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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-22 DAAC Minutes DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 22, 2019 City of Kitchener The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Debbie Chapman, Erin Atchison, Geoffrey Guin, Jeannette Makad, Sandra Castle, Trisha Smith, Tori Mikhnovsky Guests: Liz Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails PM – City of Kitchener D. Kropf, Active Trans Planning Project Manager – City of Kitchener Brian Patterson - Active Transportation Lead and Principal - Urban Systems Staff: Mistie Brown, Marzena Rachwal Information Items: 1. Chair & Vice Chair update Ms. M. Brown introduces the new Committee Chair, Geoffrey Guin. Ms. M. Brown discusses the vacant position for a second Committee Vice-Chair; she mentions that Jeannette Makad has expressed interest for the position, and if any committee member is interested to apply, please notify Ms. H. Abel or Ms. M. Rachwal before the next scheduled DAAC meeting in September. New Vice-Chair will be announce in September. 2. Project 220 Update Ms. M. Brown updates the committee on Project 220. Current pop-up vendors, Four All Ice Cream and A Million Elephants wrap up business operations on September 2. Impact Theatre Festival will occupy the space in September and October will be the headquarters for Oktoberfest. Ms. M. Brown invites the committee for ice cream to Four All Ice Cream once the meeting wraps up. 3. Gaukel Greenway Ms. M. Brown updates the committee on some housekeeping, during the road resurfacing of Goudies Lane, picnic tables are to be transferred from Goudies Lane to Gaukel Greenway. Discussion Items: 1) Cycling & Trails Master Plan – Minimum DT Grid Exercise Ms. L Christensen introduces Mr. B Patterson from Urban System. He discusses the study overview through the following key themes: Safety, Connectivity, and Design. Mr. B. Patterson discusses specific area of concern:  Gaps to Close in the Current Bike Network  Improve Safety  Suggested Route Connections  Road Crossing Safety  Destinations to include as key route points DAAC suggested considerations be given to the following items: important to physically protect bike lanes; sufficient parking facilities for bikes; education on biking within the new infrastructure. DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 22, 2019 City of Kitchener 2) Complete Streets Draft Review Mr. D. Kropf reviews Complete Streets approach to street design and people friendly transportation. He updates the committee, based on resident feedback though ongoing engagement activities, road safety was one of the most common concerns for the public. He indicates based on the findings, the City is developing a Complete Streets approach and guidelines that design for calmer traffic speeds and better balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists. Mr. D. Kropf indicates the following changes taking place:  Narrower lanes 3.0-3.3 m to increase sidewalk and bike lanes  wider sidewalks- to 1.8 m  Wider boulevards- for larger soil capacity for trees  Corner radii reduced by 6-8m from 9-12 m  Upgrade bicycle standards DAAC suggested considerations be given to the following items: more benches for individuals with mobility issues; better lighting for safety, education around the new infrastructure. Recommended action: https://www.completestreetsforcanada.ca/ Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Next meeting Sept 26, 2019 @ 4:00p.m.