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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-124 - Pedestrian Connection between Fairway Road and Traynor AvenueStaff Repod Development Services Department REPORT TO: DATE OF MEETING SUBMITTED BY: PREPARED BY: WARD (S) INVOLVED: DATE OF REPORT: REPORT NO.: SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS: 1 �_ -- FNFR www. kitch ever. ca Special Council September 10, 2018 Barry Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services, 519-741-2200, ext. 7738 Barry Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services, 519-741-2200, ext. 7738 Ward 3 September 5, 2018 DSD -18-124 Pedestrian Connection between Fairway Road and Traynor Avenue That staff be directed to proceed with the acquisition of lands that are required to construct a walkway connection from Fairway Road South to the LRT corridor; That staff be directed to proceed with the acquisition of lands that are required to construct a walkway connection from Traynor Avenue to the LRT corridor; That Council fund the potential land acquisition costs from the Land Inventory Reserve Fund (up to the existing balance) with any remaining costs being funded from the Tax Capital Reserve Fund; and further, That capital funding for the walkway construction be referred to the 2019 Capital Budget process. BACKGROUND: The Light Rail Transit (LRT) line currently extends from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. A portion of the route utilizes the existing one kilometre long hydro corridor between Courtland Avenue East and Wilson Avenue (see map in Appendix A). Within the hydro corridor there is also a formal stone dust trail that similarly runs east -west through the corridor from Courtland Avenue to Wilson Avenue, just north of the LRT corridor. A pedestrian walkway connects the local residential community to the stone dust trail via Balfour Crescent. There is no formal pedestrian connection on the Fairway Road side of the corridor; however, in the past residents of the neighbourhood have informally accessed commercial destinations along Fairway Road by crossing the hydro corridor through existing parking lots. Access over private property is classified as trespass and could be cut off with fencing by current owners at any time. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. The LRT system is in the testing phase and is planned to become operational in December, 2018. The portion of the line that runs along the existing hydro corridor between Courtland Avenue and Wilson Avenue is automated, and as a result security fencing was installed. This fencing has restricted informal pedestrian access across commercial properties along Fairway Road South. REPORT: Feasibility Study A feasibility study was conducted to determine the necessity of a pedestrian connection, the ideal location of a new crossing if deemed to be required through the feasibility study, and the appropriate type of connection. The first public meeting was held in January, 2017. This meeting consisted of a series of interactive workshops that included origin/destination surveys as well as travel mode and trip frequency assessments. The information gathered from the workshops was then used to assess the need and optimal location of a potential crossing. In addition, existing conditions, background information, evaluation criteria and alternative crossing solutions were presented in an effort to follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment approach. The alternatives considered included: do nothing, an overpass (bridge), an underpass (tunnel), a level crossing, and transit improvements. It is worth noting that a total of 213 members of the public provided input at the meeting or through additional engagement with residents in multi -residential properties within the neighbourhood. The vast majority indicated that the type of crossing is secondary to safe and convenient access. Following the first public meeting, further review determined that both the overpass and underpass options were not feasible due to existing underground infrastructure. The preliminary preferred alternative was determined to be an at grade pedestrian crossing. The feasibility study determined that the preliminary preferred crossing should be located in and around the area of 642 Fairway Road South, as shown in appendix A. This location outlets directly to a signalized crossing of Fairway Road South. A secondary preferred location was identified in and around 666 Fairway Road South, slightly west of the preliminary preferred location. North of the LRT corridor, there is an existing municipal pathway located between 49 and 51 Balfour Crescent that connects a portion of the Vanier neighbourhood to the east -west pathway. However, through consultation the community indicated that this location is out of the way for the majority of residents in the community. The preliminary preferred location for an additional pedestrian connection on the north side of the LRT corridor is along the westerly property limit of 259 Traynor Avenue. A second public meeting was held on December 2nd, 2017 to confirm the results of the study with the community. 47 community members attended the meeting and showed substantial support for the preferred plan. Based on this support, the Region of Waterloo has initiated a functional design process, which will ultimately determine physical construction requirements and land limits required for property acquisition. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Land Acquisition In order to facilitate a safe pedestrian connection, land acquisition is required to construct a walkway connection from Fairway Road South to the LRT corridor. Walkways are generally defined as pedestrian accesses that are perpendicular to a road right- of-way and connect two road rights -of -ways or a road right-of-way to a trail or park feature. Walkways are a lower tier municipality responsibility and are typically identified through secondary plans and/or subdivision planning. Sidewalks run parallel to the roadway and are generally constructed by the responsible party (municipality or regional government) that has accountability for the road right-of-way being constructed, or reconstructed. Based on this it is recommended that the City of Kitchener's responsibility on this project relates to the provision of a walkway(s) outside of the limits of the LRT corridor right-of-way. The Region of Waterloo has agreed to assume responsibility for any construction changes to the LRT corridor (signals, arm gates, signal houses, LRT crossing modifications, etc.) to facilitate safe pedestrian movement. Given their respective responsibilities for safe pedestrian passage, the City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo must work collaboratively to construct an appropriate pedestrian connection. By purchasing land and building the walkway and LRT crossing the first true pedestrian access to commercial properties on Fairway Road South will be created. The access will be AODA compliant, and will be maintained so it can be used year round. Next Steps Regional staff have indicated that a preliminary design will be completed by mid -fall. It is worth noting that this design is required to identify walkway limits, including any area needed for ramping to accommodate the grade change from Fairway Road South to the top of rail at the LRT tracks. It is anticipated that construction of the at -grade crossing and walkway will occur during the 2019 construction season, subject to land acquisition. 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. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The acquisition of land and construction of a connecting walkway was not included in the 2018 Capital Budget. As an unfunded request, there are two possible funding options for Council to consider related to the land acquisition. Option 1 - Land Inventory Reserve Fund (preferred option) *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. The purpose of the land inventory reserve is to acquire land that is of strategic importance for the City. The reserve would be considered the appropriate and recommended funding source for the land acquisition costs. The current balance in the reserve fund is $376,195. Option 2 — Tax Capital Reserve Fund This reserve is funded from capital close-outs and can be used for funding general capital projects. The balance is reviewed annually as part of the capital budget process and is typically allocated to capital projects after assessing multiple priorities/requests. The current balance in the reserve fund is $592,753. Based on the expected timing for constructing a crossing, it is recommended that capital construction costs be included for consideration as part of the 2019 capital budget process. Staff have investigated potential sponsorship opportunities for the capital construction of the walkway(s). During approval of the sponsorship strategy, Council deemed trails as naming rights opportunities and low priority assets for sponsorship opportunities. Walkways, like sidewalks and roadways, are considered to be part of core service delivery and generally fall outside of the principles/conditions of the Municipal Sponsorship Policy. The marketing value of walkways is low in comparison to the capital costs of constructing them and there is no guarantee that there would be an interest or partnership opportunity. Given the low marketability and the uncertainty around finding a sponsorship partner, staff do not recommend pursuing sponsorship opportunities on the walkway at this time. Staff at the Region and the City will continue to work together to investigate other potential public infrastructure funding/grant opportunities. Should an opportunity be identified, staff will update Council accordingly. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. CONSULT — The City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo held public consultation on two separate occasions (January and December 2017). Additionally, local community groups engaged with affected citizens on site (apartment buildings along Traynor Avenue) to collect additional feedback. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager Development Services Department Attached: Appendix A — Key Map of Area *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Appendix A: KEY MAP OF AREA