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Directors urge MOTI to nix Largo connection

Concerns about safety were once again raised by Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize in the run-up to a decision to send the provincial transportation ministry recommendations on a proposed subdivision that could see Largo Road connected to Highway 10
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Concerns about safety were once again raised by Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize in the run-up to a decision to send the provincial transportation ministry recommendations on a proposed subdivision that could see Largo Road connected to Highway 101.

“If Largo is made a through road, it would be the fastest connection between the Heart of the Creek and Highway 101,” Tize said at a March 14 planning meeting. “MOTI believes that … keeping the entrance and exit unassuming and by keeping the road narrow and unattractive will deter people from using this shortcut.” He said cars turning at the intersection will still be at risk, and that the shortcut will remain tempting.

Last time the recommendation had come before the board for endorsement, Tize requested that the board back the residents’ opposition to the through road but that they hold off on making the decision until all Largo Road residents were made aware of the implications of a cul-de-sac option, which could see some residents lose walkways, parking stalls, gardens and other items constructed on the MOTI right-of-way.

At the March 14 meeting, directors were presented with a series of recommendations for endorsement, including one that would convey to MOTI concerns about the through road raised by the Roberts Creek Advisory Planning Commission, Roberts Creek Official Community Plan Committee and nearby residents, and requests to limit access or manage safety, traffic and noise impacts of through access.

Tize asked that the section be reworded based on the wishes of the residents. He said local residents oppose giving MOTI the option of traffic calming measures, and would rather see a barrier such as bollards installed just above the intersection of the planned cul-de-sac.

“The current recommendations leave an opening for a through road to be constructed,” said Tize, who then passed along wording suggested by residents as an alternative recommendation: “that SCRD strongly urges MOTI to consider road design strategies to limit through access on Largo Road to emergency vehicles only by installing a removable barrier on the middle section of Largo Road as well as no through road signage at the intersection of Largo Road and Lower Road and Largo Road and Highway 101.”

Chair Lori Pratt said that making Largo Road look “unpalatable to go down” wouldn’t stop people and supported the wording.

Tize also made a “small wording change” to the recommendations to convey that residents aren’t concerned about the construction of the through road but about the through road itself.

Porter Road subdivision

At the same planning meeting, directors also voted in favour of giving first reading to OCP and zoning amendments that would allow for the creation of a subdivision with 12 one-hectare lots, and the donation of a 26-hectare remainder parcel to the SCRD as an in-kind community amenity contribution.

The subdivision would be located north of Highway 101 along Porter Road east of Sullivan Road in Roberts Creek. During deliberations, Tize raised concerns about adding “unprecedented” density above the highway, and the “reliance on an automobile to get anywhere and then also fire protection and fire safety in an area where there is no ready supply of water.” He also questioned whether density should be allowed above the highway when a regional growth strategy is not in place.

A public information meeting will be held to discuss the proposal, and it will be referred to various stakeholders for comment, including the Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire Department.