Alternative approval process underway for Maple Drive street lighting

 Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Proposed Service Area map for Maple Drive Streetlight Service

The Cariboo Regional District is moving forward with an alternative approval process (AAP) for a proposed installation of streetlights along Maple Drive in Electoral Area ‘A’, immediately south of the City of Quesnel (see accompanying map for the location of the streetlights and AAP eligible voter boundaries). If approved, the proposal would see the installation of 23 streetlights along Maple Drive at a cost to residents of $7.31 per $100,000 of assessed home/property value annually.

An AAP is a ‘reverse’ form of public assent where the proposed change will go ahead unless at least ten per cent of the eligible voters submit a signed Elector Response Form saying they are against the proposal. This means the CRD will move forward with the streetlighting service unless ten percent of eligible voters register their opposition via an elector response form. To be counted, signed Elector Response Forms must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020.

The proposed bylaw, service area boundary map, and elector response form can be viewed and downloaded at: https://www.cariboord.ca/services/utilities/streetlighting

Maple Drive Streetlighting Background:

An increase in industrial traffic and a pedestrian fatality early in 2019 highlighted the need for safety improvements to the Maple Drive corridor. In addition, the construction of a new middle school, starting in the fall of 2020, will soon be bringing increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic to the neighbourhood.

The Cariboo Regional District was asked, through contact with Electoral Area 'A' Director Mary Sjostrom, to look at ways to improve safety along the Maple Drive corridor. In view of these developments, the installation of 23 street lights on existing BC Hydro poles is being proposed, to improve road safety along this busy route, (see map above for proposed coverage area). The Insurance Corporation of BC has committed $12,000 towards the capital cost of the project, as part of its funding of road safety initiatives

For further details, contact:

Chris Keam, CRD Manager of Communications (Ph: 250-392-3351 or email: ckeam@cariboord.ca)

Mary Sjostrom, CRD Electoral Area 'A' Director (Ph: 250-991-9192 or email: msjostrom@cariboord.ca)