Frequently asked questions
- What is a local improvement?
- How can I get improvements to my area?
- Can speed humps be installed on my street?
- Why should I pay for this work to be done? Do my taxes not cover it?
- How can I get potholes filled?
- How do I stop water draining from the lane into my property?
- Do I have to pay if I don't support the local improvement project?
- When I multiply the annual charge by the years to pay it's costing me a lot more than if I pay all at once. Why?
- I'm a senior and cannot afford to pay the local improvement charges. Are there any options?
- Lights in the lane or on the street are not working. Who should I call?
- Will you pave up to my garage?
- What does "flankage" mean?
- Who does the construction work?
- Why does it take so long to process my request for a petition?
- Why is my lane not paved when all others around it have been?
- Why can't I have speed bumps installed at the same time as lane paving?
- If our petition is passed do I have to attend the Court of Revision?
- I want speed bumps, but not behind my property?
- Why can't my street be wider than the standard?
- I am circulating a Petition but what do I do if there are absentee owners?
- Are phone numbers provided along with the list of eligible owners?
What is a local improvement?
A local improvement is an improvement project that is near or adjacent to your property, which you would benefit from in one form or another. The improvement can be lane improvement, street improvements, traffic circles, etc. Whatever the improvement is, it is considered a local issue and therefore a local improvement.
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How can I get improvements for my area?
In order to have improvements constructed, a petition needs to be circulated among owners that are adjacent to the project. A petition for improvement is considered successful if the petition is returned with the signatures of at least two-thirds of the affected owners who are prepared to contribute their share. With a majority of owners supporting the project, Council will generally approve funding for the project.
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Can speed humps be installed on my street?
Yes, but not as a "local improvement" project. The Active Transportation Branch determines if speed humps on a particular street are warranted. Criteria such as speed, traffic volume, and location are some factors that are considered. Contact Sylvia Kirk, Active Transportation at 604-873-7908 for information and details.
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Why should I pay for this work to be done. Do my taxes not cover it?
Annual taxes do not directly cover this type of work. Taxes go towards general services such as utilities and emergency services, such as fire or police, and general maintenance. Indirectly, funds from general revenue cover part of the cost of construction of local improvement projects.
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How can I get potholes filled?
Call 3-1-1 to report any pot-holes or other maintenance concerns.
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How do I stop water draining from the lane into my property?
Report the situation to 3-1-1 and they will dispatch a work crew to resolve this situation.
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Do I have to pay if I don't support the local improvement project?
If a majority of owners support the improvement whether it is by City initiative or by petition, all owners affected by the improvement are involved and are required to contribute even if they are opposed to the project.
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When I multiply the annual charge by the years to pay, it's costing me a lot more than if I pay all at once. Why?
In order to fund projects, the City borrows money and the cost of borrowing is passed on to the owners by way of interest charges
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I'm a senior and cannot afford to pay the local improvement charges. Are there any options?
Local improvement charges can be deferred similar to deferment of taxes. Please call 3-1-1.
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Lights in the lane or on the street are not working. Who should I call?
Please call 3-1-1.
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Will you pave up to my garage?
Council adopted the low cost center strip paving as the City standard. If owners prefer a complete connection, it can be done on a cash basis.
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What does "flankage" mean?
Flankage refers to the length of the long side of a lot and is used to determine how much to assess the owner of the property for local improvement charges. In residential areas, owners are assessed for only 25% of the length, whereas commercial or higher density properties are assessed for 75% of the length.
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Who does the construction work?
Local improvement projects are constructed by city work crews and private contractors
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Why does it take so long to process my request for a petition?
The work must be coordinated with other departments to ensure there are no future conflicts. If there has been a previous request, the petition can be processed a lot quicker.
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Why is my lane not paved when all other around it have been?
The most likely reason is that there is insufficient support for the project or no one has circulated a petition for lane improvement. If you are interested in circulating a Petition, call us at 604-873-7928.
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Why can't I have speed humps installed at the same time as lane paving?
Installation of speed humps require a separate petition and generally would not be issued at the same time as a lane paving petition. It is a common perception that if a lane is paved, vehicles will travel faster which may or may not be the case. Our experience has found that vehicles using the lane are residents, and residents are respectful of one another and tend not to speed. It is recommended that the lane be paved to allow the neighbourhood to determine if speed humps are appropriate.
However, there are exceptions; especially if the lane is near a major street or intersection. In these circumstances, a petition for speed humps may be issued at the same time as a petition for lane paving.
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If our petition is passed do I have to attend the Court of Revision?
No, you do not have to attend. The Court of Revision is a formality that provides affected owners an opportunity to voice their concerns to Council. Generally if there is sufficient support for a project, Council usually approves it.
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I want speed bumps, but not behind my property?
The location of speed humps is determined based on where they are most effective. The length of the lane determines the number of speed humps that can be installed. Locating a speed hump adjacent to a garage or parking area is avoided wherever possible, but there are situations where it happens.
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Why can't my street be wider than the standard?
We find that building a wider street attracts more transient traffic traveling at higher speeds. Wider streets are usually reserved for designated collecter or arterial streets, or adjacent to parks, churches, hospitals and schools. All other streets are constructed to the residential standard of 8.5 meters.
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I am circulating a petition but what do I do if there are absentee owners?
Using the list of owners that are eligible to sign, we recommend that you track down the owners by looking up their names in the phone book or online through a reverse address website. Call them instead of visiting them to see if they are interested in signing the petition. If they are supportive, then you can make the appropriate arrangements for their support.
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Are phone numbers provided along with the list of eligible owners?
Phone numbers are not provided because that information is not on the property tax database. We suggest using the White Pages or a reverse lookup online.
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