MattersEnvironmentFirst seen Mar 20, 2023
Artificial turf on boulevards
The City plans to remove artificial-turf requirements for boulevards and restore industry maintenance and warranty standards. Turf installation costs have risen, and the City pays 65% of installation and all replacement costs, while sod costs less to install.
Where it stands: Staff directed to prepare bylaw changes Mar 20, 2023; completion is not recorded.
Timeline
Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.
Staff directed to remove turf requirements and restore standards
Council directed staff to remove artificial turf requirements from Bylaw No. 1000 and to reinstate industry maintenance and warranty standards in the next omnibus amendment.
Decision: Directed staff to remove artificial turf requirements and reinstate maintenance and warranty standards.
Passed 7–0
- Mike Wignell (Selwyn Road)Mixed · SSL water servicing
Supports SSL water funding as an investment in growth, while asking for clarification about conflicting amounts in the report. - Scott Perry (Glen Lake Road)Asks · Boulevard artificial turf
Asks for transparent answers on turf-cost comparisons, including whether land costs and lost tax revenue were included. - Sandy Seifert (Walford Road)Mixed · Boulevard artificial turf; SSL water servicing
Supports retaining boulevard turf requirements and describes SSL water funding as an investment with future tax revenue exceeding costs. - Michael Sunshine (Langlista Drive)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports removing artificial turf requirements, citing unmet savings expectations and environmental impacts. - David Dronsfield (Pete Road)Asks · Boulevard artificial turf
Asks council to preserve functional existing turf if requirements change and account for damage thresholds and removal costs. - N Brown (Wendy Drive)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports removing the requirement to install new boulevard artificial turf, citing environmental concerns. - Sienna G (Bear Mountain Parkway)Mixed · Boulevard artificial turf; accessibility committee
Supports a balanced turf policy prioritizing worker safety and waterways, and advocates an accessibility committee involving people with disabilities. - Nicholas JohalSupports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports retaining artificial turf on high-traffic boulevards, citing worker safety, durability, lower maintenance, and reduced chemical use. - Bernadette Armstrong (Rodney Road)Mixed · Boulevard artificial turf; YMCA lift
Supports letting existing boulevard turf reach end-of-life before replacement and questions whether the YMCA lift can use previously requested funds. - Ren Louie (Bellamy Road)Supports · Reconciliation grant; accessibility committee; boulevard artificial turf
Supports the reconciliation grant and a Langford-only accessibility committee, and favors retaining all-weather turf requirements. - Arnold Rossander (Ribonview Drive)Asks · Boulevard artificial turf
Asks for supporting data on turf costs, maintenance, lifespan, alternatives, and the basis for the report's conclusions. - Matt Girard (Alicia Place)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports retaining artificial turf requirements and questions the report's maintenance assumptions and projected removal costs. - Natalie McNeely (Lakehurst Drive)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports replacing boulevard turf at end-of-life or when deteriorating, and recommends native plants or gravel as alternatives. - S. Plank (Goldstream Avenue)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf; reconciliation grant; financial planning
Supports ending boulevard turf requirements, applying for the reconciliation grant, and expanding meaningful reconciliation and public engagement. - Kristen Ram (Finlison Arm Road)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf; reconciliation grant
Supports removing artificial turf requirements and applying for the Changemakers grant, recommending drought-resistant native plants for boulevards. - Colton Weatherston (Christita Crescent)Supports · Boulevard artificial turf
Supports removing artificial turf requirements, with exceptions for hazardous areas where turf protects worker safety. - Norman Joel (Walford Place)Mixed · Boulevard artificial turf; meeting schedule
Supports boulevard turf for worker safety and asks whether daytime public meetings can instead be held in the evening.
- Mike Wignell (Selwyn Road)Mixed · SSL water servicing