Congestion along the popular and often crowded sea wall intensifies near English Bay in the West End outside a new beachfront restaurant, but Vision Vancouver parks board commissioner Aaron Jasper says the problem doesnt all lie at the feet of the Cactus Club.
Jasper is seeking ways to minimize conflict along the most crowded areas of the 26-kilometre sea wall, including outside the new Cactus Club location.
We have several areas across the system where we have problems, said Jasper, who lives in the West End. That area before the Cactus Club opened, is always a bit dodgy with respect to navigating pedestrians, cyclists and roller bladders.
Solutions may include better signs and coloured pavement. All ideas will be explored, he said.
The timing coincides with the pending review of bicycle, rollerblade and pedestrian traffic in Stanley Park, which is expected later this summer.
The Cactus Club Café opened March 2 on Beach Drive at the busy intersection of Davie and Denman streets. On May 7, the West End Residents Association (WERA) drew attention to the restaurants crowd control and improper use of a commercial and passenger loading zone.
Jasper said WERAs concerns, which were posted online, gave the wrong impression.
For someone who doesnt live in the West End or someone who doesnt access the sea wall on a regular basis, someone might get the impression that everything was fine down there before the Cactus Club arrived, he said. He considers the Cactus Club a good neighbour.
A preliminary development plan, which was later amended, prevented passenger drop-of and pick-up out front the restaurant in the commercial loading zone. Following WERAs letter, the valet service will no longer access this loading zone and crowd control has also been adapted.
Twitter: @MHStewart
