HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-14-067 - Sidewalk Infill Policy
REPORT TO: Council
DATE OF MEETING: June 16, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Justin Readman, Director of Transportation Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7038
PREPARED BY: Barry Cronkite, Transportation Planning Project
Manager, 519-741-2200 ext. 7738
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: June 11, 2014
REPORT NO.: INS-14-067
SUBJECT: Sidewalk infill policy
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RECOMMENDATION:
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
BACKGROUND:
The most significant challenge with respect to any sidewalk infill project is obtaining
endorsement by residents and Committee/Council. Many residential stakeholders are strongly
opposed to sidewalk infill projects that directly affect them, and are typically vocal in their
concerns. Research suggests that this is a common thread throughout most municipalities when
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dealing with sidewalk infill and not unique to Kitchener
REPORT:
The primary goal of this strategy session is to engage in dialogue with Council around the
development of a policy and process to improve the sidewalk infill process. A number of
concerns have specifically been identified with the process in which these projects are
conducted. Accordingly staff would like to discuss issues such as:
• Public engagement
• How and when infill projects require Council approval
• Who should be circulated information and when
In order to resolve the majority of the typical concerns that question the timing of sidewalk infill,
staff have updated the priority ranking criteria. There is existing priority ranking criteria which
was established in 2004, however, due to changes in culture and sustainable mobility, the
criteria is no longer entirely relevant to today’s transportation environment.
It is also the intent of staff to use technical data and information gathered through Council and
the public to develop a sidewalk infill policy. This policy will be most useful for standalone
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projects as it helps target priority areas for sidewalk infill first (i.e. the development of an annual
sidewalk infill list). Instances where sidewalks are being constructed as part of an overall
reconstruction project can be more challenging as these locations may not contain many of the
features that would rank them higher in priority for infill, leading to some skepticism with respect
to the need for the sidewalk. However, the lack of inclusion of sidewalks may result in a missed
opportunity that will not reoccur for another 50 to 100 years. Additionally, approved policies
provide strong language for the inclusion of sidewalks on both sides of the street in all parts of
the City.
The inclusion of sidewalks on both sides of streets should be a given, unless there are
significant constraints that cannot be overcome. The pedestrian charter and current
development standards require sidewalks within all new subdivisions and it is generally good
practice to install sidewalks on both sides of roadways when developing sustainable and
resilient transportation networks and communities. Staff also recognize that formal mitigation
measures should be in place as a toolbox for both staff and Council when facilitate sidewalk
infill. Accordingly, staff would also like to engage Council on mitigation measures including, but
not limited to:
• Proactive education
• Solutions to typical parking, landscaping and maintenance concerns
• Materials selection and location
• Additional Public involvement
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This initiative falls under the Community Priority of Quality of Life. “Work with partners, including
all orders of government, to create a culture of safety in our community.”
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
It is anticipated that the annual budget will allocate resources for the infill of sidewalk. In the
past, the annual budget contained approximately $165, 000 for sidewalk infill.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
It is the intent of staff to engage social media and host a series of meetings with the public and
affected stakeholders regarding the sidewalk infill policy, process and mitigation measures.
Sidewalk infill, when executed, should involve extensive public involvement and communication.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Attachments: Sidewalk infill presentation
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