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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
January 6, 2004 | |
Author: |
David Rawsthorne | |
Phone No.: |
604-873-7343 | |
RTS No.: |
03557 | |
CC File No.: |
5762 | |
Meeting Date: |
January 29, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services |
SUBJECT: |
West 33rd Avenue Street Improvements, Arbutus to Angus, and;
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A. THAT the changes to West 33rd Avenue shown on Figures 1, 2 and 3, as well as other cycling improvements and traffic calming measures outlined in this report, be implemented at an estimated total cost of $960,000, with a $595,000 contribution from the developer of Arbutus Gardens and the remaining balance of $365,000 to be funded as follows:
· $265,000 allocated from Community Amenity Contributions generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue, and;
· $100,000 provided from Streets Basic Capital Account SCA4A-UNAP, Arterial Improvements Unappropriated (Account #30003217).
B. THAT Council allocate $190,000 in Community Amenity Contributions generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens) to future pedestrian and cycling improvements and traffic calming on neighbouring local, residential streets, subject to report back by staff.
C. THAT commencing in 2005, the Traffic Operating Budget be increased by $2,000 subject to review as part of the 2005 Operating Budget.
In May 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan which:
· directed that the growth in demand for transportation be accommodated by improving alternatives to the car, including walking and cycling
· identified a number of Secondary Arterial streets, including West 33rd Avenue, which should be considered for reclassification as Collector streets
· established that traffic calming will expand to include Collector streets
· identified the need for improved pedestrian facilities
· identified the need to raise awareness of and visibility of cycling facilities by using pavement markings such as bike logos and painted bike lanes
In July 2002, Council established that Community Amenity Contributions from the rezoning of 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens) be divided equally between Engineering Services and Park Board projects.
This report seeks the following:
· allocation of a portion of the Community Amenity Contributions from 1925 West 33rd Avenue(Arbutus Gardens), and;
· approval and funding for changes to West 33rd Avenue between Arbutus Street and Angus Drive, and;
· approval and funding of neighbourhood traffic calming and cycling improvements.
The changes recommended for West 33rd include the addition of new sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic calming, improvements to parking and repairs to existing pavement. This plan was developed by staff and reflects input from local residents, Park Board and the developer of Arbutus Gardens.
West 33rd Avenue, between Arbutus Street and Pine Crescent, is a two lane strip pavement with gravel shoulders used for parking, no curbs and a concrete sidewalk on the south side of the street only. The pavement condition is extremely poor. To the north, this stretch of 33rd is bounded by the Arbutus Gardens development site and by Quilchena Park, and to the south by fourteen single-family detached homes. This section is anchored to the west by a signalized intersection at Arbutus Street and to the east by the Arbutus Corridor rail right-of-way.
Between Pine Crescent and Angus Drive, West 33rd is curbed and paved, has sidewalks on both sides. This block has single-family detached homes on both sides and is anchored to the west by the Arbutus Corridor rail right-of-way and to the east by the Cypress Bikeway on Angus Drive.
The full length from Arbutus to Angus has mature boulevard trees of various species.
In 1997, West 33rd Avenue was identified in the City of Vancouver Transportation Plan as one of several Secondary Arterial streets in the city which should be considered for re-designation as Collector streets. These streets currently have relatively low traffic volumes and pass through predominantly residential areas. As Collectors, their role would be to provide access for the neighbourhood to the arterial road network. Staff are currently working on a pilot program for the Collector initiative which will develop a framework for the redevelopment of these streets.
In 1998, the City approved the rezoning of the residential block bounded by West 33rd Avenue, Arbutus Street and Valley Drive. As a condition of the rezoning, the developer of the site committed to "improvements to West 33rd Avenue between Arbutus Street and Valley Drive including but not limited to construction of pavement, curbs and gutters and sidewalks". In addition, the developer committed to providing Community Amenity Contributions (CAC) in the order of $1.8 million. In July 2002, Council approved a report allocating $900,000 of the total $906,675 of CAC funds contributed at that time. That report also proposed an allocation of subsequent funding for 33rd Avenue street improvements and for neighbourhood traffic calming. Subsequently, the City has received the balance of the CAC funding, $903,937.
In July 2002, Council established the policy that Community Amenity Contributions from the rezoning of 1925 West 33rd Avenue be divided equally between Engineering Services and Park Board.
In February 2003, Council approved a number of traffic calming measures and cycling improvements for the neighbourhood surrounding Arbutus Gardens. These speed humps, corner bulges, traffic circles and cyclist push buttons were installed in 2003. The CAC allocation which funded this work also funded the construction of sidewalk infill in this neighbourhood.
In November 2003, Park Board approved a plan for improvements to Quilchena Park. This work is scheduled to be completed in 2004, with funding from Community Amenity Contributions approved by Council in July 2002.
This portion of West 33rd Avenue will be the first street of its kind to be redeveloped since the adoption of the initiative to reclassify a number of low-volume arterial streets. As such, it presents an opportunity to demonstrate improved pedestrian and cycling facilities on a residential through street.
In developing a plan for the reconstruction of this section of 33rd, staff established the following goals:
· to provide narrow traffic lanes to encourage lower vehicle speeds
· to provide for safe and comfortable cycling
· to provide a safe and enjoyable pedestrian environment
· to retain existing mature trees and maximize green space in the street
Staff have developed a conceptual plan for 33rd, from Arbutus to Angus, which meets these goals. It includes:
· one westbound and one eastbound travel lanes for vehicles,
· eastbound and westbound bicycle lanes,
· new sidewalk on the north side of 33rd,
· new curbs on the north and south sides of 33rd,
· curb bulges at all intersections,
· parking to meet the needs of residents, visitors and park users,
· retention of all existing boulevard trees.
The details of this plan are shown on Figures 1, 2 and 3.
In July 2003, Engineering staff hosted an information meeting for residents of West 33rd Avenue (see Appendix A). This was followed by a letter outlining the elements of the proposal with a copy of plan attached (see Appendix B). The invitation and subsequent letter were delivered to all 20 homes which abut this section of 33rd. Response to the proposal has been either positive or neutral. Staff have made revisions to the plan in response to resident feedback, and have heard no opposition to the plan.
Engineering and Park Board staff have coordinated the proposed work on West 33rd Avenue with the improvements planned for Quilchena Park.
In addition to the work proposed on 33rd Avenue, two other neighbourhood amenities are recommended: cyclist push buttons at Arbutus and Valley and a traffic circle at the intersection of Pine and 35th, as outlined below.
To supplement the cyclist improvements being proposed on 33rd, staff recommend the addition of cyclist push buttons to the existing pedestrian activated traffic signal at Arbutus Street and Valley Drive. This will improve cycling connections between the Shaughnessy/Kerrisdale and Kitsilano neighbourhoods and will aid in the eventual development of a bike route along Trafalgar Street and Valley Drive.
A traffic circle at the intersection of Pine and 35th is proposed to address traffic concerns of Pine Street residents. Its installation is subject to neighbourhood approval.
In addition to the work proposed in this report, staff are investigating further pedestrian and cycling enhancements in the neighbourhood surrounding the development site, including:
· a bike route along Valley Drive and Trafalgar Street to better connect to Kitsilano and the Seaside, Off-Broadway and 10th Avenue bike routes and to 16th and King Edward Avenues
· bicycle lanes on West 33rd Avenue to the west of Arbutus Street
· additional sidewalk infill
All of the work of this project is scheduled to be constructed in 2004. Sewer construction on this section of West 33rd is planned for spring 2004. Street construction work will follow the completion of that work.
A total of $1,810,612 of Community Amenity Contributions has been generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue. $900,000 has previously been allocated. Staff recommend the allocation of 50% of the remaining funds, $455,000, to the following Engineering projects:
· $250,000 to pedestrian, cycling and streetscape improvements for West 33rd Avenue,
· $15,000 to cycling improvements and traffic calming measures outlined in this report,
· $190,000 to future pedestrian and cycling improvements and traffic calming on neighbouring local, residential streets.
This allocation is consistent with the tentative allocation approved by Council in July 2002.
Staff will report to Council later this year with recommendations for the allocation of the remaining Community Amenity Contributions.
The estimated costs of the components of the work on West 33rd Avenue are as follows:
Arbutus and West 33rd Intersection, Signal Modifications |
50,000 |
West 33rd Ave, Arbutus to Valley reconstruction and enhancements |
545,000 |
West 33rd Ave, Valley to Pine street reconstruction |
95,000 |
West 33rd Ave, Valley to Pine street enhancements |
250,000 |
West 33rd Ave, Pine to Angus |
5,000 |
Total |
$ 945,000 |
The estimated costs of the other proposed work items are as follows:
Arbutus Street and Valley Drive, cyclist push buttons |
5,000 |
Pine Street and West 35th Avenue, traffic circle |
10,000 |
Total |
$ 15,000 |
The total cost of the work proposed is $ 960,000. Funding of the improvements on West 33rd between Arbutus and Valley/Cypress by the developer will reduce the City's cost to $365,000.
Funding of $365,000 is available as follows:
Community Amenity Contributions, West 33rd Street Improvements |
250,000 |
Community Amenity Contributions, Cycling and Traffic Calming |
15,000 |
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated - Arterial Improvements |
100,000 |
Total |
$ 365,000 |
The annual Traffic Operating Budget will require an increase of $2,000 to support these street improvements.
This report recommends that $455,000 of over $1.8 million of Community Amenity Contributions from the rezoning of 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens) be allocated to the reconstruction of West 33rd Avenue between Arbutus Street and Angus Drive and to cycling enhancements and traffic calming in the surrounding neighbourhood. It further recommends that this section of West 33rd be rebuilt to enhance the pedestrian and cycling environments as well as the streetscape.
ATTACHMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ELECTRONIC COPY ARE AVAILABLE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
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