Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

The General Manager of Engineering Services and
the Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Urban Design Review of Pacific Boulevard - Phase 1- Beach Neighbourhood and Implementation of Bike Lanes On Pacific and Expo Boulevards

 

RECOMMENDATION

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On April 10, 1990, Council adopted an "overall pedestrian and boulevard area treatment scheme for False Creek North" that included portions of Pacific Boulevard between Richards Street and Griffiths Way, immediately east of BC Place Stadium.

On May 2 , 2002, Council adopted the Urban Design and Streetscape Principles for the redesign of Pacific Boulevard, and endorsed the Preferred Schematic Design for Pacific Boulevard, subject to detailed costing and design, the review of revenue sources, public input, and discussions with adjacent property owners, residents and businesses on detailed design.

The Vancouver Comprehensive Bicycle Plan (1988) and the Clouds of Change Report (1990) established the City's policy of promoting and encouraging cycling as a transportation alternative. In particular, the report noted that conditions should be improved to promote walking and cycling, and that the existing street design should be improved to accommodate bicycles.

In May 1997, Council approved the Transportation Plan which recommended the creation of a network of bike lanes downtown. In July, 2001 Council approved the Northeast False Creek Urban Design Plan, which in conjunction with the 1997 Transportation Plan and draft Downtown Transportation Plan, also emphasized that effective and safe cycling facilities should be incorporated within existing capacities.

PURPOSE

This report asks Council to approve the conceptual design for Pacific Boulevard along the Beach Neighbourhood frontage, from Seymour to Homer, as outlined in Appendix A. This report also recommends that bike-lanes be implemented on Pacific and Expo Boulevards, connecting Richards to the Adanac Bikeway.

BACKGROUND

Pacific Boulevard Urban Design Review

On May 2, 2002, Council adopted the Preferred Schematic Design for Pacific Boulevard and approved a budget for a consultant and associated resources to finalize the designs for Pacific Boulevard from Burrard to Nelson Street. The report noted that the first phase of implementation of the proposed plan would be the Beach Neighbourhood frontages from Homer to Seymour, as streetworks will need to be completed in the fall of 2002, to accommodate the residential development underway in this area.

Subsequently, staff retained the expertise of Allan Jacobs and Elizabeth Macdonald (Cityworks), to oversee the development of the detailed geometric and landscape plans for the first phase of this project. A local landscape architect, Stacy Moriarty, was chosen to complete the detailed landscape plans and tree planting details to achieve large, closely spaced trees.

Implementation Of Bike Lanes

In 1998 Pacific Boulevard was identified in the Transportation Plan as a street that has potential for increased priority for cyclists and pedestrians.

In the BAC's report to Council (June 17, 1998), 24 streets were identified as having potential for painted bicycle lanes. Of these, Pacific Boulevard was one of the top five high priority corridors.

On July 28, 1998, Council approved the resolution that Engineering Services staff work with the Bicycle Network Sub-Committee and with Planning Department staff to investigate the feasibility of painted bicycle lanes on Pacific/Expo Boulevards (in conjunction with the urban design review of Pacific Boulevard and with the Downtown Transportation Plan), with a report back to the Bicycle Advisory Committee and to City Council.

The City of Vancouver's Transportation Plan supports the concept of bicycle lanes. Bicycle lanes on selected arterial street are the recommended facility in both the Downtown Transportation Plan and the 1999 Bicycle Plan.

DISCUSSION

Geometric Design

The Beach Neighbourhood frontage (Seymour to Homer) will consist of a 7.5 m. (24.6 foot) wide multi-way boulevard on the south side, with a 3.0 m.(10 foot) wide treed centre median as shown in Appendix A. There is also a 1.8 m.(6 foot) wide treed side median on the south side which separates the moving lanes of traffic from the side-boulevard or access road. The side-boulevard will be an area for parked cars and pedestrians, and will include a 1.8 m. (6 foot) wide lane for cyclists and in-line skaters.

The multi-way boulevard concept is especially suited to residential frontages such as Beach Neighbourhood, as a buffer is created between moving traffic and the buildings, providing a "calmed" access to the residences. Marked and painted 1.6 m. wide bike lanes will also be added to the north and south sides of Pacific Boulevard, to meet the needs of commuter cyclists.

As the section from Seymour to Homer needs to be completed this fall to meet Concord's construction schedule, this portion will be implemented first.

Tree Species

The design team has narrowed the choices for tree species, with the advantages and disadvantages noted as follows:

Median Tree Advantages Disadvantages
Ginko Tree 50-80 feet tall Slow growing

Dawn Redwood 70-100 feet tall Prefers moist soil

Curbside Tree Advantages Disadvantages
Norway Maple 40-50 feet tall

European Hornbeam 40-60 feet tall Medium to slow growing

European Beech 50-60 feet tall Prefers rich soil

Sawtooth Oak 40-60 feet tall Prefers moist, well-drained

The trees are to be spaced 15 to 18 feet apart. Structural soil will likely be used below the sidewalks to provide both structural support for the sidewalks, and to allow air, water and nutrients to reach the root zone. The trees in the Beach Neighbourhood will be planted in continuous grass strips along the curb-side and in the street medians. This design supports the residential character of this portion of Pacific Boulevard, and provides an environment to allow the trees to grow to the mature size envisioned in the concept plan. Staff will also explore the use of a porous pavement for the new sidewalks and other pedestrian areas. This would allow air and water to reach the tree roots.

The consultants and staff will continue to review tree species, along with the availability of cultivars, and will report back to Council in September with a definitive species for the centre and side medians and sidewalks. It should be noted that to tie the design of the street together and to provide continuity, the chosen tree species will be used throughout the entire length of the project, from the Burrard to the Cambie Bridges. Staff will also report back at that time on the details of the street furniture and lighting to be used.

Public Open House

A Public Open House was held on July 6, 2002 at the Roundhouse Community Centre, where the concept plans for this phase were shown. About 40-50 people reviewed the displays and nine individuals filled out the comment sheets. Most people support the multiway boulevard plan for the blocks between Seymour and Homer, but have no clear preference for tree species in the medians and sidewalk. Generally, people noted the following:

· transplant the existing sidewalk trees (Pin Oaks) and use a different tree species that would provide more seasonal colour
· plant trees that grow as quickly as possible
· avoid species that result in sap/seeds
· use cobblestone or pavers rather than concrete
· use native plant species

Implementation of Pacific Boulevard Design

If Council approves the conceptual design shown in Appendix A, staff will advise Concord that the revised plan for Pacific Boulevard between Seymour and Homer is to be implemented. Staff believe that the revised design, incorporating a multi-way boulevard, represents a significant improvement to Concord's Beach neighbourhood frontage, and will provide a direct benefit to the future residents on these blocks.

Concord have completed a very preliminary review of the additional costs of design and construction for the revised design, and have indicated that the new design will cost approximately an additional $550,000 (over the previously approved design) to construct. They note that although they have been involved and supportive of the results of the urban design review of Pacific Boulevard, and specifically the conceptual design for the Beach neighbourhood frontage, they are not willing to contribute additional funds to achieve the revised design.

Staff believe that a sharing of the additional costs needs to be negotiated in order to recognize the substantial benefits which flow to Concord.

Concord will have their consultant complete a detailed design and cost estimate of the revised design. Staff will carry-out a detailed review of this information, and will report back to Council in September on final cost implications and arrangements, as part of the report on the detailed design.

Implementation of Bike Lanes

Advantages of painted bike lanes on Pacific Boulevard

· The street is very wide compared to other downtown streets.

· There would be no duplication of an existing route. (The area is presently deficient in bike routes.)

· Existing parking areas will not be significantly affected.

· A very logical link for the existing bicycle network.

Staff believe that the implementation of painted bicycle lanes on Pacific Boulevard can precede the further implementation of the Downtown Transportation Plan. Travel lanes will be narrowed slightly in order to allow bike lanes to be introduced. In a few instances parking will be removed but this is often accompanied by benefits to traffic and transit.

A design has been developed for striped bike-lanes on Pacific/Expo Boulevards from Richards east to connect to the Adanac Bikeway. This design is supported by the Bicycle Advisory Committee and has been publicly reviewed in both the Downtown Transportation Plan Open Houses, and the North-East False Creek Development Plan. It is recommended that striped bike-lanes be implemented at this time between the Cambie Bridge and the Adanac Bikeway at a cost of $25,000.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The arrangements for the funding of the final design and construction of Pacific Boulevard between Seymour and Homer, will be reported to Council in September.

The implementation of bike lanes on Pacific and Expo Boulevards, connecting Richards to the Adanac bikeway, will be funded from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group SCA2E-UNAP (Bicycle Network).

CONCLUSION

Staff recommend that Council approve the conceptual plan for Pacific Boulevard along the Beach Neighbourhood frontage as shown in Appendix A. Staff will report back with a detailed design, including the identification of tree species and street furniture, along with detailed cost estimates and funding sources.

Staff also recommend that bike lanes be implemented on Pacific and Expo Boulevards, connecting Richards to the Adanac Bikeway, and that $25,000 be provided from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group SCA2E-UNAP (Bicycle Network) to complete this work.

* * * * *

LINK TO APPENDIX A

csb020801revised.htm

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