The results are in and it looks like many residents in Colwood are satisfied with the overall quality of life, according to the results of a recent survey.
The Colwood Citizen Survey shows the average rating for overall quality of life in the municipality is 8 out of 10, up from 7.5 out of 10 in the previous citizen satisfaction survey conducted in 2015/16. Colwood as a place to raise children received an average rating of 8.1, up from 7.6, and Colwood as a place to retire rated 7.9 up from 7.4.
More residents also feel the City is doing a good job, that they receive good value for the municipal taxes they pay, and that the City listens to its citizens and encourages their involvement in council decision making, with a 6.7, 6.2 and 6.2 rating, respectively. According to the survey, transportation and traffic flow is the most important issue facing the municipality, followed by development and urban planning and the number of unfinished projects.
Mayor Carol Hamilton said she wasnB次元官网网址檛 surprised by the results and hopes ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 neighbourly feeling continues as the municipality expands.
B次元官网网址淵es, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing some changes. I want those changes to happen in a way that keeps the home feel,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to have the check back to see if weB次元官网网址檙e trending on the upside or the downside B次元官网网址� It is just another way for us to reach out and understand, where do we have to put some attention? Where are we doing okay?B次元官网网址�
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As part of the survey, researchers called 400 residents last month, asking them a number of questions related to life in the municipality, such as Colwood as a place for young adults to learn, work, play, live and as a place to retire. They also asked about the most important issues facing the municipality and how satisfied residents are with the services and amenities offered.
But there is room for improvement.Sidewalks received the lowest rating at 5.8, followed by the issues of affordable housing options and land use planning. Customer service by City employees also dropped compared to 2015/16.
Hamilton said the City has been proactive in engaging with residents and addressing their concerns, but when it comes to sidewalks admits itB次元官网网址檚 playing a bit of catch up.
B次元官网网址淭he bulk of Colwood was built when it first took off in the late B次元官网网址�60s into the B次元官网网址�70s. It was all done when there wasnB次元官网网址檛 a lot of organization and they failed to acquire those basic amenities like sidewalks. They allowed flat roads, ditches and culverts because that was affordable in those days,B次元官网网址� said Hamilton, adding recently the municipality has surfaced the trail near Painter Road so Royal Bay students can walk safely to school and is working on installing sidewalks on Metchosin Road.
She also noted any new developments include sidewalk improvements or contributions. B次元官网网址淸Residents are] looking for those basics of the safety of sidewalks, bike lanes and trails. Yes, weB次元官网网址檙e working on it, but itB次元官网网址檚 a very expensive retrofit.B次元官网网址�
Survey results will also be used to inform the cityB次元官网网址檚 2018 strategic planning and budgeting process.
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