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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 30, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Fred Bass, Chair |
ABSENT: |
Councillor Jim Green (Leave of Absence – Civic Business) |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Pat Boomhower, Meeting Coordinator |
* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 428 East 34th Avenue - Warning to Prospective Purchasers (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 18, 2004, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council direct a 336D notice be filed against 428 East 34th Avenue in order to warn prospective purchasers of by-law violations in relation to the property. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection, provided an overview of the report noting that a 1997 336D Notice filed against the same property could now be removed as deficiencies referred to in that Notice have been rectified.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 428 East 34th Avenue, Lot 10 Block 2, District Lot 636, Plan 1902 PID 014-234-238 in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are two unauthorized dwelling units in the basement of this building in contravention of the Zoning and Development, Vancouver Building and Electrical By-laws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Completion of the Ridgeway Greenway - West Extension (File 5340)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 16, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of City Plans sought Council approval for the routing of the Ridgeway Greenway between Puget Drive and 31st Avenue to Quesnel Drive and King Edward Avenue (described as Sub-area 3 in Appendix A of the aforementioned report.
Doug Smith, Structures and Greenways Engineer, provided an overview of the report, public consultation and reasons for the selection of routes A and G described in Appendix B of the report. Mr. Smith noted upon approval of the routing, staff will go back to the community regarding developing details of the route improvements.
Mr. Smith, together with Sandy James, Greenways/Projects Planner, responded to questions on changes in elevation of the potential routes and reasons staff had originally recommended Route C in 1998.
Mark Skorah spoke in favour of Route C, expressed concern about the public consultation process, and remarked on the length of the rise along the route.
Helen Hunt, Collen Froese and Michael Garry spoke in favour of the Routes A and G. Comments highlighted the scenic views and amenities available to cyclists and pedestrians, residents’ difficulty in deciding one route during the public consultation process, and the relative safety for cyclists on Route G compared with other routes.
Jack Becker, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (V.A.C.C.), spoke in support of Route C, based on staff’s original recommendation and noted that V.A.C.C. liked the approach of a “dual solution” proposed by staff which provides a level cycling route as well as a more direct route along the Ridgeway. Mr. Becker also highlighted criteria for making a road a ‘greenway’ and recommended that the V.A.C.C. be involved in the consultation process for its design.
Mr. Smith together with Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, and Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, responded to questions from Council on:
· accidents crossing King Edward at Quesnel Drive and Quesnel Drive as a secondary arterial;
· benefits and challenges of different routes;
· traffic volumes on Puget Drive, Quesnel Drive and King Edward Avenue;
· modifications required and costs to do Routes C and G versus Routes A and G; and
· having the Bicycle Advisory Committee involved in the consultation.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the Ridgeway Greenway – West Extension as a dual route corridor identified in the Administrative Report dated November 16, 2004, entitled “Completion of the Ridgeway Greenway - West Extension” as Route C and Route G.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. West 4th Avenue Cycling Improvements, Blanca Street to N.W. Marine Drive
(File 5553)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 28, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval and funding to implement cycling improvements on West 4th Avenue, between Blanca Street and N.W. Marine Drive, in coordination with a repaving of the street, and sought approval for the extension of the bike route to Drummond Drive (University of B.C.) in the west and Highbury Street to the east with connections north to the Seaside Bikeway and south to the Off-Broadway Bikeway.
Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, provided an overview of the report and noted that residents along the extensions will be consulted. Mr. Hall also noted in addition to the cycling facilities, corner bulges at Sasamat Street are proposed to enhance pedestrian crossing conditions.
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the cycling improvements on West 4th Avenue, between Blanca Street and N.W. Marine Drive, be implemented as detailed in the Administrative Report dated October 28, 2004, entitled “West 4th Avenue Cycling Improvements, Blanca Street to N.W. Marine Drive”.
B. THAT the cycling route be extended to Drummond Street (University of B.C.) to the west and on 4th Avenue to Highbury Street in the east with connections north to the Seaside Bike route and south to the Off-Broadway Bike route subject to consultation about design details with neighbours abutting the route.
C. THAT the estimated cost of $350,000 for the cycling improvements be provided with $175,000 from the 2004 Streets Basic Capital for Bicycle Network and $175,000 cost sharing from the 2005 TransLink Bicycle Program.
D. THAT the estimated cost of $50,000 for the pedestrian bulges at 4th Avenue and Sasamat Street be provided from the 2004 Streets Basic Capital for Arterial Improvements: Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings.
E. THAT commencing in 2006, the Traffic Operations Budget for Signage be increased by $3,000, without offset and subject to the 2006 Budget review.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Woodsworth and the Mayor absent for the vote)
4. Traffic Calming Plan for Fairview Heights (File 5757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 3, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval to implement the Fairview Heights “modified” traffic calming plan.
Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, introduced Sara McKittrick, a new Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer with the City. Ms. McKittrick provided an overview of the report and highlighted the public consultation process.
The following speakers expressed concerns related to the proposed “modified” traffic calming plan:
Malcolm Harvey
June Binkert, Save Our Parkland Association (brief filed)
Terry Love
Richard Campbell, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (brief filed)
Quirine Schuyff (brief filed)
Jack Becker, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (brief filed)
A summary of their comments follows:
· concern of residents and cyclists about the already high traffic volumes on Heather Street increasing if Willow Street is closed;
· speeding less of an issue compared to volume;
· the closure of Willow Street should be permanent because its contribution to the park and public benefit;
· recommended to ensure the portion of Willow Street closed for the “wellness walkway” to be bicycle friendly;
· support for the diverter at 12th Avenue and Heather Street;
· opposed to the “modified” Traffic Calming Plan and requested looking for a compromise to the plan;
· concern about the low response rate to the neighbourhood survey;
· concern about traffic volume on 14th Avenue and hope that it not be used as an alternate route;
· surprised at no mention of ‘no left turn’ signs on Cambie or Oak Streets to curb traffic from entering the neighbourhood during rush hours;
· diagonal diverter at 13th Avenue and Ash Street could impact access to garages on 13th;
· suggested adding a right in/right out diverter at 13th and 14th Avenues on the west side of Cambie Street to reduce traffic, and that traffic circles, speed bumps and the proposed diverters at Ash Street do little to curb traffic coming in;
· extra parking on 13th Avenue could make it harder for cyclists and cars to share the road;
· more needs to be done to encourage cycling on Heather Street and its development as a bike route;
· as an opportunity to upgrade bikeways, concerned about the consultation process with cyclists; and
· traffic circle design as it relates to safety.
Ms. McKittrick together with Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, Tom Phipps, Planner, Major Projects Group, Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, and Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, responded to questions from Council regarding:
· underground parking beneath the future park site and the ambulatory care building;
· traffic volumes on Heather Street and the traffic range/guide considered for a bike route;
· bicycle count on Heather Street and consultation with cyclists and Bicycle Advisory Committee;
· right in/right out diverter options and balancing a package of traffic calming measures;
· the open space issue in the neighbourhood;
· the trial period assessment and process;
· timing of the closure of Willow Street and construction in the area;
· consideration of ‘No Left Turn’ during rush hour at Cambie and Oak Streets; and
· funding contribution from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve the Fairview Heights “modified” traffic calming plan as described in the Administrative Report dated November 3, 2004, entitled “Traffic Calming Plan for Fairview Heights” with the addition of a right-in /right-out diverter at Heather Street and 12th Avenue for northbound traffic and a right-in/right-out diverter at Laurel and 16th Avenue for southbound traffic, including appropriate design refinements by staff as required.
B. THAT the total costs of the closure of 2800 block of Willow Street be borne by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority; further, that 75% ($97,500) of the remaining traffic calming measures, estimated at $130,000, be recovered from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the remaining 25% ($32,500) be allocated from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account for Local Area Traffic Improvement (SCA5A-UNAP).
C. THAT the Willow Street closure be installed on a trial basis for a period of no less than six months and traffic monitoring be undertaken to ensure there is not an unacceptable transfer of traffic.
D. THAT following the trial period, a follow-up survey be conducted with the affected residents to determine whether the Willow Street closure should be installed on a permanent basis and whether modifications to the plan are required.
E. THAT the Traffic Operations Budget for Signage be increased by $600, without offset and subject to 2006 Budget Review, for the maintenance of the new traffic measures, commencing in 2006.
CARRIED UANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Stevenson and the Mayor absent for the vote)
5. Award of Contract - Citywide Noise Study (File 1805)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 8, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval to award Wakefield Acoustics Ltd. the contract to conduct a study on Traffic Noise Levels and Traffic Composition on Arterial Roads.
Peter Navratil, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer gave an overview of the report and noted the study’s objectives include providing a basis to build a noise management strategy. Mr. Navratil also noted staff will report back next summer once the study is completed, and plan to bring forward the majority of the results of the Clark/Knight Corridor analysis in the new year.
Mr. Navratil, together with Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, June Christy, Neighbourhood Centres Planner, and Patrick Ryan, Traffic Management Engineer, responded to questions regarding timing of the study, land use policy implications, consistency across the city, assessment of pavement types, and amount of noise on Burrard Bridge.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. That Council approve awarding the contract for undertaking a Traffic Noise Composition Study to Wakefield Acoustics Ltd, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services, at an estimated cost of $64,000, including GST and disbursements; funding to be provided from existing Operating Budgets in the Strategic Transportation cost centre (cc 32100).
B. That the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to enter into a Professional Services Agreement contract with Wakefield Acoustics Ltd in consultation with the Director of Legal Services.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Stevenson and the Mayor absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
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