New rules for sidewalks and street trees in Abbotsford

Abbotsford is looking to tweak its developer rules to try to let street trees thrive. Among the changes to the city’s development bylaw, the city will increase the required size of growing medians—that small stretch of green space between sidewalks and a street curb—when developers construct new frontages for buildings. In places where there is no median and street trees are planted within a “hardscape,” the city will be introducing “modular soil cells” that aim to be more conducive to growing larger, healthier trees. The city is also increasing the minimum sidewalk width to 1.8 m.

The changes aren’t likely to be the last. Although the development bylaw hasn’t been updated for a decade, staff now say it should be tweaked and refreshed at least every two years. Residents can still apply input and feedback online, through the city’s engagement portal.

The final bylaw is expected to be presented to council in the first quarter of 2022.