The City of Burnaby is looking for public input on a pathway proposed for two city properties at 5608 Halley Ave. and 5587 Chaffey Ave. in Metrotown.
In 2008, the city was considering putting in a roadway extension for Sardis Street at the site but that plan was not popular with area residents.
"It was decided by council at that time that a street would no longer be considered," Coun. Colleen Jordan, chair of the city's community development committee, said at Monday night's council meeting.
The city has come up with a design for a public pathway, instead, she added.
"This is part of what we promised the community during the redevelopment of the Chaffey property," she said.
The city is proposing that the two properties be subdivided to create a right-of-way measuring 5.25 metres at the west end at Halley Avenue, and 4 metres at the east end at Chaffey Avenue, according to a report from Burnaby's director of planning and building, Lou Pelletier.
"The size and configuration of the trail right-of-way is sufficient for pedestrians
and cyclists, while maintaining the existing two-family development potential of the city lots," the report stated.
Crossing needs in the area are subject to further review, the report added.
A 1.5-metre visually permeable cedar fence would be built on the north side of the path, according to the report, and the Burnaby RCMP has recommended trees not be planted alongside the pathway to prevent crime in the area.
The road extension was part of a development proposal for three three-story townhouses on Chaffey Avenue, put forward by Boffo Land Corp. during the summer of 2008.
More than 150 residents spoke to the issue at a public hearing, saying a road extension would increase speeding and traffic rat-runners in the area.
Despite other concerns about the size of the 26-unit development, the project was approved in December 2008.
The pathway proposal is slated to go to a public open house early in 2013, though a date has not yet been set.
