In 2001, residents of the 6200 block of Crown Street petitioned to have their badly deteriorated street reconstructed and the chronic run off problems addressed. The residents expected a standard curb and gutter treatment to replace the existing soft shoulder conditions. However, the Official Community Plan for the area aimed to maintain a rural aesthetic and disallowed such treatment. The City responded by suggesting a new and innovative design modelled after a design in Seattle called SEA Street (Street Edge Alternatives), which used vegetated swales and retention ponds to facilitate storm runoff. The Crown Street design aimed to address historic drainage issues, water quality in the nearby salmon streams, pedestrian safety, parking, and of course the deteriorated road surface. This project was nominated for the 2004 TAC Environmental Achievement Award. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211426.
Abstract