Part 1: Parks Plan Accessibility Input, Planning Tools Approved, and Meeting Format Changes — 09/25/2023

The Accessibility Advisory Committee held a special meeting on September 25, 2023 to complete agenda items that could not be finished previously due to lack of quorum. The meeting included members attending both in person and by Zoom, allowing participation despite earlier scheduling challenges. The agenda was approved as republished by the Clerk’s office, with items reordered to accommodate staff availability, and there were no disclosures of pecuniary interest, no announcements, and no registered public comments.

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Parks and Recreation Master Plan presentation

Lisa Severson, Director of Recreation and Community Facilities, presented an overview of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, explaining that this is the first full plan since amalgamation and that it will guide how parks and recreational assets are upgraded, replaced, or repurposed across the county. She confirmed that all recommendations will comply with AODA, building code, and fire code requirements, including upcoming 2025 accessibility standards, and noted that public engagement included five consultations along with a county wide survey.

Committee members asked a range of questions covering accessible parking, mobility bus access, accessible play surfaces, gender neutral washrooms, equity between communities, and inclusive park design. Following discussion, the committee passed a motion to forward all accessibility related comments to the Recreation and Community Facilities Department, ensuring accessibility feedback is formally included in the master plan.

Grant support letters

The committee reviewed and approved template grant support letters to allow timely support for accessibility focused projects. A process was approved allowing the Chair or designate to issue letters, and the committee also requested that Council authorize the Mayor to sign letters on behalf of the committee for time sensitive requests. This creates a more efficient and streamlined approval process for future funding opportunities.

Committee appointments and working groups

The committee appointed Sarah Moffitt to represent the committee on the Primary Care Infrastructure Working Group, helping ensure accessibility considerations are included in health care facility planning. Members also discussed updates related to the Access the County program and approved assigning Carolyn Rice to assist with developing a project plan alongside staff.

Meeting format discussion

Members discussed whether meetings should remain virtual, move to in person, or adopt a hybrid format, weighing accessibility needs alongside the benefits of in person discussion. The committee passed a motion recommending in person meetings with Zoom available for members who need it, and directed the Chair and Vice Chair to review the terms of reference and return with proposed updates.

Planning and accessibility tools

The committee approved a revised accessibility site plan checklist and agreed it should be shared with developers early in the planning process to improve outcomes from the start. Members also directed that the checklist be posted on the county website and requested that Planning staff provide a report highlighting accessibility related items in the draft zoning bylaw.

Closing items

The committee approved accessibility related questions for a Visit the County business survey, received updates on the committee action plan, confirmed the next meeting date of November 20, 2023, and adjourned.

Key Takeaways

1. Accessibility input gathered during the meeting will play a direct role in shaping the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, ensuring that future upgrades and facilities across the county reflect accessibility standards and community needs.

   
   

2. The committee approved new tools and processes, including site plan checklists and grant support systems, which will help strengthen how accessibility is considered in both planning and development moving forward.

   
   

3. There was clear support for maintaining flexibility in how the committee operates, with a preference for in person meetings supported by virtual access when needed, allowing participation while still encouraging stronger discussion and collaboration.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:46:03. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.