City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

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COURTENAY TODAY

Much of Courtenay’s development patterns are ‘car centric’, built with the assumption that most people will have access to a private vehicle. The street network consists of major corridors providing connections through the City and region, as well as residential streets supporting access to neighbourhoods. The network is defined by the two bridge crossings at 5th Street and 17th Street, both of which are key sources of congestion and delay. Many neighbourhood streets are wide, with discontinuous streets and cul-de-sacs. Many of the most major corridors – Ryan Road, Cliffe Avenue, Highway 19a – are under the Ministry of Transportation & Transit’s (MOTT) jurisdiction who play an important role both locally and connecting Courtenay to neighbouring communities. Not surprisingly, the majority of residents rely on their car, with nearly 85% of all commuter trips being made by private

vehicle and fewer than 15% by sustainable modes (walking, cycling, and public transit). And while electric vehicles have increased in popularity in recent years, transportation continues to account for a significant portion of Courtenay’s emissions. Despite recent provincial, regional and City investments in walking, cycling, and transit, these options often feel like an afterthought for residents who have convenient access to a car: • The sidewalk network has several gaps and the lack of safe crossings on some major roads can be challenging and inconvenient for pedestrians. • The cycling network has significant gaps in connectivity and poses safety concerns for cyclists in many locations. • The land use, population size and growth realities of a small urban community within a rural regional district pose challenges to transit viability.

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan