaining commitments within the East Vancouver Port Lands Area Plan, which calls for development of a landscaping plan for the south shore area. Community Consultation Participants provided feedback regarding how best to engage with the community. Business Improvement Associations: Project Support Participants noted general support for the improvements planned as part of the South Shore Corridor Project, particularly with respect to the improved potential for economic development. Participants also noted support for the improvements that would address community noise and air quality concerns. Traffic Management Participants noted the importance of considering traffic management and construction staging on parallel routes during potential closures throughout construction. Existing Port- Related Traffic Participants provided general comments regarding container truck traffic on city streets, including inquiries about the 90- Day Truck Traffic Pilot Program. Community Consultation Participants provided feedback regarding how best to engage with their respective organizations and the broader community. s with Government/Elected Officials As part of the stakeholder engagement program, municipal government representatives and elected officials were invited to attend a project information meeting with Port representatives. Invitations were sent to the following: City of Vancouver MP Libby Davies MLA Shane Simpson MLA Jenny Kwan s were held with the City of Vancouver and MLA Shane Simpson. City of Vancouver Discussions with City of Vancouver representatives focused on design elements associated with the Victoria Street Pedestrian Overpass. City representatives also provided feedback regarding the community engagement program. MLA Shane Simpson Discussions included the importance of communicating early and often with the community and adhering to the East Vancouver Port Lands Area Plan. The importance of November 2011 FINAL Page 4 of 5

5 coordination between the City of Vancouver and Port Metro Vancouver was also noted, given the proximity of industrial and residential development in this area. 2.3 Next Steps Port Metro Vancouver is currently considering initial input from port tenants, and community and business stakeholders together with technical and financial inputs to develop a refined conceptual design for the South Shore Corridor Project. Broader community engagement is planned for late Fall 2011 to share refined project designs with the community and obtain input on key aspects of the project. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to sharing information with the community as planning for the South Shore Corridor Project advances. Everyone is invited to sign up to receive project e- updates, by ing a request to public_affairs@portmetrovancouver.com. November 2011 FINAL Page 5 of 5