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Home My WebLink AboutDSD-2022-053 - Sidewalk Infill through Street Reconstructions in 2022 Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 7, 2022 SUBMITTED BY: Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services, 519-741-2200 x7738 PREPARED BY: Darren Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager, 519-741-2200 ext. 7314 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 1 and 9 DATE OF REPORT: January 27, 2022 REPORT NO.: DSD-2022-053 SUBJECT: Sidewalk infill through street reconstructions in 2022 RECOMMENDATION: That sidewalks be installed on both sides of Ann Street; and, That sidewalk be installed on both sides of Becker Street; and, That sidewalk be installed on the east side of Southdale Avenue and a boulevard multi-use trail be installed on the west side; and further, That Council receive, for information purposes only, other sidewalk infill locations in 2022 that are pre-approved, as per the Sidewalk Infill Policy MUN-STR-2004. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to request City Council approval for the installation of sidewalks and/or boulevard multi-use trails through street reconstructions in 2022. The key findings of this report are that: o Staff recommend the installation of sidewalks on both sides of Ann Street and Becker Street, which both score as Priority 2 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy. o Staff recommend the installation of sidewalk on one side of Southdale Avenue and a boulevard multi-use trail in lieu of sidewalk on the other side to provide continuity with the future trail network along Shoemaker Creek. Southdale scores as a Priority 1 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy. o Stewart Street is pre-approved in the Sidewalk Infill Policy and staff are planning the installation of a boulevard multi-use trail on Stewart Street in lieu of sidewalk, to provide continuity with the Transit Hub Trail between the Iron Horse Trail and future King Victoria Transit Hub. o Joseph Street is pre-approved in the Sidewalk Infill Policy and staff are planning the installation of sidewalk on one side and a boulevard multi-use *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. trail in lieu of sidewalk on the other side on to provide continuity with the Transit Hub Trail and separated bike lanes on the remainder of Joseph Street. Sidewalks and boulevard multi-use trails are funded through the street reconstruction capital budget (Water Infrastructure Program). Operating costs for the new multi-use trails will be approximately $4,500. Community engagement included surveys to residents within 400 m of each street that was not pre-approved and a presentation to the Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee. This report supports People-friendly Transportation. BACKGROUND: On June 1, 2015, Council approved MUN-STR-2004 Sidewalk Infill Policy. The Sidewalk Infill Policy defines the framework around the installation of new sidewalk locations where sidewalk currently does not exist. T 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 proposed installations when sidewalk infill is not pre- approved through the policy. The policy requires Council approval for some sidewalk infill locations. This report outlines locations of sidewalk that are recommended to be built in conjunction with upcoming road reconstruction projects in 2022 and provides recommendations for the application of the policy in these areas. REPORT: Staff has reviewed five locations for sidewalk infill through full street reconstructions scheduled for 2022. Ann Street (Frederick St to end) This street reconstruction was initiated by Transportation (MTO), as part of the -going work for Highway 7 expansion. Current conditions of Ann Street Local Street serving direct property access Low-rise residential on the north side and institutional with parking lots on the south side Between Frederick Street and Ephraim Street, sidewalk exists on the south side only, leaving a gap of 130 m on the north side \[ĻŭĻƓķʹ {ƷǒķǤ ğƩĻğ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ źƓŅźƌƌ 9ǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ Ann Street scores a 55 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy, making it a Priority 2 location. Ann Street Point Summary Points Within 200 m from a bus stop (Route #20) 10 Within 400 m from a mixed-use corridor (Frederick Street) 20 Within 400 m from a commercial zone (Frederick Street) 5 Within 400 m of a park (Weber Park) 10 Completion of a link along the same roadway 5 Within 400 m of a health care facility (KW Dentistry on Frederick Street) 5 A Priority 2 location (36 - 62 points) means 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 constraints such as, but not limited to; cultural heritage impacts, site specific impacts, environmentally sensitive impacts and maintenance impacts. Community input on proposed sidewalk infill for Ann Street Staff surveyed residents within 400 m of the proposed sidewalk infill and received 69 responses. Directly affected residents on Ann Street: PositionPercentage In favour 0 of 3 (0%) Opposed 3 of 3 (100%) Indifferent 0 of 3 (0%) Area residents: Position Percentage In favour 44 of 66 (67%) Opposed 15 of 66 (23%) Indifferent 7 of 66 (11%) Total residents (directly affected + area residents): Position Percentage In favour 44 of 69 (64%) Opposed 18 of 69 (26%) Indifferent 7 of 69 (10%) Reasons cited in favour of sidewalk infill included increased walkability, equity for all and safety for vulnerable users (including people with disabilities, children and older adults). Reasons cited against the sidewalk infill included lack of foot traffic, one sidewalk is sufficient, waste of tax dollars, tree impacts, grade changes, winter snow clearing, and reduction in front lawn space. Staff recommendation for Ann Street Staff propose the installation of sidewalk on both sides of Ann Street. To minimize site specific impacts, the roadway can be narrowed from 8 m to 7 m, in accordance with the roadway and boulevard will be narrowed further. Becker Street (Fife Avenue to end) This street reconstruction was initiated by Transportation (MTO), as part of the -going work for Highway 7 expansion. Current conditions of Becker Street Local Street serving direct property access Residential on the north side and parking lots for nearby funeral home on the south side Sidewalk exists on the south side only, which currently connects past the dead end to provide a direct pedestrian connection to Frederick Street There are no sidewalks on the north side of Becker Street, leaving a gap of 150 m {ƷǒķǤ ğƩĻğ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ źƓŅźƌƌ 9ǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ Becker Street scores a 55 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy, making it a Priority 2 location. Becker Street Point Summary Points Within 200 m from a bus stop (Route #20) 10 Within 400 m from a mixed-use corridor (Frederick Street) 20 Within 400 m from a commercial zone (Frederick Street) 5 Within 400 m of a park (Weber Park) 10 Completion of a link along the same roadway 5 Within 400 m of a health care facility (KW Dentistry on Frederick Street) 5 A Priority 2 location (36 - 62 points) means 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 constraints such as, but not limited to; cultural heritage impacts, site specific impacts, environmentally sensitive impacts and maintenance impacts. Community input on proposed sidewalk infill for Becker Street Staff surveyed residents within 400 m of the proposed sidewalk infill and received 69 responses. Directly affected residents on Becker Street: Position Percentage In favour 1 of 2 (50%) Opposed 1 of 2 (50%) Indifferent 0 Area residents: Position Percentage In favour 43 of 67 (64%) Opposed 17 of 67 (25%) Indifferent 7 of 67 (10%) Total residents (directly affected + area residents): Position Percentage In favour 44 of 69 (64%) Opposed 18 of 69 (26%) Indifferent 7 of 69 (10%) Reasons cited in favour of the sidewalk infill included increased walkability, equity for all and safety for vulnerable users (people with disabilities, children and older adults). Reasons cited against the sidewalk infill included the lack of connection with a dead-end street and waste of tax dollars. Staff recommendation for Becker Street City staff recommend sidewalks on both sides. To minimize site specific impacts, the Streets guidelines. No tree loss is expected. The MTO is not planning to reinstate the sidewalk pathway that connects the end of Becker Street to Frederick Street in its Highway 7 work, due to space limitations in the highway right-of-way. Without this sidewalk, residents will be required to use Ann Street to access Frederick Street. Nonetheless, city staff will work with the MTO to explore any possible solutions to maintaining this pedestrian access, and sidewalks on both sides of Becker Street would facilitate this connection. If sidewalk access to Frederick Street is not provided by the MTO, a sidewalk on the west side is not recommended by staff since it will not serve any properties or connect to the wider pedestrian network. Southdale Avenue (Kehl Street to bend in road) Southdale Avenue is a full city-led street reconstruction to replace and/or upgrade underground services. Current conditions of Southdale Avenue Local Street serving direct property access Residential properties on both sides Sidewalks existon both sides of Southdale Avenue between the bend in road and Hoffman Street, leaving a gap of 115 m on both sides between the bend in road and Kehl Street \[ĻŭĻƓķʹ {ƷǒķǤ ğƩĻğ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ źƓŅźƌƌ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ĬƚǒƌĻǝğƩķ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ {ŷƚĻƒğƉĻƩ /ƩĻĻƉ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ 9ǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ Southdale Avenue scores an 80 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy, making it a Priority 1 location. Southdale Avenue Point Summary Points Within 200 m from a bus stop (Route #16) 10 Within 400 m from a mixed-use corridor (Highland Road) 20 Within 800 m of an elementary school (Queen Elizabeth Public School) 25 Within 400 m from a commercial zone (Mill Street) 5 Within 400 m of a park (Shoemaker Park) 10 Completion of a link along the same roadway 5 Within 400 m of a Type 1 trail (Shoemaker Greenway) 5 Priority 1 (greater than 62 points) means sidewalks shall be required on both sides of the roadway as they connect to a significant number of pedestrian origins and destinations.The policy does not stipulate grounds for exemptions. Community input on proposed sidewalk infill for Southdale Avenue Staff surveyed residents within 400 m of the proposed sidewalk infill and received 47 responses. Directly affected residents on Southdale Avenue: Position Percentage In favour 1 of 1 (100%) Opposed 0 Indifferent 0 Area residents: Position Percentage In favour 43 of 68 (63%) Opposed 18 of 68 (26%) Indifferent 7 of 68 (10%) Total residents (directly affected + area residents): Position Percentage In favour 44 of 69 (64%) Opposed 18 of 69 (26%) Indifferent 7 of 69 (10%) Reasons cited in favour of the sidewalk infill included safety for children walking to school, improving connectivity to existing trails and health benefits by going for walks or walking dogs. Reasons cited against the sidewalk infill included the perspective that a trail on one side is sufficient and also adding sidewalks is a waste of tax dollars. Staff recommendation for Southdale Avenue Staff propose installing sidewalk on the east side of Southdale Avenue and a boulevard multi-use trail on the west side. To minimize site specific impacts, the roadway can be tree loss is expected due to sidewalk installation. The boulevard multi-use trail is proposed in lieu of sidewalk to provide consistency with the new multi-use trail being built as part of the Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Project. When all portions of construction are complete, this will create a continuous trail along the creek between Homer Watson Boulevard and Shoemaker Park. Stewart Street (Park Street to end) Stewart Street is a full city-led street reconstruction to replace and/or upgrade underground services. Current conditions of Stewart Street Local Street serving direct property access Residential properties on one side and Home Hardware on the other side Sidewalks exist on the residential side only, leaving a gap of 180 m on one side tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ źƓŅźƌƌ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ĬƚǒƌĻǝğƩķ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ ƩğƓƭźƷ IǒĬ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ {ĻƦğƩğƷĻķ ĬźƉĻ ƌğƓĻƭ 9ǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ Stewart Street scores 100 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy, making it pre-approved. Stewart Street Point Summary Points Within 800 m of multi-modal hub and rapid transit stations (Central Station) 25 Within 800 m of downtown 25 Within 800 m of an elementary school 25 Within 400 m from a commercial zone (downtown) 5 Within 400 m of a park (Cherry Park) 10 Within 400 m of a Type 1 trail (Transit Hub Trail) 10 Community engagement & staff recommendation This location does not require neighbourhood surveys, nor does it require Council approval, due to preapproved point totals (90+). The proposed cross-section was presented to the surrounding neighbourhood through the roadway reconstruction public information centres (PICs) held by the Engineering Division and to the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee. Staff will install a boulevard multi-use trail in lieu of sidewalk, to provide continuity with the Transit Hub Trail that connects the Iron Horse Trail with the future Transit Hub at King and Victoria. Joseph Street (Victoria Street to end) Joseph Street is a full city-led street reconstruction to replace and/or upgrade underground services. Current conditions of Joseph Street Local Street serving direct property access Institutional and/or commercial land use on both sides Sidewalk exists on a short section only, leaving a gap of 150 m on one side and 240 m on the other side tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ źƓŅźƌƌ tƩƚƦƚƭĻķ ĬƚǒƌĻǝğƩķ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ ƩğƓƭźƷ IǒĬ ƒǒƌƷźΏǒƭĻ ƷƩğźƌ {ĻƦğƩğƷĻķ ĬźƉĻ ƌğƓĻƭ 9ǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƭźķĻǞğƌƉ Joseph Street scores 95 in the Sidewalk Infill Policy, making it pre-approved (anything above 90 points). Joseph Street Point Summary Points Within 800 m of multi-modal hub and rapid transit 25 stations (Central Station) Within 800 m of downtown 25 Within 800 m of a post-secondary school 15 (University of Waterloo) Within 400 m from a commercial zone 5 (downtown) Within 400 m of a health care facility (Centre for 5 Family Medicine) Within 400 m of a park (Cherry Park) 10 Within 400 m of a Type 1 trail (Transit Hub Trail) 10 Community engagement & staff recommendation This location did not require neighbourhood surveys, nor does it require Council approval, due to preapproved point totals (90+). The proposed cross-section was presented to the surrounding neighbourhood through the roadway reconstruction public information centres (PICs) held by the Engineering Division and to the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee. Staff will install sidewalk on the south side and a boulevard multi-use trail in lieu of sidewalk on the north side, to provide continuity with the Transit Hub Trail and separated bike lanes on the remainder of Joseph Street. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports People-friendly Transportation. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget The cost of sidewalk and boulevard multi-use trail installation is funded through the Water Infrastructure Program (WIP) in the 2022 capital budget for these projects. The Region of Waterloo is paying for the costs of the boulevard multi-use trails on Stewart Street and Joseph Street, as part of the Transit Hub Trail project. Operating Budget The boulevard multi-use trails on Joseph Street, Stewart Street and Southdale Avenue will have a combined operating cost of approximately $4,500. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM the council / committee meeting. Residents within 400 m of the streets were notified through on to install sidewalks. CONSULT A survey was mailed to all residents within 400 m of the streets proposed for sidewalk infill. For Ann Street and Becker Street, 69 residents responded, while 47 residents responded to the survey for Southdale Avenue. On October 12, 2021, the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee passed the unanimous motion: Becker streets The Engineering Division leads public engagement for roadway reconstruction projects. Transportation Planning staff support these engagement efforts to discuss and answer questions regarding sidewalk infill, and other transportation impacts. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: Sidewalk Infill Policy MUN-STR-2004 Complete Streets Guidelines DSD-19-235 APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department