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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2016-06-16 Presentation - Sidewalk InfillSIDEWALK INFILL PROGRAM 'As Kitchener grows and concerns increase regarding the effect of air quality, climate change, traffic congestion and shortages of fuel, residents are increasingly turning to other transportation options such as walking, cycling and taking public transit." 'A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener: Strategic Plan' ALK INFILL STRATEGY )N -OUTLINE IJ 111 1, Why do we need sidewalk infill? Typical concerns Policy framework considerations • Priority ranking criteria • Brainstorming session #1— Process Considerations Brainstorming session #2 — Mitigation Measures • Q & A ALKS "Providing safe places for people to walk is an essential responsibility of all government entities involved in constructing or regulating the construction of public rights-of-way." American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials It is a basic principle that there be well-designed, safe places for people to walk along both sides of all public rights-of-way. WALK SAFEPf . IJ�m There have been 245 reported pedestrian related collisions in the City of Kitchener in the past 5 years 7 collisions were a direct result of pedestrians walking along the side of a roadway where no sidewalk was provided 11 collisions occurred as a pedestrian attempted to cross the roadway midblock on roadways without sidewalk IDEWALK INFILL? Changes to legislation (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) require communities and facilities to be accessible to all Ontarians In 2006, 14.3% (4.4 million) of Canada's population reported having some form of disability "Walking is the only mode of travel that is universally affordable, and allows children and youth, and people specific medical conditions to travel independently" - Kitchener5Pedestrian Chatter There's a greater focus on sustainable communities as Municipal, Provincial and Federal policies try to limit the continuation of urban sprawl and move towards more sustainable development IDEWALK INFILL? IJ�m "The aging population", and new legislation targeting drivers that are 80+ Population Pyramid for Canada, 2011 The Average Age of Canadians 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2606 Somcws: StafiA3(kala, cons use 3ofpopubtion,1956to2006. Females Males Barn 1916-1640: 1 UUIUIUN Parents of uurouuuauIIIII 1931 Baby Boomersoiooi00000000000i000000000000ioo 7),74 uuuuuuuumiuioioioiiiumm 1941 s1iuou011111111M .� 6P�64 1951 1946-1969: uuuuuuuiuuuiu iuvuus�iuiuiuiuiuiuiuiuiuiuiumimaumusuuiumuusiuusiuusmuuuuimiusu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu��4 iuiaosiuiui au�usuuoo�awssusuma� �musoiu 196'1 Baby Boomers uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuiouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuui aaa�aaauaaaaua���aa�aa�a��a����m,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 4Qa44 aiia�uuuaivaiuuuu iu iniu n 1971 1979-1695: oi0000m00000000000000000im000000000miooi0000000000000000000000000000000m000i uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ��°�'4 m����������������������um����������������������um�m 193'1 Children of Baby Boomers 1991 uuuu lmuuuuuuuuuuuouuouuouuouuouuouuuilimm uuuuuuuuuuvluuulvui>m 1696.2011: 1x14 iliiuiuiiuliiuliuimmiluioiuluiuiuluiuiuiI 2001 Generation 2 EMMMENIIIINEWSUIM uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuui Q.4 MIRUNIM"Imiliul"IMMUMN 2011 1,000,000 300,000 500,000 1,000,000 The Average Age of Canadians 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2606 Somcws: StafiA3(kala, cons use 3ofpopubtion,1956to2006. DEWALK INFILL? The Region of Waterloo is currently undergoing a paradigm shift in transportation services, with less focus on individual automobile use and a concentration on transit and active transportation (walking and cycling). Walkability is key to the success of an efficient public transportation system NG AND HEALTH "The design and construction of a walkable community provides the most affordable transportation system any community can plan and maintain. Walkable communities put urban environments back on a scale for the sustainability of resources (both natural and economic) and lead to increased social interaction and physical fitness, while diminishing crime and other social problems." Roseland, M., 2005 p.119 "Individuals who walked an additional kilometer per day reduced their chances of becoming obese by 5% compared to motorists driving an additional hour who are 6% more likely to become obese" Frank, L., Andresen, M., & Schid, T. (2004). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity and time spent in cars. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 27(2), 87-89. NG TO CO I��.�� In 2006 nearly 40,000 residents in the Kitchener Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) traveled less than 5 km on their commute. Commutes of less than 5 km's can easily be achieved by cycling or walking. M v E 25,99 E 29,99 �J Less than 5 kris 5 to 9,9 kirii 19 to 14.9 km 15 to 249 kiT 25 km or more Source: Statistics Canaria, Census 2006 Between 2001 and 2006 sustainable modes of transportation saw a notable rate of growth, and while walking as the choice of commute remained constant at 5%, the use of public transportation also requires walking at the beginning and end of every trip, therefore a minimum of 10% of commutes (23,000 trips) within Waterloo Region in 2006 involved walking, Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006 ourhood Turnover According to the National Association of Home Builders the typical buyer of a single-family home can be expected to stay in the home approximately 13 years before moving out. K? I 911 ; I 9 9'!' 21[" 1, 200l1 2f.Iro'� "'h'o7 lV1F� 2"U6 Research by the Nationa/Association of Realtors indicates that millennials own fewer cars and drive less than their predecessors. They'd rather walk, bike, car -share, and use public transportation — and want to live where that's all easy. So as neighbouhoods undergo a generational transition, the transportation needs change significantly 4 L CONCERNS IJ do one will use it, While there may be no immediate need for the sidewalk as a transportation facility and connection to a defined feature, it will still ultimately be used for recreational walking, general accessibility and increase overall pedestrian safety, do one with a disability lives in this neighborhood. Even if that's true at the moment, what about visitors, the aging population, turnover in the neighbourhood, etc.? • The street isso quiet that pedestrians can just walk in the road. While some feel safe walking on the roadway, sidewalks provide a safe walking environment that can be used by people of all ages and abilities. Additionally, in wintery months, it is generally unsafe to walk on the roadway due to a narrowed roadway and potentially icy surface. Adaptedhan: www,pedestdam.org/retrofit 4 L CONCERNS IJ #Trees will be cutdown. Sidewalks can be designed where possible to avoid trees. There are materials and techniques that can be used in construction to mitigate this damage (rubberized sidewalks). However, sometimes trees may have to be removed to install sidewalks, and mitigation measures/ replacement programs should be established to take this into consideration. dt will ruin property values Studies of trails and sidewalks throughout North America indicate minimal to no effect on property values. However, studies have also shown that neighbourhoods that are more walkable tend to have higher property values than similar neighbourhoods that are less so. dt will impact my front lawn snd/orparking. In most cases, it is municipal lands that are being used for the sidewalk. While many homeowners do not realize where their property line actually is, we work with the homeowners to minimize impacts. Adapted from: www. pedestrians. org/retrofit L CONCERNS • lax dollars could be better spent on other things. Sidewalks are an integral part of the transportation network and a necessary cost. A reduction in vehicle trips as a result of sidewalks reduces overall vehicle costs to constituents and can also reduce health care costs #1 will ha ve to sho vel sno w. The most difficult part of snow removal is where snowplows deposit packed snow and ice on the sidewalk. This can be reduced with good street design, and one of the primary reasons that curb face sidewalk should be avoided if possible. However, the more snow there is, the more dangerous it is for pedestrians to share the roadways with traffic, increasing the importance of sidewalks Adapted from; www,pedestrians.org/retrofit L CONCERNS •It will destroy my landscaping. If the landscaping is in the public right of way, shrubbery should be transplanted or replanted with a sufficient setback from the sidewalk to minimize maintenance needs. Landscaping can even be designed to complement a sidewalk. Landscaping should not be a barrier for a safe place to walk Adapted from: www.pedestrians.org/retrofit FRAMEWORK Current City policies that support sidewalk installation; Pedestrian Charter • A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener. Strategic Plan City of Kitchener Development Manual Council Policy I-1120 — Road allowance widths and sidewalk locations in new subdivisions Kitchener Transportation Master Plan Kitchener Transportation Demand Management Plan The City of Kitchener Official Plan Because there is a lack of clear direction within policies and criteria that govern sidewalk infill, there's a disconnect between the mandate of the City of Kitchener's existing policies and the retrofit of sidewalks through reconstruction/rehabilitation programs. NSIDERATIONS In order to facilitate the reconstruction of sidewalk infill, and address residential concerns, it is necessary to formalize an infill policy and prioritize accordingly based on an assortment of factors. Key considerations for policy: How to prioritize the infill sidewalks Budget constraints Resident notification/input Should exemptions be granted, and if so ... where Key considerations forprioritization,; Proximity to Transit Proximity to Schools Proximity to major destinations Roadway volume and relative pedestrian comfort iori Ranking Criteria SIDEWALK INFILL CRITERIA TRANSIT MAX within 800m of the proposed multi modal hub and station areas on an existing or future bus route max total 25 MAJOR DESTINATION Within 800m of the downtown within 800m of a major employer. within 400m of a mixed use corridor max total 25 SCHOOLS within 800m of a high school Within 1.6km of a high school within 3,2km of a high school within 800m of an elementaryschool within 800m of a postsecondary school max total 25 ROADWAY VOLUME under 2000vpd 2001.5000vpd 5001.8000vpd greater tha n 8000vpd max total 10 OTHER FACTORS within 400m of a commercial zone within 400m of a community programs facility or park completion of a link along the same roadway within 400m of a special needs facility within 400m of a place of worship max total 15 OVERALL 100 Note; distances are measured by a linear walking distance rather than a radius to be more reflective of actual walking conditions CONSIDERATIONS There is no defined process for the infill of sidewalks, either through a prioritized ranking or reconstruction. Because of concerns that are typically voiced from Council and constituents, this process should be identified and formalized. BRAINSTORMING SESSION #1- PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS (15 MIN) TION In order to make the infill of sidewalk more acceptable to the directly affected residents, mitigation measures should be considered. BRAINSTORMING SESSION #2 -MITIGATION MEASURES (15 min) 4 TEP IJ�m Public Input Mid September Present similar presentation to stakeholders group Conduct an online survey Host a public meeting at City Hall Draft Policy —::: October Collate all comments and present to working group Establish policy with working group Circulate draft to interested parties Report to Committee January 2015 Council January 2015 QUESTIONS?