HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-050 - 2018 Sidewalk Infill Program - Shantz Lane and Bond Street
Date:
June 9, 2017
To:
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Members of Council
From:
Jeff Bunn, Committee Administrator,
519-741-2200 x7275
cc: J. Willmer, D. Chapman, M. May, C. Fletcher, J. Readman, S. Allen,
K. Carmichael
Subject:
Infrastructure Services Department Report INS-17-050
2018 Sidewalk Infill Shantz Lane and Bond Street
Please find attached Infrastructure Services Department report INS-17-050 pertaining to the
2018 Sidewalk Infill for Shantz Lane and Bond Street. As noted on the June 12, 2017
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee Agenda, this item was deferred from the
May 29, 2017 CIS Committee meeting, and would be circulated under separate cover.
J. Bunn
Committee Administrator
REPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:June 12, 2017
SUBMITTED BY:Ken Carmichael,Interim Director Transportation Services
519-741-2200 x7372
PREPARED BY:Ken Carmichael,Interim Director Transportation Services
519-741-2200 x7372
Steve Allen, Manager of Design and Approvals
519-741-2200 x7584
WARD(S) INVOLVED:Wards 2 and 10
DATE OF REPORT:June 7, 2017
REPORT NO.:INS-17-050
SUBJECT:2018 Sidewalk Infill – Shantz Lane and Bond Street
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That this report be received for information purposes.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 31/17 Community and InfrastructureServices Committee meeting,through
consideration of report INS-17-041,the following resolution was passed:
That the following streets be approved for sidewalk infill as per the Sidewalk Infill
Policy attached to Infrastructure Services Department report INS-15-051
approved by Council June 1, 2015, and as outlined in Infrastructure Services
Department report INS-17-041:
Hill Street and St. Vincent Street; and,
Patricia Ave; and further,
That the following streets be deferred to the June 12, 2017 Community and
Infrastructure Services Committee meetingfor sidewalk infill as outlined in
Report INS-17-041 to allow for staff to further review proposed design options
and impacts on mature trees:
Shantz Lane; and,
Bond Street.
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This report serves to provide further information on the Shantz LaneandBond Street
sidewalk proposals.
REPORT:
Further follow up has been conducted by staff regarding the sidewalk proposals on both
Shantz Lane and Bond St.
SHANTZ LANE
Location: Shantz Lane – Weber Street to Ross Ave
Priority: Priority 1 (Greater than 67pts)
Score: 80pts
Implementation Year: 2018
Length of Sidewalk Infill: West Side 250m /East Side 300m
Priority 1 is defined as:Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of theroadway 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.
Transportation Services surveyedarea residentswithin the identified study area
regarding sidewalk infill along both sides of Shantz Lane. The results of the survey are
as follows:
Directly Affected Shantz Lane Residents:
In Favour Both Sides 0of 10(0%)
In Favour One Side 5 of 10 (50%)
Opposed 5 of 10 (50%)
AreaResidents:
In Favour Both Sides 21 of 46 (46%)
In Favour One Side 19 of 46 (41%)
Opposed 6 of 46 (13%)
Total Area Residents:
In Favour Both Sides 21 of 56 (38%)
In Favour One Side 24 of 56 (43%)
Total Opposed 11 of 56 - (20%)
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Total responses 56out of 261surveyed (22%)
From the surveyed results those who opposed the sidewalk infill, citedthe following
concerns:
Snow Removal - 12Parking loss - 9 Impacted landscaping - 16
Tree loss/removals - 18 Property value - 10
Upon further investigation by staffand in accordance with the Policy, it is recommended
that sidewalk be developed on both sides of Shantz Lane.
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The development of the east side (houses side) sidewalk will result in the following:
The existing large tree and landscaping feature (small retaining wall) in front of
113 Shantz Lane will remain in place. The narrowing of the roadway will allow for
the development of a sidewalk in this location without having to remove any of
these existing features.
Large Maple to be preserved
Five (5) trees would be removed in the area of the side yard to 140 Ross
Avenue. The Urban Forest Technologist in Design and Development has advised
that two (2) of these trees will be removed regardless due to their poor condition
(ash trees).
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Tree removals on east side of Shantz Lane - trees #1 and #5 to be removed due to
condition and trees #2, #3 and #4 to be removed to accommodate sidewalk.Note
significant space behind for re-plantingmore diverse and ecologically beneficial tree
species.
Staff investigated shifting the roadway alignment at this location in an attempt to save
trees, but would still result in loss of these trees. Staff hasalso reviewed alternate
alignments for the sidewalk (closer to property line), which would still impact the trees
and place the sidewalk closer to the building.
Development of the west side (expressway side) sidewalk will result in the following:
The potential loss of approximately 10-15Russian Olive trees (of the 20-25
existing).
The majority of the trees that may be lost are located on the section of Shantz
Lane between Prospect Avenue and the roadway curve at the trail connection.
The trees located on the section of Shantz Lane between Weber Street and
Prospect Avenue are anticipated toimpacted less, requiring some removals and
trimming and will be done only when necessary to develop the west side
sidewalk.
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Design and Developmentadvises thatthese Russian Olive trees arenot a desirable
species, are in generally poor health,and with alimited life expectancyremaining.
Having said that, throughconstruction, thepotentialremoval of trees willbeminimized
as much as possible with tree trimming being investigated before removal.
Design and Development also advises that there are significant opportunities through
the Shantz Lane roadway corridor to plant new trees through the reconstruction. This
could include planting within the right-of-way oron private property. The provision of
additional trees along Shantz Lane will help to provide further buffering for the local
residents from the K-W Expressway.Opportunities exist to plant new, more desirable
species behind the proposed sidewalk on the west side which, in time, would provide a
better buffer than the existing situation. This could be done pre-emptively for the west
side, or can be done over time as the existing trees are removed due to condition.
This proposal recommends that concrete sidewalks be developed on both sides of
Shantz Lane. Staff were directed to investigate the potential development of a three (3)
metre “gravel” trail along the west side to mitigate tree impacts. City standards for trail
construction require significant excavation whether the surface is a hard surface
(asphalt or concrete) or a stone dust surface. This is done to accommodate the loading
of snow removal and maintenance equipment. Therefore this option will not result in
fewer tree impacts and thereforenot recommended.We recommend that cyclists be
accommodated on-road with accompanying “Bike Route” signing. This form of cycling
infrastructure is recommended based on the low traffic volumes on Shantz Lane.
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Russian Olive Trees on west side of Shantz Lane looking south - significant impacts
Russian Olive Trees on west side of Shantz Lane looking north - moderate impacts
A concern raised by delegations speaking on the Shantz Lane sidewalk proposal was
related to the speed of vehicles accessing Shantz Lane from Ross Avenue, through the
curved section at the north end of Shantz Lane. Be advised that, through the
reconstruction of Shantz Lane, the intersection of Shantz Lane and Ross Avenue will be
redesigned to have these roadways meet at near or at a 90 degree angle. This redesign
will significantly reduce the speeds of vehicles accessing Shantz Lane from Ross
Avenue.
Staff will also review the appropriateness of additional signage at the bend to reduce
vehicle speeds.
BOND STREET
Location: Bond Street – Elizabeth Street to 125m north thereof
Priority: Priority 2 (36- 67pts)
Score: 50 pts
Implementation Year: 2018
Length of Sidewalk Infill: East Side 125m
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Bond Street is Priority 2 as identified in the sidewalk infill policy. Staffis recommending
installation of sidewalk on the east side of Bond Street from Elizabeth Street to a point
125m north thereof.There are no identified constructability concerns within the
proposed area.
Transportation Services surveyed area residents within the identified study area
regarding sidewalk infill on Bond Street as identified. The results of the survey are as
follows:
Directly Affected Bond Street Residents:
In Favour 0 of 2 (0%)
Opposed 2 of 2 (100%)
Indifferent 0 of 2 (0%)
Area Residents:
In Favour 59 (56%)
Opposed 24 (22%)
Indifferent 24 (22%)
Total Area Residents:
In Favour 59 (54%)
Opposed 26 (24%)
Indifferent 24 (22%)
Total responses 109out of 780 surveyed (14%)
From the surveyed results those who opposed the sidewalk infill cited,the following
concerns:
Snow Removal - 7 Parking loss - 5 Impacted landscaping - 6
Tree loss/removals - 6 Property value - 8
It should be noted that each surveyed response may have identified more than one
concern.
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Upon further investigation on the proposed sidewalk along Bond Street, directly behind
the plaza, it is recommended that the roadway be narrowed in this area allowing for the
development of acurb face sidewalkalong the north side of Bond Street. This proposal
will result in preserving an area for loading / unloading activities for the plaza, while
accommodating pedestrians along the north side of the roadway.Please refer to
Appendix ‘B” – Bond Street Sidewalk for a plan of this proposal.
Therefore, this recommendation will provide sidewalk for pedestrians in the area,
improving walkability within the neighbourhood, while maintaining the same loading /
unloading space for the plaza.While the vehicles required for loading / unloading will be
required to cross the new sidewalk, based on open visibility and adequate space
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between the sidewalk and building, this is a condition that hasworked well in other
locations.
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Input
Staff has followed up with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
regarding their position on the implementation of new sidewalks and/or trails through
roadway reconstruction. The following excerpt from the GRAAC Position Paper –
Installation of Sidewalks (Jun 26/14) was provided as follows:
Regarding road construction related to sidewalks, it is GRAAC's position that any time
road infrastructure is being upgraded or created within city limits, that sidewalks or
multiuse pathways be installed on both sides of the road. This would not only benefit
people with mobility issues and disabilities, it would make travel by anything other than
a car safer. It would also benefit drivers from having accidents due to unexpected
objects and people being on the road due to lack of a better pathway.
Staff’s recommendation to implement new sidewalks on Shantz Lane and Bond Street
addresses this recommendation.
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 2018 capital budget for these projects.
The estimated costs for the recommended infill sidewalks are as follows:
Bond Street $17,400
Shantz Lane (west side) $59,400
ShantzLane (east side) $47,200
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 regarding this
report to recommend the implementation of sidewalk through upcoming reconstruction
projects.
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CONSULT – Transportation Services initiated public consultation through a
survey/questionnaire for:
Shantz Lane – August 2016
Bond Street – January 2017
Public Information Centres (PIC) regarding these reconstruction projects and the
proposed sidewalk infill arescheduled and will follow the typical reconstruction
consultation format.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure
Services
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APPENDIX ‘A’
Shantz Lane Sidewalks / Tree Impacts
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APPENDIX ‘B’
Bond Street Sidewalk
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Approximate location of proposed sidewalk on Bond Street
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