We received the below letter from TEAM Burnaby, whose candidates are running for mayor, counsel, and school trustee positions in the upcoming Burnaby Local Government Election on November 19th. While Citizens Opposed to the Gondola is a nonpartisan organization, we commend TEAM Burnaby for their opposition of the gondola and recommend that anyone concerned with this project ask the officials running for office in their community their position on this proposal before voting.
Thank you for your question regarding the proposed gondola system between the Production Way Skytrain station and SFU.
This is the response on behalf of TEAM Burnaby candidates for mayor and council.
TEAM Burnaby notes that SFU is served by Gaglardi Way on the south side and
the Burnaby Mountain Parkway/Hastings connector on the west side. These
major roads have more than adequate capacity to facilitate existing and
expanded transit service to Burnaby Mountain.
In addition to transit use, TEAM Burnaby believes cycling, ride-sharing and
car-pooling should be encouraged and promoted by Translink, the City of
Burnaby and SFU.
TEAM Burnaby is concerned about the loss of privacy, noise and view
degradation that may affect residents of the Forest Grove neighbourhood and,
in particular, the Pine Ridge Housing Co-op, if the gondola system and
significant support towers are constructed.
TEAM Burnaby is concerned that the gondola route and support structures will
impact the Burnaby Mountain conservation area owned by the city of Burnaby.
TEAM Burnaby is concerned about deforestation, slope erosion, sediment
run-off affecting stream water quality, wildlife habitat disruption and
micro-environmental effects of the gondola project.
Given the above unaddressed issues and noting significant area resident
concerns, TEAM Burnaby candidates for city council do not support the
construction of the Production Way/SFU gondola.
Thank you for your question.
Lee Rankin
TEAM Burnaby candidate for council
On behalf of TEAM Burnaby candidates for mayor and council