HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-14-089 - Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations - PARTS - Phase 2: Transportation Demand Management Strategy Staff Report
I rTC'.�► t .R Community Services Department wmkitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 8, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Justin Readman, Director of Transportation Services
Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Josh Joseph, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
519-741-2200 x 7152
Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
519-741-2200 x7648
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 3, 9 and 10
DATE OF REPORT: August 11, 2014
REPORT NO.: CSD-14-089
SUBJECT: PLANNING AROUND RAPID TRANSIT STATIONS (PARTS)
PHASE 2:
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
RECOMMENDATION:
That the "Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) Phase 2 Transportation
Demand Management (TDM) Strategy" attached as Appendix A to Report CSD-14-089 be
approved to establish TDM strategies for the Central Transit Corridor and rapid transit
Station Study Areas in Kitchener.
BACKGROUND:
The Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) project was introduced to Council through
report CSD-12-150 at the November 12, 2012 Council Strategy Session. PARTS Phase 1
concluded in December 2013 with report CSD-13-104 wherein Council endorsed that staff
proceed with PARTS Phase 2 and Station Study Area Plans. This report pertains to one of the
five corridor-wide initiatives outlined for Phase 2, the Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) Strategy.
REPORT:
Higher order transit, including Light Rail Transit (LRT), has the potential to be a major factor in
the long-term growth and continued economic prosperity of our area. With it comes the potential
for change in the areas close to the stations. In order to ensure the proper framework to guide
growth and ensure stability in these locations, the City has started a detailed and
comprehensive planning initiative referred to as the Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations
(PARTS) project. The PARTS Phase 1: Project Plan and Background Report identified five
corridor-wide initiatives to be completed in advance of starting the first Station Study Area Plan.
This report is related to the fifth corridor-wide initiative: Transportation Demand Management.
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Figure 1: Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) Project Plan
Phase 11: Project Plan and Background Report
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Phase 2,: Corridor-wide Initiatives -20,14
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Within the Central Transit Corridor and around the rapid transit stations (referred to as Station
Study Areas for the PARTS project) there are many opportunities to foster the growth of healthy
communities through transportation demand management initiatives. The City of Kitchener is
moving forward with the PARTS project to help guide development proposals and future capital
projects in these areas. This Transportation Demand Management Strategy will provide
important actions for the preparation of the specific plans for each area and it will also provide
the City with immediate directions for implementation. The PARTS TDM Strategy would apply to
the entire Study Area (including Downtown, Focus and Influence Areas and Sportsworld).
PARTS Transportation Demand Management Strategy
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a wide range of policies, programs, services and
products that influence how, when, where and why people and goods are moved. TDM
programs and strategies are meant to encourage greater use of sustainable modes of
transportation and trip decision making that reduces, combines or shortens vehicle trips. It is
critically important to consider TDM measures as part of a major transportation initiative, such
as the advent of rapid transit, and in the early stages of new development. A Strategy for the
Central Transit Corridor/PARTS area is a key component to influence trip choice when travelling
to, from and within Kitchener.
Process
An internal working group comprised of staff with backgrounds in planning policy, development
review, transportation and transportation demand management undertook this initiative with the
assistance of one of the lead firms in this discipline, Steer Davies Gleave (SDG).
The process involved research of TDM best practices, review and discussion of guiding
documents such as Master Plans and related studies, a collaborative Agency Workshop with
municipal representatives and sustainable mobility partners (i.e. Travelwise), an industry
information session, public drop-in session and preparation of the strategy document and
related checklist.
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Primary Objectives
The PARTS TDM Strategy builds on the City's overall Transportation Master Plan, TDM Plan
and other policy documents such as the new Official Plan and the Region's Active
Transportation Plan. The following are the main objectives of the strategy:
1. Reduce the use of single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) travel and increase the modal split of
sustainable transportation options.
2. Support active and sustainable modes of transportation and within Station Study Areas.
Integrate associated infrastructure with the rapid transit network.
3. Reduce the need for parking within Station Study Areas and make efficient use of existing
parking facilities.
4. Provide leadership and expertise to employers and property managers within Station Areas
to encourage them to develop TDM programs.
5. Improve the quality of life of Kitchener residents and employees by providing greater
transportation choice.
6. Communicate the need and benefits of TDM to developers, property managers, employers
and the public.
7. Measure the performance and implementation of TDM actions and identify opportunities for
improvement over time.
Highlights
The Strategy includes some exciting new directions and support for improving transportation
options, shaping vibrant urban places and creating a more healthy community. This could be
another marquee action-oriented document that Kitchener wherein could be viewed as an
emerging leader. Some of the highlights of the PARTS TDM Strategy include:
• The exploration of secure bicycle parking rates, pedestrian facilities, transit waiting
areas, carsharing, teleworking options, parking and other initiatives;
• An automated City of Kitchener-specific TDM Checklist, as refined from the Region of
Waterloo's initial TDM Checklist and Parking Management worksheet, which will be
utilized for development applications in the PARTS area (and provides a potential
framework for other future considerations such as "bonusing");
• Charts that indicate appropriate bike parking, shared parking and other considerations
for the Zoning By-law and future, supplementary design standards;
• A further list of responsibilities and initiatives for TDM staff to prioritize, expand and
continue to engrain within our community and culture;
• An indication of several next steps such as moving forward with considering
amendments to the cash-in-lieu of parking policy; and
• The necessary TDM components needed to prepare the individual PARTS Station Study
Area Plans and associated Secondary Plans, zoning, design standards, etc.
Recommended directives/actions are identified for various "themes" of TDM such as active
transportation, transit and commuting strategies. The actions are then summarized according to
the potential implementation tools such as zoning, design manual, development process, etc. A
monitoring and performance measurement framework is included for the implementation (and
continued evolution) of the recommended TDM initiatives. The Strategy also provides several
appendices of background information and supporting policies along with the updated TDM
Checklist and a helpful reference guide for the checklist and associated report as an
improvement for the development process.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The TDM initiatives outlined in this report align with many elements of the City of Kitchener's
Strategic Plan, including:
• Leadership and Engagement: The City of Kitchener is taking an active leadership role
by investing in TDM and engaging the public to better understand how to encourage
development to be supportive of alternative modes of transportation.
• Quality of Life: Promoting and encouraging TDM will lead to an improvement in quality
of life through reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and providing residents
with more travel choice, including active transportation.
• Environment: Cycling, pedestrian flow, transit and commuting strategies such as
rideshare and telework programs are sustainable and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
compared to single-occupancy vehicles. By supporting TDM, the City of Kitchener is
taking an active role in becoming more environmentally friendly.
• Diversity: The City of Kitchener is committed to providing residents with equitable
access to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of civic life. TDM provides current and
future residents of Kitchener with alternative, affordable and accessible means of
transportation.
• Development: The Strategic Plan specifically mentions supporting transportation
alternatives and developing communities that are safe and connected. TDM is a
sustainable transportation alternative that complements and supports people-friendly
development.
• Dynamic Downtown: The City of Kitchener's vision for a vital and lively Downtown will
rely on more residents traveling by foot, bicycle, or public transportation.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
No new or additional capital budget requests are expected with this recommendation. The
PARTS TDM Strategy includes an action item that `the City should undertake a process to
further prioritize and consider the financial implications of any recommended action that are to
be led and implemented by the City.' Any directives that require funding beyond existing
budgets, timelines or require additional resources would be subject to future budget processes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM and CONSULT — This staff report and the PARTS TDM Strategy were posted on the
PARTS website and the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee
meeting. The PARTS TDM Strategy was strongly guided by stakeholder and community input
through consultation with the Cycling Advisory Committee, regional and municipal
representatives, development industry stakeholders, and members of the public.
On June 26, 2014 City staff held an information session for members of the development
industry, special interest groups and local stakeholders in the PARTS study area. Copies of the
draft materials for the TDM Strategy were circulated for review and comment and made
available on the City's PARTS website. Additionally, an update email was sent to the Waterloo
Region Home Builders' Association (WRHBA) Liaison Committee in July advising of the
availability of the draft PARTS TDM Strategy and the September 8th Committee meeting.
Development industry representatives were generally supportive of the TDM Strategy, including
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the implications of the TDM Checklist, as it provides a more "Kitchener-specific" approach to
consider parking reductions in appropriate circumstances.
On August 6, 2014 the PARTS project team facilitated a public drop-in information session to
provide information about the Strategy to the Public, and to provide an opportunity for dialog.
The Draft PARTS TDM Strategy was made publically available prior to, and at the information
session.
Comments or questions received from each of these engagement opportunities are highlighted,
and pertain to the flowing aspects of the Strategy:
• The relationship between the City's TDM Report and Region's TDM Checklist and
Parking Management Worksheet;
• Research that contributed to preparation of the TDM Checklist;
• Applications of the TDM Report;
• Infrastructure, active transportation and public transit networks; and
• Motorized and bicycle parking requirements.
Staff confirms that the feedback and comments received from all engagement opportunities
were considered in the preparation and direction for this TDM Strategy, and further clarifications
were added to the final version. Additional dialogue will continue through the WRHBA Liaison
Committee and other industry forums regarding the "roll-out" of improvements to the
development process.
CONCLUSION:
Ultimately, the City must balance growth with environmental sustainability, an effective
transportation network, fiscal responsibility and healthy communities. To do so, the time is now
for the City to move forward with implementing TDM Strategies that can encourage more people
to choose healthy and sustainable transportation options. The PARTS TDM Strategy provides
the necessary direction to prepare individual Station Study Area Plans and to the development
industry with respect to an appropriate and transparent process for TDM initiatives.
REVIEWED BY: Sarah Coutu, Policy Analyst, Long Range and Policy Planning
Andrew Pinnell, Planner, Development Review
Lauren Nelson, Transportation Demand Management Student
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Kim Kugler, Acting Deputy CAO (Community Services)
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO (Infrastructure Services)
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix "A" — Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) Transportation Demand
Management Strategy (see http://www.ktchener.ca/en/livinginkitc ener/PARTS-Phase-2.as
and scroll down to TDM)
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