Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements Open House (5:00-7:00 pm) Town of Gibsons October 6, 2016 Town of Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements 1
Session 3: Open House (Charrette Participants, Designers, Public) Charrette Overview: 1.0 Morning Session = Charrette Participants & Designers 2.0 Afternoon Session = Designers (Optional for Charrette Participants) 3.0 Evening Session = Open House (Charrette Participants, Designers, and Interested Public)
3.0 Evening Agenda Open House 5:00 pm Doors Open to View Display (Informal Discussion) 5:30 pm Presentation Clarified Objectives, Design Results (Options & Implementation Phasing) 6:15 pm Small Group Discussion of Results Focused on Questions in a Response Form 6:30 pm Small Group Reporting Consensus Points and Remaining Issues 7:00 pm Wrap-up & Next Steps
Charrette Objectives Review public input received Share info on constraints & opportunities Work creatively to explore all possible solutions After discussion, integrate the best ideas into two design concepts.
Study Area 5 From Gibsons Wharf to Armours Beach June 16, 2016
Study Area 6 Foreshore generally refers to the area between the natural boundary of the ocean and the lowest tides Access Sewer Slope June 16, 2016
Historical Uses 7 Lower Gibsons with Tanker at Wharf (visible: Ballentine Block, Methodist church, Hill's Marine Shop, Marina House & other buildings along waterfront to Armours Beach, c1950) Wharf at Gibsons Landing (visible: large crowd waiting for the ferry with some waterfront buildings, c1952) Waterfront and Shoreline Buildings (visible: immediately East of the Wharf looking towards Armours Beach and Soames Hill, c1950) Photos (#2211, 423, 541) Courtesy of the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives June 16, 2016
Foreshore Today 8 Ecosystem Services for a Range of Uses Part of the marine ecosystem (fish and eelgrass) Infrastructure servicing corridor (sanitary sewer) Public recreation trail (oceanfront walkway) June 16, 2016
Regulatory Constraints 9 Coastal Shore Jurisdiction in BC June 16, 2016
GreenShores Approach for Coastal Development A tool for developing the shore while protecting natural shorelines and habitats Guiding principles: o o o o Preserving the integrity or connectivity of shoreline processes Maintaining or enhancing habitat diversity and function Minimizing or reducing pollutants to the environment Reducing cumulative impacts to the shoreline environment Town of Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements 10
Shore zones support important biological functions Sandlance, food for salmon, spawn on beaches R. Hocken R. Hocken Feeding and resting habitat for migratory birds Town of Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements 11
Design Constraints 12 Sanitary Sewer Fixed alignment of sanitary sewer in access road May require eventual replacement or relocating Access (Maintenance and Seawalk) Very limited room between properties and shore Riprap protecting the walkway and sewer pipe below is largely intact but needs upgrade for access Small section in front of Cole s Marina to be upgraded Armours Beach Lock-block retaining wall to be reviewed with consideration for GreenShores approach Beach area access to be integrated to new foreshore approach June 16, 2016
GreenShores Approach for Coastal Development A tool for developing the shore while protecting natural shorelines and habitats Guiding principles: o o o o Preserving the integrity or connectivity of shoreline processes Maintaining or enhancing habitat diversity and function Minimizing or reducing pollutants to the environment Reducing cumulative impacts to the shoreline environment Town of Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements 13
Future Character? Future Character? More natural tree/shrub backshore or More gentle built shoreline?
Design Charrette Outcomes Enhance foreshore Green Shores where possible Protect Eelgrass area Natural vegetation between walkway and water Improve Armours Beach Area (more sand,swimming and amenities) Provide a better visitor experience (parking, trails, flow, public art) Improve access from Grandma s Pub end Increased access for mobility challenges (Funicular rail?) Improve educational opportunities Connect history and beachcomer angle
Design Criteria Questions we pondered? What design life? 25, 50, 100 years? What flood level do we chose? What elevation for walkway/service road? Habitat benches and natural features? Future Characte? Access points? Walkway width? Service road width? How do we adapt to today but plan for future where building are too low now? What about filling on private land? 3.5m trail crest intermediate elevation? 4.5 m wide travel lane including 1 m green space Habitat benches in key areas Viewing points Define Criteria Eco Asset Habitat protection Riparian enhancement Aesthetics and Recreation Stability Constructability Cost
Concept Designs Future Characte?
Small Group Discussion Self-select small groups of ~8 people Look for a group where you will hear new ideas and influence people new to you!
Discussion Guide Values to Consider for Evaluating the Concepts Safety of trail use Accessibility (walking, jogging, cycling, inline skates, disabled?) Maximum views of the waterfront Minimum environmental impact (restoration?) ~15 mins discussion in small groups, then reporting back to large group on: Consensus Points Remaining Issues
Reporting Back (from small groups) Consensus Points? Remaining Issues?
Next Steps Technical review of concepts High-level cost estimating Informal discussion with approval agencies Evaluation / combination of leading ideas into preferred Design Concept Compilation into Draft Recommendations Public Review Refinement and Recommendations to Council
Thank you!