CSD-14-025 - Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) - Phase 2: Communications Approach

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REPORT TO: Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING: April 28, 2014 SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning PREPARED BY: Natalie Goss, Senior Planner - 519-741-2200 ext. 7067 Kendra Martin, Communications and Marketing Associate ext. 7547 WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL DATE OF REPORT: April 7, 2014 REPORT NO.: CSD-14-025 SUBJECT: PLANNING AROUND RAPID TRANSIT STATIONS (PARTS) – PHASE 2: COMMUNICATIONS APPROACH RECOMMENDATION: That staff proceed with Approach #3 for communication and stakeholder engagement of the Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) Station Plans as described in report CSD-14-025 and subject to purchasing processes. BACKGROUND: The Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) project was introduced to Council through report CSD-12-150 presented at the November 12, 2012 Council Strategy Session. PARTS Phase 1 concluded in December 2013 with report CSD-13-104 wherein Council supported staff to proceed with PARTS Phase 2 (corridor-wide initiatives) and Station Study Area Planning in accordance with the sequencing and timing outlined in that report. This report is about one of the five corridor-wide initiatives of Phase 2. REPORT: Light rail transit (LRT) has the potential to be a major factor in the long-term growth and continued economic prosperity of our area. With it comes the potential for change in the areas close to the stations. In order to ensure that the proper framework to guide growth and stability in these locations is present, the City has started a detailed and comprehensive planning initiative referred to as Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS). PARTS will investigate and confirm land use, engineering and community infrastructure, streetscapes, urban design, transportation implications and, transportation demand management techniques within walking distance of the stops. PARTS does not include discussion on the merits of rapid transit or the location and design of the actual rapid transit line or stations as those are initiatives led by the Region of Waterloo who has jurisdiction over the LRT system. The Region has their own communications program regarding those matters which the City is coordinating our efforts with. PARTS Phase 1 resulted in a project plan and background report. Within this project plan (Figure 1) five corridor-wide initiatives are to be completed in advance of the PARTS Station Study Area Plans. One of these five initiatives is to develop a communications approach for conducting Station Study Area Plans as they will involve significant stakeholder engagement. 4 - 1