The Town of Smithers provided an opportunity for public input into the redesign of Princess Street in the fall of 2024.

Summary of Public Feedback:

• A total of 46 respondents participated in the feedback process.
• Option 3 emerged as the most popular, receiving support from 24 respondents. An additional four respondents expressed preference for either Option 3 or 4, bringing total support for the option to 28 out of 46. Option 3 offers a compromise between maintaining some on-street parking and adding a safer, separated multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. It was favored for its potential to support active transportation without significantly impacting parking availability.
• Option 4, supported by 8 respondents, was mainly favored for its focus on safety through reduced vehicle-pedestrian interactions. This option does not balance parking needs as well as Option 3. Option 4 respondents show support for MUP construction, bringing total support for a MUP (Options 3 and 4 combined) to 36 out of 46.
• Option 1, the Town’s standard local/residential road detail, was supported by 5 respondents, who emphasized the need for on-street parking as opposed to bike lanes. These respondents expressed opposition to bike lanes citing low cyclist numbers and/or concerns about funding priorities.
• An additional 5 respondents had no preference stated. They may have been aligned with Option 1 or wished to see the funds diverted elsewhere.

Recurring Themes in the Feedback:

1. Balance Parking and Active Transportation:
   • Residents valued Option 3 for preserving parking while adding a safe path for non-motorized road users. Parking concerns were particularly important for community services, such as churches and daycares.
2. Focus on Safety and Accessibility:
   • There was significant support for improving safety, particularly for children and cyclists. A common theme was the desire for physical separation between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists.
3. Extension to Sixteenth Avenue:
   • Multiple respondents advocated for extending the proposed improvements to Sixteenth Avenue, and even adjacent to Ranger Park, to enhance the Town's active transportation network.
   • The concrete sidewalk between Fifteenth Avenue and Sixteenth Avenue was replaced in 2019; therefore, that block was not included in the original project scope -- thus the request to approve extending the project to Sixteenth Avenue as a MUP by replacing the sidewalk.
4. Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits:
   • Respondents emphasized the importance of tree preservation and enhancing the aesthetics of Princess Street. Some Princess Street property owners supported Option 3 only on the condition that no trees would be cut down.
5. Active Transportation Advocacy:
   • Residents highlighted the health and environmental benefits of active transportation, noting the benefits of reduced emissions and better air quality.