Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements Council Presentation - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Gibsons Foreshore & Seawalk Improvements

Council Presentation – Charrette Results

Town of Gibsons | November 15, 2016

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Agenda

• 1. Study Area & Design

Constraints

• 2. Questionnaire Results
• 3. Charrette Results
• 4. Next Steps

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Study Area

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Design Constraints – Land Tenure/Use

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Study Area

“generally refers to the area between the natural boundary

• f the ocean and the lowest tides”

Foreshore

Access Slope Sewer

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Design Constraints/Challenges

• Sanitary sewer alignment is fixed in access road; may require

replacement

• Land Area/width is very limited from properties to ocean—very

tight lateral space and this limits available options

• Riprap (angular rock) protecting sewer/seawalk is in poor

condition, not aesthetically appealing and needs rebuilding

• Beach slope and size of material (i.e. sand, gravel, cobble,

angular rock) are critical design constraints

• Climate change risks (e.g. sea level rise and possible storm-

surge increase

• Protecting Eelgrass is important and is expanding toward the

nearshore area – considered critical habitat

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Questionnaire Results

• Public invited to describe their use and priorities for foreshore

area through a survey distributed in print/online

• Received 47 responses between Jun 16 – Jul 29

Most frequent uses of foreshore

include:

• Recreational /

dog walking

• bench sitting
• swimming at

Armours Beach

Development Opportunities:

• Keep foreshore natural with low density development
• Some want small-scale businesses/restaurants along

foreshore

• Some want seawalk paved, others prefer gravel

Development Challenges:

• Concerns about eelgrass protection
• Sea level rise & flood/erosion from high tides
• Limited stroller and wheelchair accessibility

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Charrette Objectives & Agenda

• Review public input received
• Share info on constraints & opportunities
• Work creatively to explore all possible solutions
• After discussion, integrate the best ideas into design

concepts Objectives

Morning Session – Designers and Charrette Participants

(Brainstorm design ideas to accommodate uses and constraints)

Afternoon Session – Designers (optional for charrette participants)

(Produce a design concept for the Foreshore reflecting Morning Session discussion)

Evening Session – Public Open House

(Small Group Discussion; Presented Results from earlier sessions)

Agenda – Three Sessions

Shoreline dikes over 200 years?

Sea Level Rise (SLR)

• Global SLR – gradual increase to high tide
• 0.5m by 2050, 1.0m by 2100, continues
• Natural boundary moves up/inland
• Buildings move up at point of reconstruction/ end of

building life – maintain property values

• Long Term Ideal (2050, 2100 or 2200?)
• Short Term Phased Improvements
• Now
• 2030
• 2050

Adapting to the Future

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BC SLR Guidelines

Future Character?

Storms and Sea Level Rise

Flood Level Existing 200 year SLR 2100 High Tide &Storm Surge 2.74 3.74 Wave Effects 1.14 1.14 Freeboard 0.6 0.6 FCL 4.5 5.5 Average Low tide HHWLT 2.1 m

• 1.8 m

High tide

Future Character?

More natural tree/shrub backshore or More gentle built shoreline?

Future Character?

Future Characte?

Design Criteria/features

Questions we pondered?

 What design life? 25, 50, 100 years?  What flood level do we chose?  What elevation for walkway/service road?  Habitat benches and natural features?  Access points? Walkway width? Service road width?  How do we adapt to today but plan for future when some buildings are too low now?  What about filling on private land?

Design Criteria

• Eco Asset
• Habitat protection
• Riparian

enhancement

• Aesthetics and

Recreation

• Stability
• Constructability
• Cost

3.5 m trail crest intermediate elevation? (2.8 m existing) 4.5 m wide travel lane including 1 m green space Habitat benches in key areas Viewing points

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Design Charrette Outcomes

Outcomes from Morning/Afternoon Sessions

Enhance Beach Area Upgrade and Enhance Slope Public Area

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Typical Concept – Short Term

Raise walkway Upgrade riprap

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Typical Concept – Long Term

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Armours Beach Concept – Short Term

Sand Fill Raise walk

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Armours Beach Concept – Long Term

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Highlights from Morning/Afternoon Sessions

• Enhance foreshore “Green Shores” where

possible

• Protect Eelgrass area & spawn areas
• Increase natural vegetation between walkway &

water; soften shoreline (where possible)

• Improve Armours Beach Area (more sand,

swimming and amenities) but concern about Eelgrass

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Highlights from Morning/Afternoon Sessions

• Provide a better visitor experience (parking, trails,

wayfinding, flow, public art)

• Improve public access from Grandma’s Pub end
• Increased access for mobility challenges

(Funicular rail?)

• Provide recreation around docks for a range of

ages

• Improve educational opportunities
• Connect history and “The Beachcomers” angle for

tourism

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Design Charrette Outcomes

Implication for Concept Design: Three Focus Areas

• 1. Armours Beach:
• Top priority area identified by community for beach access and

recreation

• Preference for sandy beach for improved swim experience
• 2. Centre Seawalk Area:
• Modify slope to be greener and decrease slope where possible
• Provide intermittent access points from walkway down to beach
• Provide seating/rest spots at regular intervals adjacent to

walkway

• 3. South Seawalk & Wharf:
• Improve connection from Wharf to Seawalk with wider public art

area and wayfinding signage etc.

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Design Charrette Outcomes

Enhance Beach Area Upgrade and Enhance Slope Public Area

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Design Challenges to Overcome

Environment vs Public Safety vs Property Rights

1. What elevation should we rebuild at the walkway to allow for future protection, while enhancing the eco asset but consider property owners and access? 2. What year should the design horizon be? Should the flood risk vs future land use be identified and steps be taken for a change in land use in the future, i.e. convert private land into park/recreation amenity? 3. How should work be phased since capital cost may be a challenge?

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Next Steps

October

Charrette

November

Refine & Cost Final Concept

December

Prepare Report