[CANUFNET] [EXTERNAL] CANUFNET Digest, Vol 236, Issue 7

Thu Nov 28 21:34:54 UTC 2024

Hi Crispin,

I suspect we are all facing the same challenge that is utilities and tree conflict at the design stage. In 2018, as an action item of the Urban Forest Management Strategy, New Westminster published a technical guidebook to guide designer in creating space for trees (see this link<https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/New_Westminster_UFMS_Technical_Guidebook_PR.PDF>). Section 2.5 of the guidebook identifies setback from grey infrastructure where trees cannot be planted. We use those setback when reviewing proposed developments and request that underground and above ground utilities be located where we can't plant trees. Since the Urban Forest Management Strategy was developed in collaboration with every departments at the city, it facilitates the buy-in from our utility groups when we make such requests.

I have not had the chance to review the draft of your Urban Forest Management Plan but I am looking forward to reviewing it. You may have the opportunity to include language about avoiding utility conflict at the design stage. For the sites already constructed, I would suggest consulting with the people responsible of the utilities and follow the setback they are asking - it will go a long way for when it is your turn to ask them to protect urban forest assets.

Good luck,

Sylvain Martel | Superintendent, Urban Forestry (Acting)
T 604.527.4625 | E smartel at newwestcity.ca<mailto:smartel at newwestcity.ca>
[cid:image005.gif at 01D4F5D1.B3F9CE90]City of New Westminster | Parks & Recreation
newwestcity.ca/rec<http://www.newwestcity.ca/rec> | [Title: FB, IG, TW:] @newwestrec<https://www.facebook.com/newwestrec/>

We recognize and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. As a City, we are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

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Today's Topics:

1. Underground utilities and Municipal Design Standards
(Wood, Crispin)

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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:15:55 +0000
From: "Wood, Crispin" <woodc at halifax.ca<mailto:woodc at halifax.ca>>
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>>,
"canufnet-owner at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet-owner at list.web.net>" <canufnet-owner at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet-owner at list.web.net>>
Cc: "Tay, Karam" <Karam.Tay at halifax.ca<mailto:Karam.Tay at halifax.ca>>
Subject: [CANUFNET] Underground utilities and Municipal Design
Standards
Message-ID:
<YT1PR01MB9417FE1FAA1FFCB5DF0E6A31D5282 at YT1PR01MB9417.CANPRD01.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM<mailto:YT1PR01MB9417FE1FAA1FFCB5DF0E6A31D5282 at YT1PR01MB9417.CANPRD01.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>>

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Hello folks,

I'm looking to get some perspective from across the country.

In Halifax, we are encountering the issue of finding suitable locations to plant street trees in new subdivisions. The frontages are already very narrow for many of our suburban lots, and the utilities (site services), based on our design standards, are located in the lawns, challenging the plantings of trees in said lawn.

In most other jurisdictions that I have worked, the utilities (site services) are often located under the driveways, which opens the lawn to planting trees without conflict. While I haven't sat down to speak with the Utilities in Halifax, or the Engineers responsible for our design standards just yet, I'm trying to get a sense, from other judications, as to why Halifax might differ. I suspect a reason to locate utilities under a driveway would be to free the lawns to planting, but also suspect the utilities may have reason not to want their assets under the driveway for maintenance.

I would appreciate any perspectives or experiences with this matter. Or to put it another way... if other municipalities have design standards requiring the utilities be located under the driveways, how did they accomplish this so that I might learn. Was it a tree planting argument? or were there other reasons?

Any perspective, constructive comment, or advice is appreciated.

Crispin Wood
MANAGER of Urban Forestry
INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
Public Works

H?LIF?X
PO BOX 1749
HALIFAX NS B3J 3A5
halifax.ca<http://www.halifax.ca/<http://www.halifax.ca>>

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