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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-090 - Transportation Master Plan UpdateREPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: December 10, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 PREPARED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 WARD INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: December 4, 2012 REPORT .: NOINS-12-090 SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: That Council direct staff to recommence the public consultation for the Transportation Master Plan by releasing it for public review and comments in order to provide input to the City; and further, That staff be directed to report back to a future Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting in the spring of 2013 to report on the results of the public consultation and seek final approval of the Transportation Master Plan. BACKGROUND: The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) will define and prioritize a transportation network that is supportive of al modes of travel. Options have been developed for improved walking, cycling and transit, while maintaining and improving the efficiency of trips related to the movement of people and goods, thereby reducing dependency on single occupant vehicle trips. This will be accomplished in conjunction with Regional initiatives that support intensification efforts in a sustainable manner. The Transportation Master Plan will define policy and direction for future transportation projects and planned growth and will serve as a key component of the new City Official Plan which is expected to be approved mid-2013. The draft Transportation Master Plan was tabled with the Community & Infrastructure Services Committee on June 18, 2012. At the time the intent was to proceed with public consultation and report back to the Committee for approval in the fall of 2012. However, the Committee was concerned that the adoption of the Transportation Master Plan prior to the completion of the Strasburg Road Environmental Assessment or the River Road Extension Environmental Assessment could potentially influence their outcome. ë ó ï As a result, the Committee directed staff to bring back a report in the winter of 2013. REPORT: At the time of Council’s decision to delay the completion of the Transportation Master Plan, the Strasburg Road EA was anticipated to come before Council for approval in November 2012. This would have allowed for the resumption of the TMP during the winter of 2013 for final approval by Council in the spring of 2013. However with the recently expanded scope of the Strasburg Road EA, the completion of this study will now be the fall of 2013. Likewise, the River Road Extension EA is not expected to be resolved before early 2014. The Transportation Master Plan is one of the key components of the City’s Official Plan. It will provide the basis within the Official Plan for the shift towards a more inclusive and sustainable choice of travel modes for the public. Delaying the completion of the TMP until either the Strasburg Road EA or the River Road Extension EA are completed will impact the City’s Official Plan and our ability to influence changes for developments that occur between now and its adoption. While the concern has been expressed that the TMP should wait until the Strasburg Road EA and the River Road Extension EA are completed, it must be realized that both of these EA’s are addressing a clearly identified transportation network need. As an example, if the Strasburg Road EA was not ultimately approved, the need for a road link somewhere between Huron Rd and New Dundee Rd would still be required. All future development of the Doon area is dependent on a north/south road link. The existing road network cannot accommodate the anticipated growth. If the Strasburg Road extension is not approved, another road link will need to be found. Similarly, if the River Road Extension is not approved, the demand for an alternate transportation corridor will still exist and an alternative solution will have to be found. The TMP is defining, among other things, the need for certain transportation corridors. It is not defining the exact alignment or limiting other options. The adoption of the TMP should not unduly influence the outcome of either the Strasburg Road EA or the River Road Extension EA. Any further delay of the Transportation Master Plan could impact and delay the new Official Plan. Council is requested to approve the resumption of the Transportation Master Plan with the final report to be brought back for approval in the spring of 2013. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The completion of the TMP falls under a number of strategic directions including: ë ó î • Quality of Life, in that we will work with partners, including all orders of government, to create a culture of safety in our community; • Community Engagement, in that we have consulted with numerous advisory committees and through public information centres to solicit input into the development of this TMP; • Development, in that this TMP is based on direction from both the Province and Region in relation to growth management, the recognition of key quality of life indicators and the balanced approach to replacing or expanding infrastructure; and, • Environment, in that the inclusion of the Transportation Demand Management Strategy and other efforts to reduce reliance on the single vehicle auto trips will have environmental benefits FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funding for the completion of the TMP is in place as part of the approved capital budget. The financial requirements identified for the implementation of the TMP are based on the existing approved capital budget and future projects identified in the TMP. Funding sources include the general tax levy, development charges and the parking enterprise. COMMUNICATIONS: Extensive public and agency consultation has already taken place in an attempt to gather thoughts, concerns, issues and potential outcomes as input into the development of the TMP. Further public consultation will include: Public information centre Website Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee Compass Kitchener Advisory Group Cycling Advisory Committee Mayors Advisory Council for Kitchener’s Seniors Downtown Advisory Committee Economic Development Advisory Committee Kitchener Youth Action Council Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department ë ó í