Editor:
Like many others, I left the Nov. 21 community consultation on the future of the Banff Avenue pedestrian zone feeling disappointed and frustrated.
The expectation was for an open community discussion on a variety of options, but instead, we were presented with a binary option of ped zone No. 1 or ped zone No. 2. Why do we have so-called community consultation after a project is essentially decided? It's demeaning to those who have attended with different meeting expectations, alternate views or are undecided.
While there are unquestionable pros and cons to having a pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue, the reality is a potential pedestrian zone impacts residents unequally, depending on where one lives and the impact of the displaced traffic.
Where are the traffic flow projections and models with a pedestrian zone vs. no pedestrian zone, both present and in the future? How does a pedestrian zone integrate with Canada Place and the 200 block redevelopment? Or with a future transportation hub? What are the potential traffic mitigation possibilities for those residential areas impacted by a potential pedestrian zone?
Ultimately, beyond the pretty pictures of a Banff Avenue pedestrian zone, one is left with the uneasy feeling of a lack of basic planning homework to support any informed decision, pro or con.
Reg Bunyan,
Banff
