Riverdale could have a very different look if the proposals in a draft plan for the neighbourhood go ahead.

The draft 32-page Riverdale Neighbourhood Plan was presented to residents of the neighbourhood last week at a public meeting held at F.H. Collins Secondary School.

As consultants Kobayashi and Zedda Architects continue working on the final plan based on input from that meeting, Riverdale Community Association president Doug MacLean says he's pleased with the ideas coming out of the plans.

It's a proposal which starts with wider lanes at the Robert Campbell Bridge leading into the neighbourhood from the downtown area.

"In its current form, it acts as a bottleneck to traffic during peak hours and represents a safety hazard for cyclists commuting in traffic," notes the draft.

"Given the proximity of vehicular traffic on the road, many cyclists opt to use the pedestrian walkway, which given its width, creates a conflict between cyclist and pedestrian foot traffic."

The plan suggests widening the bridge to accommodate a new bike lane that would be seperate from vehicles.

"Improved cycling/pedestrian conditions may encourage more alternate forms of commuting, thereby reducing automobile traffic congestion even further," the plan states.

The plan moves on to suggest a number of ways to improve the traffic coming in and out of the area, inducing the addition of a roundabout at Nisutlin Drive and Lewes Boulevard near the Super A grocery store.

As MacLean pointed out, that would make it easier for those trying to turn left off of Nisutlin onto Lewes, a manoeuver that can be very time-consuming during the morning and late afternoon rush periods.

The main boulevard into the neighbourhood would be in from some major changes. A higher densification is proposed in the area of Nisutlin in an effort to move away from the current look that has buildings set back far from the street "lacking street appeal and are a by-product of a 1960s zoning mentality where sprawling parking lots took front and centre."

It's suggested that shifting parking to the rear, along with the addition of benches and such, landscaping and lighting would increase the use of the area and promote pedestrian use.

"It'll change the look for the better," MacLean said.

Increasing the density there would revitalize the area and save the greenbelt, he added.

MacLean was also pleased with the concept of a commons area and community garden for the neighbourhood.

The commons would be located behind Christ the King Elementary and Vanier Catholic Secondary Schools, which are currently often used as local hangouts.

The plan would see the area connect the two sports fields in the area, creating a site for watching games as well as having a playground, picnic area, community garden and event space for the neighbourhood.

"It's something that could really bloom," MacLean said with a laugh.

He's already heard from someone at Macaulay Lodge that seniors would likely make good use of the area.

The plan also proposes developing better connections and trail improvements through the neighbourhood and includes the results of two surveys done with residents.

While some residents told planners they want to be able to keep chickens in their backyard, as the plan notes, city bylaws would have to be changed for that to happen.

"Bylaws could be amended to ensure a sanitary living environment and a maximum number of chickens, decreasing disturbance and issues in an urban environment," reads the plan.

There's no set date for the final report to be released, but MacLean noted it will likely be "sooner than later."

In the meantime, MacLean said, the community association will continue its efforts to start work on some of the proposals, getting set for things like landscaping along Lewes Boulevard from Nisutlin Drive to the end of the street at Grey Mountain Primary School.

"We've shown we can get things done," he said of implementing the final plan once it's complete, citing other projects the group has done in the past.