City of Courtenay Annual Report 2022

Age-friendly Grant for Accessibility Audit Grant funding awarded in 2022 supports accessibility audits on key public open spaces and multi-modal transportation networks within Courtenay’s new growth centres. The areas targeted for assessment are where future development is expected, and capital infrastructure investment by the City will be focused in accordance with policies contained within the new Official Community Plan (OCP). Ensuring these areas are liveable, accessible, with access to amenities is a direction of the OCP. As Courtenay’s population is expected to rapidly increase in the 75-years and-older age category, accessibility will be an important infrastructure improvement wherever deficiencies exist. Also, accessibility improvements generally have a ‘universal’ appeal and accommodate the needs of all users, not just those with accessibility barriers. To perform the accessibility audits, City staff are collaborating with the Comox Valley Community Health Network which also has funding to conduct accessibility audits around the valley. This will allow for project efficiencies and will provide consistent methodology and communications to the public. Look for ways to get involved in evaluating accessibility in Courtenay – and beyond – in 2023! City of Courtenay funding is provided by the Age-friendly Communities program, administered by BC Healthy Communities. Extended Evening School Zone Hours The City of Courtenay extended the evening hours for reduced 30 km/hour speeds in school zones to 8 p.m. on school days. The change, developed with the support of School District No. 71, came into effect starting with the 2022/2023 school year. School zones are designed to provide a safer environment for children using school facilities. The extension of school zone hours in Courtenay benefits children and youth attending after-hours activities at schools, such as playgrounds, sports, events, and organized community groups. Previously, school zone hours were in effect from 8.a.m. to 5 p.m. The Motor Vehicle Act gives municipalities the flexibility to extend school zone hours beyond the default hours on school days. In addition, the City installed “End School Zone” signs to mark the end of all Courtenay school zones. Funding for these new signs was provided by ICBC through their Road

Pilot Project Reducing Road Speeds in Crown Isle The City of Courtenay launched a pilot project in a Crown Isle neighbourhood in April 2022 to reduce the posted vehicle speed limit in the area from Courtenay’s default speed of 50 km/hour to 40 km/hour, improving comfort for those traveling on foot, by bike, or with mobility aids. The study area includes the Crown Isle neighbourhood south of Ryan Road and east of Lerwick Road. New signage alerted commuters in the area to the reduced speed.

Map of Reduced Road Speeds

City of Courtenay | 2022 Annual Report

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