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Sidewalk squabble on Soriel Road in Parksville

Residents want to see a sidewalk all the way to the road's end at the bluffs above the ocean
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A look at Soriel Road from Willow to Temple

A dozen residents from the Soriel Road area of Parksville came to city council Monday night, asking for more sidewalks and calling it a matter of public safety.

At issue is a development on Soriel and opinions on how much of the development's frontage should have sidewalks. Only part of the land is being developed and the developer's preliminary drawings indicate sidewalks in front of that portion of the land being developed.

"The bylaws that we have are being followed to the exact letter of the law," said the city's chief administrative officer Fred Manson, who said there is no requirement for the developer to put sidewalks in front of the land not being developed.

Soriel resident Jack Verspagen spoke to council on behalf of the residents on Monday. He said in an interview Wednesday residents want sidewalks from Temple Street all the way to the bluffs above the ocean.

"You don't want people walking on the road," said Verspagen. "It's not a safe condition."

Soriel Road runs west away from the water to Belson Street. The area of the road in question is from Temple to the end of Soriel on the bluffs. Willow Street ends at Soriel about 100 metres from the bluffs and there are no sidewalks on either side of the street from Willow to the bluffs. There is a sidewalk for about 120 metres on the south of Soriel (the left side of the road when facing away from the ocean), ending about 80 metres before Temple Street. There is no sidewalk on the east side of Soriel from the bluffs to Temple.

The development fronts Soriel's north side from Willow to Temple. Private residences front both sides of Soriel from Willow to the bluffs where there