Word that a developer is eyeing a prime piece of South Surrey real estate has Rosemary Heights residents concerned about the safety of children walking in the neighbourhood, and the potential impact of new development on area elementary schools that are already overflowing.
Longtime resident Kieran Hardiman said the likely increase to the area’s density from any development on the 3690 152 St. property in question also “erodes the whole principle” of the Rosemary Heights Central Neighbourhood Concept Plan that he and his wife “played a major part” in many years ago.
“The NCP didn’t anticipate this kind of stuff,” Hardiman said, describing development as “out of control.”
Hardiman contacted Peace Arch News last week, after hearing that the former site of the Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre – owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver and located on the bluff above the Nicomekl River – sold about two months ago.
However, Archdiocese communications director Paul Schratz said by email Tuesday that the property hasn’t sold yet.
While Schratz did not say if a sale is in process – or if the Archdiocese is considering developing the property itself – City of Surrey officials told PAN Monday that a development application for the site is anticipated in the near future. Exactly what that might look like remains unclear.
Hardiman said he’s been told there is a desire to open accessibility of the neighbourhood south of 40 Avenue, including removal of a barricade at 156 Street and elimination of the cul-de-sac outside Rosemary Heights Elementary, in the 15500-block of 36 Avenue.
Both would facilitate access from any development of the 152 Street property from 40 Avenue and 154 Street, he said.
But residents say they will use a petition and “every other social media” to stop such steps.
Mothers Jennifer Hystad, Liza Chang and Tasha Walker – who have nine children between them, aged five to 15 – say safety of students walking to and from school is central to their opposition.
“The street just isn’t designed for high density,” Hystad said. “Right now, it’s safe. But if cars are racing through there, it’s not.”
The residents said they’re also frustrated that an ongoing city survey around traffic calming for 36 Avenue does not reference possible changes to the cul-de-sac.
A city letter dated April 14 notes a series of speed humps and a speed table are proposed between 152 and 155 streets – to within a half-block of the elementary school – but Hystad believes residents would respond differently if they knew the cul-de-sac was at stake.
She encouraged others with concerns to email safe.and.walkable.rosemary@gmail.com