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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-25 GRAACGrand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Dawn Clelland (Co -Chair), Heather Clark -Harris, Rob Bender, Andrena Lockley -Brown, Brenda Robinson (Co -Chair), Berny Wesselink, Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Carrie Speers, Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Tamara Bell, Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Teresa McQuillin, Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo),Trevor Tamlin Regrets: Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Mamie Sealey -Baker, Brad Sayles 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of February Minutes and March Agenda A change to the agenda has Region of Waterloo MUT's going first and then City of Waterloo Roger Street Park will be second. Next meeting date is in correct and should be April 22, 2021. Paula motioned to accept March agenda. Donna seconded. All in favour. Berny motioned to accept February minutes; Andrena seconded. All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. Region of Waterloo, MUTs (Multi Use Trails), presentation by Bob Henderson. Ownership and Responsibility • All MUTs are owned and maintained by cities and townships • Exception — Spur Line MUT Legislation • Traffic and Parking By-law regulates who can use MUT • Presently, all motorized vehicles, including a -bikes are not permitted on MUT • Pedestrians and cyclists are permitted to share the trail • Consideration to permit e -scooters. • Public survey underway. Questions 1. Are there any plans for multi -use trails that are separated from pedestrians, lowering safety concerns for all people? What would be our next step to encourage making these our new standard? Where possible and space permits, the Region would consider separate cycling and pedestrian facilities. Examples would include cycle tracks, separated bike lanes being piloted now. 2. If space limitations require the Two -Way in Boulevard Shared Use Facility is shared, is it possible bicyclist direction is one way (direction of traffic) and pedestrians would travel opposite the direction of traffic? This would also ensure the safety of the bicyclist who may be entering an intersection going the opposite way of traffic as this would not be happening. Given all the various computations of cycling and pedestrian origin/destinations, the practicality of this design has several problems including the ability to get to a destination, compliance etc. 3. Do current multi -use trails that are replacing sidewalks have specific guidelines to ensure there is a recognizable edge, for people using canes, to travel along so they know where the edge of the trail is? Like sidewalks, the edge of a multi -use trail typically meets a grass boulevard for detection. 4. Is it possible to install an identifiable, consistent way finding material whenever the multi -use trail meets the asphalt parking lots, in urban areas? The Region in agreement with area municipalities has agreed to installing mixed cross -rides which advise entering and exiting motorists that there is a trail and to expect users on the trail. 5. If the pedestrian must stop due to accessibility issues or disembarks from a bus, how do they avoid getting hit by a bike? The Region where possible attempts to construct the multi -use trail in a manner that eliminates conflict by re-routing the multi -use trail around and behind a bus stop. 6. Is it possible to develop a more comprehensible rules or guidance package and appropriate signage to help people to understand signage as related to it? This would help both pedestrian and bicyclist to understand the situation and how best to maneuver the system. The Region and area municipalities have agreed to incorporate signage guidelines as outlined in OTM Book 18 cycling facilities. I am not aware of any AODA signage regulations, however if there are regulations, please direct me to them and I would certainly be willing to review and implement. 7. Under the current two-way bicycle traffic, how can we support people with hearing, cognitive or hearing issues from being startled by bicyclist using their bells to advise their approach from behind? Would it be appropriate for pedestrians to be encouraged to walk against the way that the bicycle is travelling? Given the all the possible active travel origin/destination patterns, incorporating this model in practicality presents several issues including compliance. 8. With the new cross rides, as people cross the street, those riding bicycles will be closer to those who are walking. For those with cognitive issues or low or no vision, this can be very confusing and dangerous, at the time when they need to be most focused. It is a well-known fact that pedestrians who are blind veer approximately 5 degrees, when there is no tactile indicator to guide them. How do we keep both the pedestrian, with low or no sight and the bicyclist who would need to swerve to avoid them, safe? Prior to cross rides being adopted in Waterloo Region, pedestrians and cyclists would share a singular crosswalk. Now that cross rides define exclusive pathways for both pedestrians and cyclists, conflict is mitigated when compared to crosswalks which cyclists and pedestrians used to share. 9. When the pedestrian must wait at a median, with traffic behind and in front of them, how would sharing a bike on that median impact the person with an exceptionality? With all transportation facilities, there is an expectation that road users respect one another and share space appropriately. 10. Do you include standard vertical clearances in your designs? Some have been 8 ft. Design staff follow OTM Book 18 clearance guidelines which is 2.5m. Comments/Feedback A bylaw might need to be put into place regarding tree clearance along the MUT. Cyclist's directions on the MUT and the need to go in two directions. If no MUT, they would be on the road and they would have been on each side of the road going with traffic. Sometimes a MUT can only be built on one side of the road. • Clarification on E scooters and motorized vehicles as on City of Kitchener roads if it has a pedal it may be on the MUT however, on regional roads that is not the case. • Two motorized cars shown in the slides on the trail were snow maintenance vehicles. • The Region of Waterloo puts in the MUT but does not have jurisdiction over them that would be the responsibility of the municipality. Bob to clarify and bring back to the group. • To be clear the MUT's in question are in place of sidewalks not a trail in the middle of the woods or forest. These ae strictly sidewalks to get you from point A to point B. • Snow clearing standards on MUT? Snow clearing falls to the municipalities and must follow minimum maintenance standards. • No tactile strips and everything is visual so if you are visually impaired there is nothing to differentiate between spaces. Definite safety concerns. Bob is happy to take the suggestions back to the design group. • Municipality would plough MUT and sidewalks but not those that are front plotted in front of a residential home. 5. City of Waterloo, Roger Street Park, Daniel Waters Rogers Street Park will include: • A feature sign • Directional signage • A 2.2m wide asphalt pathway sloped less than 3% • A playground • Benches with space beside • Bicycle parking • Fencing • Shade trees • Perennial planting The pathway through the Roger Street Park will connect to the following spaces sequentially: • Spur Line Common Development • Parkview Cemetery • King Street and Grand River Hospital LRT Station Questions/Feedback • Thought should be given to the direction/space of the bike parking to ensure there's enough space for mobility devices like large accessible bike trailers so that they don't block the pathway/trail. • What are you going to use for playground ground cover, mulch is not ideal and rubberized is preferred? Mulch is used for smaller parks to meet budget restrictions. • Larger parks such as Waterloo park will be installing rubberized surfacing to playground areas. • Discussion regarding legislation. Every five years the Design of Public spaces standards comes up for review, so there is an opportunity to ask for change. Does not specify rubberized in the standards right now, only hard surfaces. • GRAAC's Playground position paper has been shared with City staff. • GRAAC may review it's Playground position paper and wording changed to only rubberized surfaces. • No proposed edging only grass on the sides of the trail. Tactile indicator strips and a sign posted to include braille would be ideal. Break (15 mins) 6. Built Environment Sub Committee Updates, Paula Saunders Audits at the ION stations, walk through with University of Waterloo students at the Fairway station. A few GRAAC members participated in these 1-1 visits. Lolita and Paula had a meeting with City of Kitchener staff regarding pop up patios to look over plans and making sure there was still sidewalk clearance, no planters etc. interfering with sidewalk. No step up to get on patio. Will they be consistent when they are built? It will be consistent, and the ramp will be a part of the pop-up patio. Pop up patios are removeable and useable in different locations. Built closest to the road with accessible opening closest to the sidewalk. Meeting with Kiwanis Park regarding temporary accessible parking for the 2021 season — Due to the COVID restrictions Kiwanis is looking at having people register a spot like what other pools have done last season. Looking at having three swims a day with 125 people per swim. This means one entry/exit point. The entry/exit point will be closest to the new payment shack located inside the swim area. Closest parking is on the grass and temporary spots closest to the entry point will be designated accessible, along with keeping the current accessible spots that are on pavement. Signage will be posted to notify and direct the users. With the minimal traffic allowed per swim times, this should be doable for a temporary solution. Paula and Lolita to help Kiwanis staff with signage wording as needed. 7. Committee Updates City of Kitchener, Mayor's Task Force, Brenda Robinson All the work pertaining to staff training has been done. Supervisor will be hired this month. Region of Waterloo, Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC), Dawn Clelland The Active Transportation trails directory was shared with the members via email, and the committee is encouraged to look over and share any feedback. Comments/Feedback Has the information been shared with the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory committee? The information has not been shared with this group yet but Dawn will communicate with the group all the information. 8. Councillor Reports Councillor Sue Foxton, Region of Waterloo • No report Councillor Debbie Chapman, City of Kitchener • Senior of the year nominations are due March 31 • State of the Union Address can be found here: State of the City - City of Kitchener • Art Exhibit installed in downtown Kitchener that includes murals and photos 9. Co-chair/Staff Reports, Dawn Clelland, Staff Reps Tracy Murray, Township of Wilmot • Website using Browse Allowed is it still needed? • What is the plan for accessibility on the website if it is taken away? • Tracy to send website link to the committee for ideas • Transcription of council meetings must be cancelled, could You Tube to be used for transcription instead? • PDF is not accessible • Linking must be succinct • Must be able to access with MAC and PC Jeff Smith, Township of Woolwich • Kate's Cause ran into some issues with utility issues and $50,000 approved by council to keep the project moving Amy Harron, Township of Wellesley • New recreational centre set for the township of Wellesley, staff will be attending a committee meeting to do a presentation in the fall of 2021 Dawn Clelland, Co -Chair • As a group we should get together for Ideas on the position paper for the MUTs • Corner of Ottawa and Weber road repairs have impeded accessibility. How can we ensure accessibility features are returned once construction repairs are done and road is open again or in the middle of repairs? • Position paper needed on when sidewalks are closed, and they are no longer accessible? Maybe an education piece, don't know what the solution is? • Include as part of RFP that all construction projects must include safety for all pedestrian traffic. Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzieCa)kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting — Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 1:30pm, ZOOM