HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-071 - Sidewalk Policy On Industrial Roads,~ ro~
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REPORT
Report To: Councillor ChristinaWeylie, Chair &
Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: April 23, 2007
Submitted By: Dave Mansell, Director of Engineering Services
Prepared By: Patricia MacPherson, Consultant
Larry Lynch, Manager, Engineering Infrastructure
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Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: April 11, 2007
Report No.: DTS-07-071
Subject: SIDEWALK POLICY QN INDl1STRIAL RQADS
RECQ~~ENDATION:
That Council Policy I-1120 be amended to reflect the following:
A. "That in existing Industrial (M-1, ~-2, ~-3, ~-4~ and Business Park ~B-1, B-2,
B-3, B-4~ areas sidewalks shall be installed on both sides of Secondary
Arterial Roads (26 metre R-Q-W, eg. Bingeman Park Drive and Strasburg
Road} and on that side of Major Collector Roads (20 metre R-Q-w, eg. Trillium
Drive and Shirley Avenue} where there is a bus route and that the City's future
Capital Budget for Sidewalk Construction be increased to reflect same."
B "That all new Industrial ~M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4} and Business Park (B-1, B-2, B-3,
B-4} Plans of Subdivision that are draft approved following the date of
approval of this Policy by Council, April 30, 2007, be developed with
sidewalks on both sides of Secondary Arterial Roads (26 metre R-O-W} and
that side of Major Collector Roads (20 metere} where bus routes are planned
and that the funding for such be referred to the Development Charge Team for
inclusion in the future Development Charge Report."
C. "That Engineering Services be directed to work with the Regional Municipality
of Waterloo to prioritize the Regional sidewalk construction program on
Regional Arterial Roads that abut Industrial ~M-1, M-2, ~-3, ~-4} and
Business Park ~B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4~ areas."
REPORT:
There is a move afoot across Ontario to have walkable communities. A Walkable
community not only supports the goal for an accessible community, it also promotes
good health and it will have positive affects on the environment in general. However,
municipalities in Ontario have significant gaps without sidewalks throughout their
communities. Industrial and Business Park areas having the largest gaps since
historically the construction standard across Ontario developed with asemi-urban
cross-section without sidewalks or curb and gutter. Staff have undertaken work that
includes the development of an assessment tool and a new layer in GIS that allows staff
to identify the gaps and estimate cost and construction schedules on a priority basis to
fill in the gaps. This process has been undertaken for Industrial and Business Park
areas of the City.
A study group consisting of the following staff: Jonathan garrison, Mike Henderson,
Katrina ~owald, Larry Lynch, John McBride, Greg McTaggart and Jim Rola layed the
ground work for the assesment tool by developing the "Sidewalk Criteria" methodology.
The ten criteria listed below were identified as the primary influences that affect the
need for sidewalks in general.
Sidewalk Criteria
School areas - 23%;
Special needs -15%;
Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) -12%;
Transit Route and buffer area of 50m-10%;
Population density -10%;
Neighbourhood links - 8%;
Public recreation facilities - 8%;
Houses of worship - 5%;
Posted speed - 4%;
Tourist attractions - 4%.
A weighting factor was applied to each criteria in order to assist in prioritizing and
managing a construction schedule and budget. The use of this model together with a
subjective review established a prioritization construction managment tool. The basis of
this work has aided in a comprehensive review relative to Industrial and Business Park
Areas. As noted below the primary driver for sidewalks in Industrial and Business Park
areas is distinct from other major land uses as the primary driver for sidewalks is transit.
The City of Kitchener's Pedestrian Charter indicates a desire for a walkable community
to extend into the Industrial areas. However, the cost to construct and maintain
sidewalks in general is high. Additionally, most of the Industrial and Business Park
Areas in the City of Kitchener are mature and in order to fulfill this desire in a
comprehensive manner, such that consistent usable sidewalks are constructed capital
costs will be required. The primary users of sidewalks in these areas will be employees
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using transit, not the general public. Also, sidewalks within Industrial and Business Park
areas will primarily be used time specifically, or during peek operation times dam and
pm). In addition, the population characteristics of the user group that walk in industrial
areas differs significantly from all other major land uses.
In view of this, a solution which is financially responsible to the community is required.
Sidewalks on one side will reduce the cost to retrofit these areas and maintain the goal
of reduced costs. The proposed recommendations inthis report reflects the City's desire
to achieve a walkable community. Recommendation "A" sets out a long term
construction plan for the City to comprehensively construct sidewalks on a priority basis.
Recommendation "B" speaks to future subdivision development and will allow for the
fair distribution of cost associated with the construction of sidewalks in new
subdivisions. Recommendation "C" suggests discussions with the Regional Municipality
of Waterloo to participate in their construction management program by providing input
from the City's perspective relative to need and priority for sidewalk construction of
Regional Arterial roads that abut Industrial and Business Park areas.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
To fill in the sidewak gaps that have been identified in the Industrial and Business Park
areas the estimated cost will be $3,187,320.00.
COMMUNICATION:
There has been no formal public process to date on these matters. however, there has
been extensive internal discussion regarding rationalization of the recommendations.
CONCLUSION:
The City of Kitchener is well serviced with sidewalks in residential and commercial
areas. Engineering services has had an excellent program constructing sidewalks in the
City of Kitchener where gaps exist. Areas remaining without sidewalks are
predominantly older residential neighbourhoods dinner city), Regional roads and
Industrial and Business Park areas. The exersize that was undertaken for Industrial and
Business Park areas provides the bases for future analysis of remaining areas of the
City to set up a construction manage program on priority basis to fill in the gaps in a
comprehensive manner and to provide construction cost estimates.
The proposed recommondationsrnme about as a result of a change in paradigm driven
by the desire to achieve walkable communities. Provincial legislation, The Places to
Grow Act, Regional policy, the Grow Management Strategy and the Region's and the
City's Pedestrian Charter all support this direction for the good of the community to
promote in general good health, an accessable community and a sustainable
environment.
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Should City Council support the recommendations inthis report the City of Kitchener will
be leading the way for communities in t~ntario. This construction program supports the
principals and vision of the Canada Green Building Council to transform the built
environment leading to a sustainable future. In this regard, the City of Kitchener may
want to explore the certification of this annual construction project for registration as a
SEED Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) building project.
Larry Lynch, C.E.T. Dave Mansell, P. Eng.
Manager, Engineering Infrastructure Director, Engineering Services
Rob Browning, General Manager
Development & Technical Services
ATTACHMENT
Mapping Prepared by City of Kitchener GIS Mapping Services, Melanie Wawryk
Proposed Sidewalks in Industrial Areas -Municipal Roads
Proposed Sidewalks in Industrial Areas -Regional Arterial Roads
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