Green Space

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The prior R-10 zoning (which was in place for almost 40 years in the Brentwood Park neighbourhood) mandated large setbacks which created sizeable green spaces and enabled large gardens and trees to be planted.  

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The tree-lined and garden-lined curved streets of Brentwood Park serves as quasi-green space for the entire Brentwood Town Centre and beyond as many people outside the community come here to walk, jog, bird-watch and enjoy the quiet respite that our neighbourhood offers. 

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Impacts of Densification

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Heat Domes

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The environmental impacts of high density development in Brentwood Park are multiple.  When multi-generational homes are demolished and replaced by apartment buildings, townhomes and multiplexes, most of the green space, including trees and gardens, will be lost.  Many of the trees in Brentwood Park are mature, with some being over 100 years old that can never be replaced.  The loss of green space to make way for concrete and asphalt will lead to increased surface temperatures, and heat islands and heat domes like the one experienced in June 2021 where 63 people died in the City of Burnaby will be more prevalent.  

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As cities become more urbanized and dense, man-made structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure and systems absorb and re-emit the sun's heat.  With over 100 skyscrapers recently constructed and approved/in-planning in and around Brentwood Park, expect this phenomenon to continue to get exponentially worse.

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​​​Floodplain

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Large portions of Burnaby are located in a floodplain.  In the Burnaby OCP 2050, the City makes special reference to the Still Creek area and the importance of restoring the floodplain between Boundary Road and Burnaby Lake.   The City distributed a message to Burnaby residents through its City Connect Fall 2024 newsletter (click here to see newsletter), encouraging residents to help prevent flooding by limiting the use of concrete, asphalt or artificial turf and maximizing lawn and garden space and trees (see snip below).  Recommendations set out in the newsletter directly contradict the City's 2050 vision for Burnaby (and specifically Brentwood Park) where high density development is envisioned across the entire neighbourhood.  

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Recent atmospheric river incidents in October overwhelmed the storm-water systems that caused extreme flooding in Still Creek and other areas.  More severe downpours are expected due to climate change.  Brentwood Park is located directly uphill from the Still Creek floodplain, and extreme densification in the region in recent years (over 30 high-rises completed) has exacerbated flooding and settlement issues.  An additional 70+ high-rise towers have been approved or are in the planning stages along Lougheed Highway between Holdom and Gilmore Skytrain stations.  Even with all this new development, the Province has mandated the City to go further by imposing Bills 44 and 47 that would clear the way for the destruction of a thriving neighbourhood.  Envisioned densification will eventually create impervious surfaces across 70% of the 500+ properties across the Brentwood Park neighbourhood.

 

Severe loss of permeable green spaces uphill from a floodplain that has been identified as an area of special interest by the City of Burnaby demonstrates that government authorities are not planning responsibly for climate change with the imposition of new housing legislation that does not take into account unique circumstances surrounding each community within each municipality.  

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Loss of Habitat

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Habitat loss has already led to a reduction in valuable insects such as bees and caterpillars (main source of food for breeding birds) and predatory mammals such as raccoons and coyotes that keep pests like rats in check.  Birds of all species are also on the decline.  One main threat to birds is collision with windows/glass, and adding apartments in our neighbourhood in addition to the multitude of high rises already in the town centre will only exacerbate this problem. 

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The Link between Carbon Emissions and Re-purposing Buildings

 

Significant carbon emissions are generated from the demolition of buildings as well as from new construction which uses concrete and asphalt, both of which are heavy carbon emitters.  One of the policy directions in the Burnaby 2050 OCP (phase 3) under climate security was to focus on repurposing rather than demolishing buildings.  This policy mimics policies set by progressive cities around the world that are managing to supply housing by renovating and repurposing existing structures. 

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Once again, this policy directive directly contradicts the implementation of Bills 44 and 47 which will result in the demolition of Brentwood Park homes to make way for the construction of high density, carbon-intensive development.  Many homes in Brentwood Park are newly constructed or renovated and retrofitted to meet current standards for energy efficiency including better insulation and the installation of heat pumps. Most houses in Brentwood Park were built in the 1950's with old growth timber. Renovation experts can attest to the difference between hammering a nail into an old-growth stud and second-growth stud.  Tearing down a house made with old-growth wood means that you're demolishing a structure made from trees that may have been several hundred years old.  The recognition of this sort of irreplaceable ecological heritage is emerging and is driving the trend towards re-purposing and preserving certain structures rather than demolishing and building new less ecologically-friendly towers. ​

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Some homeowners have invested heavily in their homes with the intent of remaining in this community long-term, but the over-densification of this neighbourhood may impact long-term decisions and potentially discourage future investment in upgrades. 

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Brentwood Park's 1950's bungalows often house multiple generations of families (from grandparents to grandchildren) or are rented to families who are not able to find suitable accommodations in apartment buildings.  Brentwood Park is supplying much-needed housing options without the need to create unnecessary waste from mass demolition.  

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Mental Health

 

BC is experiencing a mental health crisis that has been worsened by an opioid crisis.   Many robust studies support the need to be in contact with nature and green space to maintain a healthy outlook.  As cities become over-developed,  increased levels of crime and mental health problems will ensue.

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Long term residents of Brentwood Park can attest to the health benefits of living in a close-knit community surrounded by green space, where neighbours look out for each other.  There are still original homeowners living healthy lives, walking the streets of Brentwood Park, aging gracefully in place in their 1950's bungalows. ​​

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