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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-098 - Sidewalk Infill - 2016 Reconstruction Projects - Phase 2 REPORT TO: Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING: December 7, 2015 SUBMITTED BY: Steve Allen, Manager Engineering Des. & App., 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: November 26, 2015 REPORT NO.: INS-15-098 SUBJECT:Sidewalk Infill - 2016 Projects ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the following streets for sidewalk infill be approved as per the Sidewalk Infill Policy INS-15-051 approved by Council June 1, 2015; Cherry Street Duchess Avenue Marina Road Pleasant Avenue Glen Road Guelph Street Brunswick Ave; and further, That an exemption to the Sidewalk Infill Policy (June 2015) be made for Dane Street, with sidewalk being installed on one side of the roadway only between Crescent Street and Borden Avenue, as part of the upcoming 2016 reconstruction. 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 *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2 - 1 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 several locations of sidewalk that are recommended to be built in conjunction with upcoming construction 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. A report (INS 15-085) was presented to Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee on November 2, 2015 that outlined several streets with recommended sidewalk infill for 2016. Due to the significant number of locations of sidewalk infill in 2016 and the need to conduct public neighbourhood meetings prior to council consideration, staff are presenting sidewalk infill to council over several reports. This is the second of several reports that will be presented to council regarding sidewalk infill for 2016. 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 both sides of the roadway would negatively impact the character of the neighbourhood as identified through a cultural heritage landscape study. 2 - 2 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. 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. 2 - 3 Proposed Sidewalk Infill locations Location: Cherry Street – Iron Horse Trail to Strange Street Priority: Level 1 Score: 80 Implementation Year: 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill: 150m There are two sections of sidewalk infill on Cherry Street (Figure 1) which are both Priority 1. Sidewalk is proposed at the end of Cherry Street to connect the south side of the street to the Iron Horse Trail (IHT) and existing sidewalk. Although this section is a cul-de- sac, the connection to the IHT elevates the priority for the sidewalk. Additionally, the cul-de-sac serves a large number of residents due higher density housing. There is no impact to trees but some natural shrubbery between the cul-de-sac and the Trail will need to be removed. Winter maintenance of this section of sidewalk will be the City’s responsibility and can be done in conjunction with maintenance on the IHT. Sidewalk is also proposed on the south side of Cherry between the bridge and Strange Street. There currently is sidewalk on the south side that ends mid-block. The proposed new sidewalk will provide a continuous connection to Strange Street on the south side of the street. There is one mature tree between #113 and #107 Cherry Street that will likely require removal due to the sidewalk (Figure 2). Both homeowners adjacent to the tree have been made aware of this and have expressed a desire to have the tree removed. The tree is a Norway Maple and its health has been assessed as “fair”. 2 - 4 Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 1 – Cherry Street 2 - 5 Figure 2: Cherry Street tree removal 2 - 6 Location Duchess Avenue – Dunbar Road to Marina Road Priority Level 2 Score 55 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 130m Duchess Avenue is a Priority 2 (Figure 3) road with no existing sidewalk on either side. Staff are recommending sidewalk be installed on the south side (odd numbered homes) of the road only. The Infill Policy mandates sidewalk on both sides of the road for Priority 2 roadways however exemptions for sidewalk on both sides of the roadway are allowed where negative impacts cannot be mitigated. Sidewalk is not recommended on both sides of Duchess Avenue due to the amount of mature trees along the roadway. Sidewalk on both sides would result in damage or removal of a large number of trees along the street. For the proposed installation on the south side, several driveways will lose some parking capacity however the driveways will be sufficiently long enough to park multiple vehicles. One tree will also need to be removed due to the sidewalk (Figure 4). Staff’s assessment of the tree is that damage related to construction (with or without sidewalk) may severely damage the tree. Location Marina Road – Duchess Avenue to Glasgow Street Priority Level 1 Score 65 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 170m This section of Marina Road is a Priority 1 (Figure 3) road with no existing sidewalk on either side. It is a higher priority than Duchess Avenue due to its closer proximity to the Iron Horse Trail. Staff are recommending sidewalk be installed on both sides of the road. There are no tree impacts. One driveway will be significantly impacted negating the ability for a vehicle to park. Staff are anticipating this will be corrected by a widening of the driveway to accommodate parking behind the sidewalk. This driveway is one of two driveways for this property. The property also has a driveway on the Glasgow Street frontage which appears to be the primary driveway for this property. It should be noted that while Duchess and Marina function as one continuous roadway, because they are individually named they have been treated as separate road segments and evaluated separately under the policy. If they were to be evaluated as one roadway it would result in a Priority 1, requiring sidewalks in both sides, with no exceptions permitted under the policy. 2 - 7 Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 3 – Duchess Avenue and Marina Road 2 - 8 Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 4 - One tree removal on Duchess 2 - 9 Location: Pleasant Avenue – Queen’s Boulevard to Perth Road Priority: Level 1 Score: 80-85 Implementation Year: 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill: 200m Pleasant Avenue is a Priority 1 road with existing sidewalk intermittently on both sides of the road. There are minor tree impacts due to the installation of the sidewalk. Specifically several small stature City trees will need to be removed. Several driveways will lose some parking capacity. However it is not expected to reduce the number of vehicles able to park in any individual driveway. For example, if a particular driveway could accommodate two (2) vehicles, it will still be able to accommodate two (2) vehicles, but with less space remaining between vehicles and between the vehicle and the end of the driveway. In order to mitigate driveway impacts at #143 Glen Road, the design of the new road was realigned to shift away from this side of the roadway. Location Glen Road - Pleasant Avenue to Rex Drive Priority Level 1 Score 75 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 40m This short section of Glen Road is a Priority 1 (Figure 5). There is existing sidewalk on only one side of the roadway. This infill is adjacent to a City park (Glendale Park). There are no impacts to driveways or trees. 2 - 10 Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 5 – Pleasant Avenue and Glen Road Location Brunswick Avenue – Guelph Street to Blucher Street Priority Level 1 Score 75 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 80m Brunswick Avenue is a Priority 1 (Figure 6) with existing sidewalk already on one side. Staff are recommending sidewalk be added to the east side (even numbered homes) of the road. Two mature spruce trees will need to be removed as a result of the installation (Figure 7). Due to the narrow road allowance the sidewalk infill on the east side of the road will need to be a 1.8m curb-faced installation. There will be a minimal impact to driveways as they are sufficiently long enough to park multiple vehicles. 2 - 11 Location Guelph Street –Ahrens Street West to Brunswick Avenue Priority Level 1 Score 85 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 70m This section of Guelph Street is a Priority 1 (Figure 6) with existing sidewalk on one side only. As a Priority 1 staff are recommending sidewalk be added to the other side of the roadway. It is a higher priority than Brunswick Avenue due to its closer proximity to the Breithaupt Community Centre. Impacts to driveways will not result in significant loss of parking spaces. Relocation of 3 hydro poles will be required to facilitate the installation of the sidewalk. Location Guelph Street - Brunswick Avenue – to Margaret Avenue Priority Level 2 Score 60 Implementation Year 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill 140m This section of Guelph Street is a Priority 2 (Figure 6) road with existing sidewalk on one side. It is a lower priority than the previous section of Guelph Street and Brunswick Avenue due to it being further distance from the downtown. While the Policy permits exemptions to the requirement of sidewalk on both sides, staff are recommending sidewalk be added to the north side since any impacts are minimal and can likely be mitigated through the design. Additionally, this section will complete a continuous connection of sidewalk on Guelph Street from Moore Ave to the Expressway. 2 - 12 Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Figure 6 – Guelph Street and Brunswick Avenue 2 - 13 Figure 7 - Brunswick Avenue spruce tree removal 2 - 14 Location: Dane Street – Crescent Street to Borden Avenue Priority: Level 1 Score: 95 Implementation Year: 2016 Length of Sidewalk Infill: 80m The right-of-way of Dane Street (Figure 8) is relatively narrow and presents some challenges for the sidewalk installation. This infill is rated as a Priority 1 with 95 points which under the Policy requires sidewalk on both sides of the road. There is currently sidewalk on one side of the road. In order to install the sidewalk required under the Policy, the sidewalk installation would be 1.5m curb-faced for a significant distance along both sides of Dane, which is 0.3m narrower than the City’s guideline width for curbed-face sidewalk. The areas of existing sidewalk currently have a small boulevard which will have to be removed to accommodate sidewalk on both sides. This will present challenges with respect to snow storage and clearing. Additionally the narrower sidewalk and absence of a boulevard presents challenges with cross fall on the sidewalk that may not be fully addressed though the design and construction. The curb-faced sidewalk coupled with the relatively narrow roadway will introduce winter maintenance challenges as a result of lack of storage options for snow. In order to mitigate this, additional winter maintenance costs will likely be incurred by the City for snow-loading and removal from the street on a more frequent basis. Staff are recommending that an exemption to the Sidewalk Infill Policy be made for this section of Dane Street, with sidewalk being installed on one side of the roadway only where it currently exists, as part of the upcoming 2016 reconstruction. 2 - 15 Existing Sidewalk Sidewalk Exemption Figure 8 - Dane Street - sidewalk exemption 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. 2 - 16 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Public Information Centres (PIC) regarding these projects and the proposed sidewalk infill have been held as follows: Duchess Avenue / Marina Road September 30, 2015 Cherry Street October 6, 2015 Brunswick Avenue / Guelph Street October 13, 2015 Glen Road / Pleasant Avenue October 28, 2015 Dane Street November 23, 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 appropriate, 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: Hans Gross, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services 2 - 17