HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-150 - Planning Around Rapid Transit StationsStaff Report
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REPORT TO:
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WARD(S) INVOLVED:
DATE OF REPORT:
REPORT NO.:
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDATION:
For information.
Council
November 19, 2012
Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
(741-2648)
All
November 14, 2012
CSD-12-150
Council Strategy Session
Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations and Related Projects
BACKGROUND:
An information presentation regarding rapid transit related projects, including an upcoming City-led
Corporate project, will be provided at the November 19th, 2012 Council Strategy Session.
REPORT:
Region-led Rapid Transit Related Projects
A significant amount of effort is underway through the Region of Waterloo, area municipalities and other
agencies and stakeholders to move forward with the construction of rapid transit in our community. The
rapid transit project will generally include a light rail line, adapted bus routes, stations/stops and amulti-
modal "hub" to link Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge (and beyond). The Region is leading the design
and preparatory work which includes engineering-related projects, planning-related projects, procurement
and community engagement. The adapted bus service is likely to begin within the next few years with
construction of the first phase of light rail to be completed by 2017.
One of the main reasons for the November 19th Council Strategy Session is to provide another forum for
information sharing and dialogue about a number of rapid transit-related initiatives that the Region is
currently leading. Another reason is to provide a "heads up" of a Region-led project, the `Central Transit
Corridor Community Building Strategy', which will be coming to the attention of the public, Region Council
and Local Councils in January-March 2013.
City-led Rapid Transit Related Project
Rapid transit will significantly change how our community grows and evolves. We are already
experiencing it now in the downtown, in some of our corridors and in areas near the route. Having an
additional mode of transportation available will shape our community for 10, 20, 50+ years.
We must act now to realize the full benefits that rapid transit could bring to our community and to further
understand the impacts that growth may have on our infrastructure, our neighbourhoods and our financial
position. In fact, the Province and Region require us to do so. At the beginning of 2013, a portion of the
Region-led planning work will be complete. This will essentially be the "hand-off' for the local
municipalities to prepare detailed plans for all of the land, streets and infrastructure related to a 10-minute
walk (about 800m) around every rapid transit station.
This will be a significant corporate endeavour. The City's Planning Division is intending to the lead the
project; however, the project components and results will affect and involve the majority of business units
ib)-1
within the Corporation. The project is completing the "initiation" stage and now requires a "project plan"
(Phase 1). The project is going through the Corporate Business Planning process with the assistance of
the Integrated Centre of Planning Excellence.
The City-led project, currently titled Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS), is needed in order
to confirm what could develop/happen in the areas around the stations, to protect our stable
neighbourhoods, improve our streetscapes and further understand the implications to infrastructure
(engineering and community). We need to ensure that these areas are developed in a way that is
desirable. Proactive planning will allow for the appropriate delivery of infrastructure and a better
understanding of longer-term operating implications. Decisions we make now could put the City in a
better position to respond to and capitalize on the changes that rapid transit will bring to our community.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The City-led project will align with, and contribute to, all of the "Community Priorities" in the City's
Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Phase 1 of the City-led project (Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations) will not require any new or
additional capital budget requests. Any potential costs for Phase 1 are reserved within the Planning
Studies account and will be completed primarily "in-house". There will be impacts to staff resources and
this is to be addressed through the Corporate Business Planning process.
The completion of Phase 1 will result in more detailed work plans for Phase 2 (individual station plans)
and this will include confirmation of financial implications. Implementation of the results of Phase 2 may
have implications to future capital and operating budget processes (including development charges,
infrastructure timing, possible incentives, etc.).
Any financial implications directly related to the construction of the rapid transit system are not the subject
of this report or presentation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT:
The Region is undertaking a relatively extensive community and stakeholder engagement process
through their `Community Building Strategy'. The City-led project will include a significant amount of
engagement, especially during Phase 2 (individual station plans). A Communications Strategy is currently
being prepared for this project.
CONCLUSION:
Information and discussion about Region-led rapid transit projects and the upcoming City-led rapid transit
related Corporate project is to be provided at the November 19th, 2012 Council Strategy Session.
REVIEWED BY:
Garett Stevenson, Senior Planner
Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner
Heather Holbrook, Senior Planner (Urban Design)
Sarah Coutu, Policy Analyst
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO
Community Services
Attachment: Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) Handout
(Note: presentation to be provided at the meeting)
ib)-2
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