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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-16-081 - 2017 Sidewalk Infill Reconstruction Projects REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: December 5, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director Transportation Services 519- 741-2200 x7372 PREPARED BY: Jeramie Lewis, Interim Transportation Planning Project Manager, 519-741-2200 x7665 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 8 and 9 DATE OF REPORT: October 12, 2016 REPORT NO.: INS-16-081 SUBJECT:2017 Sidewalk Infill through Roadway Reconstruction ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the following streets be approved for sidewalk infill as per the Sidewalk Infill Policy attached to report INS-15-051 approved by Council June 1, 2015; Aberdeen Road Kehl Street BACKGROUND: On June 1, 2015 Council approved report # INS-15-051 Sidewalk Infill Policy. The Infill Policy defines the framework around the installation of new sidewalk in locations where sidewalk currently does not exist. 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 upcoming road reconstruction projects in 2017, and provides recommendations for the application of the policy in these areas. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 1 REPORT: 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. Accordingly, staff has reviewed two locations that are being reconstructed for sidewalk infill through 2017 reconstruction. ABERDEEN ROAD Location: Aberdeen Road – West side from Inverness Drive to Waterloo City Limits Priority: Priority 2 (36-67pts) Score: 50 pts Implementation Year: 2017 Length of Sidewalk Infill: 250m Priority 2 is defined as: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. Aberdeen Road is Priority 2 under the Policy. Staff are recommending installation of sidewalk on the west side of Aberdeen Road from Inverness Drive to the boundary at Waterloo City Limits. It should be noted that sidewalk is already in place on the east side of Aberdeen Road. Transportation Services surveyed area residents within the identified study area regarding sidewalk infill along the west side Aberdeen Road. The results of the survey are as follows: Directly Affected Aberdeen Road Residents: In Favour 0 of 3 (0%) Opposed 3 of 3 (100%) *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 2 Area Residents: Total in Favour 8 - (22%), Total Opposed 25 - (67%) Indifferent 4 - (11%) Total Area Residents: Total in Favour 8 - (20%), Total Opposed 28 - (70%) Indifferent 4 - (10%) Total responses 40 out of 84 surveyed (48%) From the surveyed results those who opposed the sidewalk infill cited, the following concerns: Snow Removal - 4 Parking loss - 1 Impacted landscaping - 18 Tree loss/removals - 15 Property value - 11 It should be noted that each surveyed response may have identified more than one concern. The sidewalk on the west side of Aberdeen Road is proposed to be constructed with the upcoming re-profiling work on Aberdeen Road and Forsyth Drive being undertaken by the City of Waterloo to address flooding on Forsyth Drive. The City of Waterloo will complete sidewalk infill along their portion of the road to align with our sidewalk installation. The City of Kitchener is replacing underground servicing as part of this work. The area where the proposed sidewalk is to be installed is currently sodded and landscaped in some areas. The installation of the sidewalk may require modifications to address the following constraints: the landscaped areas, the relocation of light standards and utility poles (approximately 6), the relocation of an above ground hydro vault, the relocation of a fire hydrant, the installation of some low retaining walls, and 2 to 3 City trees within Kitchener project are at risk because of potential root damage. All the above mentioned impacts are dependent on the amount of re-profiling of the roadway that is required to address the flooding issues within Waterloo. These details are still being refined by the design team and the impacts may be significantly less if the re-profiling is minimal. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 3 *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 4 KEHL STREET Location Kehl Street – from Ottawa Street to Hoffman Street Priority Priority 1(Greater than 67 pts) Score 70 pts Implementation Year 2017 Length of Sidewalk Infill 470m Priority 1 is defined as: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. Kehl Street is a Priority 1 under the Policy. Staff is recommending that sidewalk be installed in this location to complete the neighbourhood connectivity from Ottawa Street to Hoffman Street. Transportation Services surveyed the area residents within the identified study area regarding the sidewalk infill along the west side Aberdeen Avenue. The results of the survey are as follows: Directly Impacted Kehl Street Residents: In Favour 3 of 11 (27%) Opposed 0 of 11 (0%) Area Residents: Total in Favour 25 - (63%), Total Opposed 10 - (25%) Indifferent 5 - (12%) Total Surveyed Residents: Total in Favour 28 – (65%) Total Opposed 10 – (23%) Indifferent 5 – (12%) Total responses 43 out of 129 surveyed (33%) From the surveyed results those who opposed the sidewalk infill cited the following concerns: Snow Removal - 7 Parking loss - 4 Impacted landscaping - 3 Tree loss/removals - 2 Property value - 3 It should be noted that each surveyed response may have identified more than one concern. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 5 The installation of the sidewalk may require modifications to address the following constraints: Kehl Street has a few low stature trees, Some areas may require a low height retaining wall, to be installed to facilitate the sidewalk infill, and Some private landscaping located within the City of Kitchener road allowance will be impacted. The property owners that are directly affected by the sidewalk infill will be required to maintain the portion that is directly adjacent to their property. For the portion of City owned property fronting Queen Elizabeth Public School park frontage, Operations will be maintaining that portion at a yearly cost of approximately $605.00. Of the 11 properties that are impacted, 2 properties currently have extended driveways measuring 12m from the edge of street to home, of that length 7m is privately owned and 5m is City owned lands. Although two (2) vehicles can be parked currently within the driveway, they do have a legal space of 6m available to the property. With the sidewalk infill the second space will be lost. The other 9 properties will not be affected as five (5) are multi-unit properties with supplied parking on-site, the other residential properties have extended driveways beyond the 12m from the property line. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 6 *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 7 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 2017 capital budget for these projects. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. Residents were notified on November 9, 2016 regarding this report to recommend the implementation of sidewalk through upcoming reconstruction projects. CONSULT – Transportation Services initiated public consultation through a survey/questionnaire for: Kehl Street – July 5, 2016 Aberdeen Road - July 5, 2016 Public Information Centres (PIC) regarding these projects and the proposed sidewalk infill are as follows: Kehl Street Reconstruction PIC - November 1, 2016 Aberdeen Road Reconstruction PIC - planned first week December 2016 ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 9 - 8