The Friends Of The Semiahmoo Heritage Trail

We first learned in early 2003 of the potential destruction of all the trees on the Dawson Development property at 150A Street and 22nd Avenue. In a subsequent meeting with City of Surrey Planning Staff, we learned that, as a consequence of the Dawson Development, the City planned to remove most of the significant trees on the Semiahmoo Heritage Trail as well, for safety reasons. The Friends took the position that automatic removal of most of the major trees from the 66 foot-wide trail was not in the best interests of the community. To that end, the Friends became actively engaged in attempts to reduce the potential damage. As at this writing, we are pleased to advise that we have met with some, but not complete success.

As the developer has a legal right to construct homes within the city's bylaws, the Friends have focused on preserving the entire width of the Trail in its natural state. Over the last six to seven months, we have made presentations to Surrey City Council, the Heritage Commission, and the Environment Committee. In addition, we have met with Parks staff and management and we have had meetings with Mr. Dan Dawson, of Dawson Developments. We have received support from several city councillors and the committees noted above have also supported us with their own recommendations to City Council on how to treat the Developer's permit application.

In late October the Friends received agreement from the developer that his property will include a strip of land on his property next to the trail that will remain in a natural state, with 10 substantial trees to remain on it. This was a major concession by the Developer. In addition, he will undertake to preserve the under story foliage as near to its present natural state as possible. For that reason the Friends withdrew their objections to his development and indicated such to City Council.

Subsequent to that successful meeting with the Developer, the Friends next had a meeting on the Trail with city staff members, the developer and four professional arborists. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the future of all of the significant trees on the city trail property. The results of that meeting, as well as the highlights from three arborists' reports, laid the foundation for a working document known as Corporate Report # L015 of November 3, 2003, prepared by the Parks and Planning Departments.

At a City Council meeting in November, based partly on the Friends' actions, and the recommendations of the Heritage Commission and the Environment Committee, the City Council has accepted the Parks & Planning Department's Corporate Report # L015. With acceptance of the report and approval of the development permit, construction will now proceed, probably in early 2004. In our opinion, the resulting impact on the trail has been minimized and should be acceptable to our supporters. We believe that "The Trail" will retain its present forest-like appearance with ground cover, foliage and 30 to 40 significant trees remaining on and next to the trail, as stated in the Corporate Report.

Regrettably, some large trees will be cut down on the Trail property, but the City, the developer and the Friends all received the advice of 4 separate arborists that some of the large trees must be removed, for the safety of homes in the adjacent developments. When we heard that same message from the arborist who was advising us, (the Friends) we reluctantly accepted that this must happen, much as we hate to see trees removed.

We believe the Friends of the Semiahmoo Heritage Trail have helped cause a recognition by City Council and City Staff that the residents who use the trail care a great deal about it and are fully prepared to take whatever action is necessary to preserve it in its natural state. Also, we appreciate that City Parks staff recognizes that it has a duty to create a post-development result on the trail that matches the description in the Corporate Report. We believe that result will be satisfactory to the neighbourhood residents.

There is more work to be done with regard to monitoring the early stages of the development and we are thinking about how to do that. We fully intend to work with City Staff to ensure the protection of the trail during and after the construction period

Contacts: Jack, 604-535-9448 Elly, 604-542-1229 Alan, 604-531-2073 and Ron, 604-535-0983