Vancouver City Council |
MOTION ON NOTICE
Grandview-Woodlands Traffic Plan
MOVER: Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDER: Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS:
1. The City of Vancouver's Transportation Plan encourages traffic calming measures for pedestrian friendly areas of the City of Vancouver
2. Since Grandview-Woodlands is a natural model neighbourhood to protect and preserve on the basis of an established, pedestrian first initiative. This neighbourhood has a committed pedestrian resident population, the last remaining family owned and operated small business economy in the City of Vancouver, and a united coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations have been asking to be a pedestrian first community since 1985 (Report to Council from the Standing Committee on Transportation June 20th, 1985)
3. Mid-1980's traffic engineering changes that altered First Avenue to become the primary arterial that it is today cut East-West through the heart of this neighbourhood, thus dividing the community into two
4. Traffic on Venables-Victoria, as a result of these changes, cuts across entrances to Grandview, Victoria and Woodlands parks, and the Britannia Community Centre
5. Traffic on Venables-Victoria, as a further result of these changes, cuts across entrances to 4 area schools: Britannia Elementary School, Britannia High School, Lord Nelson and St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School
6. Local resident groups have been working since 1998 to develop a comprehensive traffic plan for the area bounded by Parker St., First Ave., Victoria Dr. and Nanaimo St.
7. Over the course of the past year, there has been an increase in the number of pedestrian related accidents in the Grandview-Woodlands area, including one pedestrian fatality
8. Much of the through traffic in Grandview-Woodlands can be traced to eastbound and westbound traffic from Venables using Victoria Drive and the neighbourhood as a means to cut through to 1st Avenue
9. Residents, merchants and key organizations have clearly and regularly requested that the intersection of Clark-Venables be redesigned to reduce traffic, improve pedestrian safety, preserve pedestrian access, and preserve the unique character of Grandview-Woodlands
10. A redesign of the Clark-Venables intersection to include a curb bulge on the south side of Venables, east of Clark, would reduce peak eastbound traffic flow into the Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood, and encourage commuters to use Clark instead
11. Grandview-Woodlands Area would see these initiatives as the beginning of a multi-step plan to making their community a model of a pedestrian first community in Vancouver.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. As the first phase of a multi-step pedestrian first plan, Victoria Drive be downgraded from secondary arterial to local collector status
2. a temporary curb bulge be installed for six months on a trial basis on the south east side of Venables, east of Clark, to reduce eastbound traffic through the Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood and maintain the pedestrian friendly character of Grandview-Woodlands
3. staff report back on items 1 and 2 in six months with further measures to reduce commuter traffic through Grandview -Woodland Neighbourhood.
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