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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-085 - Sidewalk Infill - 2016 Reconstruction Projects REPORT TO: Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING: November 2, 2015 SUBMITTED BY: Steve Allen, Acting Director of Engineering, 519-741-2200 x7584 PREPARED BY: Steve Allen, Manager, Engineering Des. & App., 519-741-2200 x7584 Barry Cronkite, Transportation Planning Project Manager, Transportation Services x7738 WARD(S) INVOLVED: 8,9,10 DATE OF REPORT: October 22, 2015 REPORT NO.: INS-15-085 SUBJECT:Sidewalk Infill - 2016 Projects RECOMMENDATION: That the following streets be approved for sidewalk infill as per the Sidewalk Infill Policy INS-15-051 approved by Council June 1, 2015; Vista Crescent Lakeside Drive Glendale Avenue Pandora Avenue Woodland Avenue Russell Street Breithaupt Street BACKGROUND: On June 1, 2015 council approved the Sidewalk Infill Policy INS-15-051. The Policy defines the framework around the installation of new sidewalk in locations where sidewalk currently does not exist, otherwise known as sidewalk infill. Generally speaking, the policy confirms the City’s commitment to an improved sidewalk network on existing roadways to support a more pedestrian friendly environment. It also defines priority levels for sidewalk infill locations and provides a framework for community and council input on any proposed installations. The policy requires council approval for most sidewalk infill locations. This report outlines the locations of sidewalk that are recommended to be built in conjunction with *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2 - 1 upcoming road reconstruction projects, and provides recommendations for the application of the policy in these areas. The Sidewalk Infill Policy stipulates that any areas of planned sidewalk infill must be presented to council for approval at least one year in advance of implementation. It should be noted that since the policy was approved in June 2015, projects that have sidewalk infill for 2016 will not meet this requirement. This is a result of applying the policy to projects that were already underway when the policy was approved. Future projects with sidewalk infill (2017 construction year and later) will fully meet the one- year requirement under the policy. In accordance with a Council resolution, the CAO has been delegated authority to approve tenders for road reconstruction projects with Council-approved sidewalk infill, provided the total costs are within the approved budget. This report does not address all of the upcoming 2016 sidewalk infill locations. Other locations will be presented to council in separate reports in the near future. REPORT: Sidewalk Policy Summary Sidewalk infill locations are rated and prioritized based on the criteria outlined below: PRIORITY 1 – GREATER THAN 62 points. Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of the roadway as they connect to a significant number of pedestrian origins and destinations. Any sidewalk infill location scoring 90 or more points is deemed to be pre- approved and will not require additional Council approval. PRIORITY 2 - 36-62 points. Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of the roadway; however, an exemption may only be authorized by Council should staff not be able to reasonably mitigate any one or more of the following: 1. The infill of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway would negatively impact the character of the neighbourhood as identified through a cultural heritage landscape study. 2. The infill of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway would result in significant site specific impacts. 3. The infill of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway would result in a substantial loss of healthy mature trees of a non-invasive species or other environmentally sensitive impacts that cannot be mitigated. 4. The infill of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway would result in significant impacts on winter maintenance that may result in a substantial increase to the City’s annual Operating budget. 2 - 2 PRIORITY 3 – LESS THAN 36 points. Sidewalks will be investigated on both sides, however, should there be any technical challenges that cannot be reasonably mitigated, or a lack of majority citizen support identified through the formal circulation to be provided to citizens within 400 metres of the proposed sidewalk location, an exemption may be authorized and sidewalks will be required on one side only. g) Notwithstanding the priority ranking as defined by the criteria in Table 1, a residential cul-de-sac or crescent that provides direct access to less than 50 residential units and does not provide direct access to another roadway, community parks, trails or a public walkway connection may be authorized for an exemption. The exemption would deem such streets to be Priority 3. The exemption would only apply to the section of cul-de-sacs or crescents that serve properties abutting that portion of the roadway. Proposed Sidewalk Infill locations Location: Vista Crescent – from Lakeside Drive – to Lakeside Drive Priority: Level 2 Score: 61 Implementation Year: 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill: 345m Vista Crescent is a Priority 2 under the Policy and therefore requires sidewalk on both sides of the road (see Figure 1). Priority 2 permits exemptions where negative impacts cannot be reasonably mitigated. Staff recommend installation of sidewalk on only one side of Vista Crescent due to the potential impacts to mature street trees if sidewalk was to be installed on both sides of the road. Staff are recommending that sidewalk be installed on the outside of Vista Crescent (odd numbered side) mainly due to the ability to connect the new sidewalk to adjacent public walkways. It is anticipated that the sidewalk can be installed within the paved area of the current roadway. This approach eliminates impacts to driveways. However, this will result in a narrowing of the roadway which will be mitigated by the removal of on-street parking on one side of the road. There is currently parking on both sides of Vista Crescent. 2 - 3 Location Lakeside Drive – from Vista Crescent – to House # 56 Priority Level 1 Score 80 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 65m This small section of infill sidewalk on Lakeside Drive is a Priority 1 (Figure 1). It is a higher priority than Vista Crescent due to its closer proximity to Queensmount Public School. Staff are recommending sidewalk be installed here to complete a section of sidewalk on Lakeside that abruptly ends mid-block and provide a connection to a walkway to Queens Blvd. There are no tree impacts however some shrub will need to be removed. Several driveways will lose parking capacity. Staff are anticipating this will be mitigated by a compensatory narrowing of the roadway, and/or widening of some driveway ramps to accommodate side-by-side parking on a wider driveway. Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 1 - Vista Crescent and Lakeside Drive 2 - 4 Location Glendale Road – East Avenue to Merner Avenue Priority Level 2 Score 40 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 75m This short section of Glendale currently has no sidewalks. As a Priority 2 staff are recommending sidewalk be installed on one side only due to limited road width and potential conflicts with mature street trees. There would also be negative impacts to off- street parking if sidewalk was installed on both sides of the roadway. Staff are recommending sidewalk be installed on the south side of the roadway. On-street parking will be restricted to one side of the roadway (currently both sides are permitted). Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 2 - Glendale Road 2 - 5 Location Pandora Avenue – Liberty Avenue to Melrose Avenue Priority Level 2 Score 55 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 175m This section of Pandora is a priority 2 (Figure 3). There is a section of infill required on the north side of Pandora and will complete a link to an already existing sidewalk from East Ave that currently ends at St. Anne’s Church parking lot. Under the Policy, Priority 2 locations allow for exemptions if negative impacts cannot be mitigated. For this infill installation, there are few negative impacts, and none that cannot be reasonably mitigated. The installation of this sidewalk will result in the likely removal of several smaller stature, less desirable species of trees (these are a columnar maple variety that grow with minimal canopy). These will be replaced with more suitable trees at a ratio of 2:1 throughout the project limits as required by the Policy. There are parking restrictions on one side of the road currently (due to Auditorium events). The roadway will to be slightly narrower as a result of curb installation therefore the restriction will be maintained permanently. The installation of new sidewalk across an existing driveway near Melrose will not affect the number of parking spaces. Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 3 - Pandora Avenue 2 - 6 Location Woodland Avenue (Russel Street to Mill Street) Priority Level 2 Score 50 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 200m Woodland Avenue (Figure 4) currently has sidewalk on one side of the road. As a Priority 2, staff are recommending sidewalk be installed on the opposite side as well. The new sidewalk is proposed to be placed in an area currently occupied by the roadway thereby eliminating any negative impacts to trees, driveways and landscaping. This will result in a moderate narrowing of the road however the current on-street parking (both sides) will not be affected. Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 4 - Woodland Avenue 2 - 7 Location Russel Street (Stirling Avenue S. to Spadina Road E.) Priority Level 2 Score 55 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 275m Russel Street (Figure 5) currently has no sidewalks on either side of the road. The installation of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway would result in significant negative impacts that cannot easily be mitigated.Staff are therefore recommending sidewalk be installed on one side only (west side - odd numbered) due to less complications and the presence of two churches on this side. There are minor impacts to driveway parking that can be mitigated by widening the driveway ramp. There will be no impact to the on- street parking (both sides). Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 5 - Russel Street 2 - 8 Location Breithaupt Street (St. Leger Street to Major Street) Priority Level 1 Score 85 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 515m The section of Breithaupt from St. Leger to Major Street (Figure 6) has no sidewalks on either side. Due to its Priority 1 status, staff are recommending installation of sidewalk on both sides of Breithaupt in accordance with the Policy. The block of Breithaupt directly east of Major Street has sidewalks both sides. The section of Breithaupt with missing sidewalk has a park (Major Park) and numerous businesses. Several of the businesses on Breithaupt currently use the right-of-way for parking although there are no records of City approval for this situation. Some of this parking will be impacted by the installation of the new sidewalk. Staff will continue to work with property owners to understand parking needs and will make efforts to mitigate impacts to parking through the installation of the sidewalk. Other impacts are relatively minor in nature including the removal of one small tree, and the need for a short section of retaining wall. It should be noted that maintenance of the new sidewalk in front of Breithaupt Park (65m) will be the responsibility of the City. Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 6 - Breithaupt Street 2 - 9 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority: Sustainable Environment & Infrastructure Strategy: 4.4 - Develop a network of safe, comfortable and linked pedestrian and cycling facilities and improve year-round maintenance on priority routes. Strategic Action: #97 Sidewalk Infill Policy FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The cost of sidewalk installation is funded through the Accelerated Infrastructure Replacement Program (AIRP) in the 2016 capital budget for these projects. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Public Information Centres (PIC) regarding these projects and the proposed sidewalk infill have been held as follows: Vista / Lakeside Reconstruction - May 27, 2015 Glendale / Pandora Reconstruction - September 17, 2015 Woodland / Russel Reconstruction - June 10, 2015 Breithaupt / Major Reconstruction - September 2, 2015 At each meeting the proposed sidewalk infill locations were shown and attendees were given opportunity for comments and questions of staff. Where possible, adjustments to the alignment are being made to accommodate concerns expressed by residents. Where needed, on-site meetings are being conducted with individual property owners to discuss sidewalk related impacts. Notices were delivered to the affected neighbourhoods regarding the Planning and Strategic Initiatives meeting (this meeting) to consider the sidewalk infill. This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department 2 - 10