West Vancouver plans to document all the communitys beach access points and road ends to see what improvements are still needed to give citizens access to the water.
Eight beach and stream access points have been improved in the district since the beginning of a revitalization initiative in 2002, largely using private money to install paths, signage and landscaping to the beaches, in large part on public land.
Most recently, four neighbours contributed a combined $1.4 million to uncover a stream at the foot of 27th Street, build new stairs to the beach and construct a breakwater to protect the properties on shore.
That project was completed just this year and the high price has alerted staff to the need to re-examine the scope of work required.
Just the sheer magnitude of that improvement in terms of cost just makes us all say, OK, let us get more clear on which access points we want to enhance, how to optimize that, said Brent Leigh, deputy chief administrative officer for the district, at the July 25 council meeting.
All other projects ranged in price from $40,000 to $375,000.
Staff hope that cataloguing the remaining access points, with more than 30 candidates for renewal, will help them prioritize which projects to go next and identify new funding.
In most cases, improvements are paid for along with redevelopment of neighbouring properties, with homeowners contacting the district, but staff will also work to clarify the process for homeowners, according to the report.
Council unanimously supported the motion, as well as the work to date, including Coun. Michael Lewis, who lives close to a beach access improved in 2002 to Stearman Beach at Ross Crescent.
Its quite remarkable the difference thats come about as a result of that particular initiative, he said.
