HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-080 - Westheights Drive Traffic Calming Follow-upStaff Rport
I r rc'.� ► t .R Infrastructure Services Department wmkitchener.ca
REPORT TO:
City Council
DATE OF MEETING:
September 14, 2015
SUBMITTED BY:
Justin Readman, Director of Transportation Services,
519- 741 -2200, ext. 7038
PREPARED BY:
Jeff Kolnick, Traffic Technologist, 519 - 741 -2200, ext. 7152
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Ward 7
DATE OF REPORT:
September 9, 2015
REPORT NO.:
INS -15 -080
SUBJECT:
Westheights Drive — Traffic Calming Review Follow -Up
RECOMMENDATION:
That an intersection narrowing be constructed at Westheights Drive's eastern
intersection with Driftwood Drive;
That the four concrete islands, two at Westheights and McGarry and two at
Westheights and Queens Boulevard be removed and replaced with oversize stop
signs within the boulevard;
That Westheights Drive's four -lane cross - section be reconfigured to the
following:
• A 2.2 metre parking lane
• A 0.5 metre buffer
• A 1.5 metre bike lane
• Two (2) 3.1 metre travel lanes
• A 1.5 metre bike lane
• A 0.5 metre buffer
• A 2.2 metre parking lane,
That on- street parking areas be defined through on -road pavement markings; and
further,
That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly.
* ** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. * **
Please call 519- 741 -2345 or TTY 1- 866 - 969 -9994 for assistance.
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BACKGROUND:
Report INS -15 -061 went to Council on August 24, 2015. At that time, Council decided to defer
its final decision to the following Council meeting on September 14, 2015, pending staff changes
in response to public concerns. The primary concerns with the initial proposal were the loss of
parking and potential issues with winter maintenance and driveway access.
REPORT:
At the August 24, 2015 Council meeting delegates spoke against the loss of parking included in
the plan for Westheights Drive and presented a petition to this effect. Upon further consultation,
a plan, which retained most of the parking that is currently available, appeared to be acceptable
to those in attendance. In response, Transportation Services is proposing a new design which
maintains the majority of the existing parking on Westheights Drive while still meeting the
requirements of the Cycling Master Plan.
At the August 10, 2015, Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting, delegates
spoke with concerns about the efficacy of winter maintenance around the proposed pedestrian
refuge islands, as well as challenges with driveway access as a result of them. Subsequently,
Transportation Services staff met with affected residents on -site and agreed to remove the
pedestrian refuge islands from the proposed design.
Additionally, with direction from the August 10, 2015, Community and Infrastructure Services
Committee, Transportation Services staff is proposing the removal of a total of four (4) concrete
centre medians. Two (2) are located at each of Westheights Drive's intersection with McGarry
Drive and Queen's Boulevard.
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." By working with the
neighbourhood, traffic volumes, speeds and heavy truck route concerns have been addressed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost to install the signs, pavement markings and traffic calming measures is approximately
$90,000. This cost will be taken from the existing traffic calming and cycling budgets.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
This project has had extensive public involvement and communication, including two (2) public
meetings, as well as a door -to -door direct resident contact. A letter outlining the revised design
and notification of the intent to present the revised design at the September 14th Council
meeting was circulated to citizens along Westheights Drive on September 4th, 2015.
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT — The neighbourhood has been consulted through two public information centres,
two information packages and an initiation survey. Further, residents were engaged door -to-
door to have individual concerns addressed on -site. Additionally, residents' concerns were
heard at Committee and Council meetings, and specific issues were addressed with residents at
the relevant locations and follow up letters
8.a. - 2
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
Attach:
Appendix A - Proposed pavement marking design
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