Mountain View group wants city to go country (Vancouver Courier)

The group sees its proposal as an extension of the city's award-winning country-lane program. In 2003, the city built three environmentally sustainable lanes as examples for future consideration. The basic design for a country lane features two driving strips down the centre of the lane-to carry the vehicle weight-surrounded by grass.

The lanes are designed to improve natural infiltration, which reduces the amount of surface water entering the storm/sewer system. They also slow traffic and improve the look of residential lanes and alleys. But the program was put on hiatus after 2003 because of the prohibitive cost. A country lane costs $240 per square foot, compared to $60 a square foot for a lane with a paved centre strip. Residents are also responsible for 50 per cent of the $100,000 price tag.

Klassen said Mountain View was lucky to have been chosen for one of the original three lanes, built on the south side of the 700-block of East 27th Avenue. The others are located east of Arbutus at Fifth Avenue next to City Farmer, and the south lane of Yale Street from Slocan to Kaslo.

"The original purpose was to stop our storm sewers from being over burdened," said Klassen. "But now it's taken on a life of its own. People are meeting in it, and gardening and picnicking in it. They're spending part of their lives in it."

Klassen said the sense of community created by the lane inspired the group to come with ideas to see others like it recreated across the city. And while he admits the cost is high, Klassen believes the social and environmental benefits are worth the cost. He'd like the city to take a second look at the project and explore different options, including contracting out the work.

Jonathan Helmus, with the city's street design department, has been working on the country lane project. He said contracting out is not as simple as it sounds.

"It could be possible," said Helmus. "If the company skimps on the quality of the grids [used in construction]. That would probably make them cheaper."

Helmus agreed the cost to residents is the biggest obstacle faced by country lane projects.

"Even if we can get the cost down they'll still vote for the cheapest option," he said.

NPA Coun. Peter Ladner said the lanes aren't financially feasible.

"No other neighbourhood has agreed to pay for them," he said.

Ladner adds while he's heard how important the Mountain View lane has become to the community, the city is not prepared to take on more of the financial burden.

"Maybe this is something the park board would want to take on, along with the residents, with funds from their capital plan," said Ladner. "Their bonus would be new parks, pretty cheap. Though I don't know if anyone has assessed this as a park. I've heard some anecdotal stories about a few picnics, but I don't know if that makes it a park."

- By Sandra Thomas - Vancouver Courier staff writer

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