They didn't know how well it would work — or, if, at all.
The green street concept had never been tried in Coquitlam so when city officials proposed it to Wesbild Holdings — which was building a new subdivision in the Upper Hyde Creek neighbourhood of Burke Mountain in 2006 — both the municipality and developer made plans in case it had to be ripped out.
Just like for a standard road, the green street on West Watkins Avenue had utilities installed below and street lighting and trees above ground. The paved sidewalks were also extended to connect with the Watkins Avenue network.
But rather than asphalt, the centre was filled with grass — a design element that drew some logical concerns about its potential success.
Morningstar Homes, the Coquitlam builder that purchased the 20 green street-facing lots from Wesbild, priced their new single-family homes at a lower rate, unsure how buyers would receive the closed-off corridor.
Wesbild had to accommodate as well, constructing wider lanes at the back of the homes to allow for emergency response and more parking.
The city also placed covenants on the green street titles, banning secondary suites to prevent overcrowding, and it prevented initial programming for community use. No permanent structures went in other than four benches, "The Frog" (a public art piece on the west side) and a trellis to the east.
Today, the West Watkins green street stands as a showcase for the city, promoting healthy living and good urban planning in a mountainous, suburban environment.
Another green street will open soon, just down the hill on Roxton Avenue between Coast Meridian Road and Toronto Street. There, property owner/developer Annette Steer Scott is building six townhouses on the southside with homes facing a new 60-metre long green street.
More are on the way in yet-to-be-built and older Coquitlam neighbourhoods, too.
Green streets are slated for Burke Mountain's most eastern neighbourhood of Partington Creek as well as for Maillardville and Burquitlam-Lougheed. In the latter area redevelopment, a "green mews" close to Mountain View elementary is on the books to link with a larger path network.
"We are open to discussions with developers for more," said Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam's manager of community planning, during a tour last Friday of the West Watkins green street.
Still, while green streets are new to Coquitlam, they've been popping up for years in the U.S. following the model in Radburn, New Jersey.
Founded in 1929, Radburn sought to create safe places for its residents as vehicles were being mass produced. In fact, its residential "super blocks" banned pedestrian paths from crossing major roads at grade — a design that later influenced Walt Disney for his amusement parks.
Two years ago, Coquitlam city planners reached out to West Watkins green street homeowners and neighbours to gauge their views of the 70-metre long amenity.
Of the 98 questionnaires, most of the 28 respondents — half of them green street residents — wrote positive reviews and called on city council to adopt more. As for the negative feedback, residents cited lack of nearby parking, poor maintenance of the green street and loss of privacy.
However, Merrill said the pros outweigh the cons.
Property values of homes fronting West Watkins are high and those residents benefit healthwise by having a social gathering space and greenery outside their homes, he said. There is also less noise and pollution from vehicle traffic.
There is an added benefit to the municipality as a green street is cheaper to maintain than a normal road — especially with no snow ploughing — and, when it went in, the city didn't have to find parkland as required for new subdivisions.
"I think it's been incredibly successful," he said of West Watkins, adding, "You essentially have a park at your front door. It's great for the kids and it really unifies the community."
Added Jennifer Derbyshire, marketing and community relations director for Wesbild: "We would definitely look at doing another green street if we had a neighbourhood where it would work."
