CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER TRAFFIC COMMISSION
September 26, 1996
A Regular meeting of the Vancouver Traffic Commission was held on
Thursday, September 26, 1996, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Committee
Room No.1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Bellamy, Chair
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Clarke (Sick Leave)
MANAGER'S
REPRESENTATIVE: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of
Engineering Services
CLERK: Denise Salmon
POWER TO ACT
On January 19, 1994, the Council, by the required majority, granted
this Commission Power to Act on all unanimous decisions. All decisions
of the Commission contained herein were unanimous and, therefore, stand
approved.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Vancouver Traffic Commission meeting of July 25,
1996, were adopted as circulated.
1. BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route Upgrade File: 5553-6
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated
September 10, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services recommends rerouting and upgrading portions of the
BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route, where it exists on City Streets.
Approval is also sought for the addition of three new cyclist actuated
signals to aid in the crossing of arterial streets.
cont'd
Clause No. 1 cont'd
Mr. Doug Louie, Transportation Engineer, with the aid of a diagram,
highlighted the portions of the route north of Clark Drive and 6th
Avenue to be relocated along 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues. He further
advised since its completion in 1986, the majority of complaints have
related to inadequate signage and the uncomfortable routing along Clark
Drive and Terminal Avenue. It is proposed to undertake on-street and
signage improvements with the assistance of the Provincial Cycling
Network Program.
In consultation with the Bicycle Network Subcommittee, the
following improvements to better serve cyclists were identified:
- relocate the route from Terminal Avenue to 7th Avenue
- install three new pedestrian/bicycle signals
- install cyclist push buttons on four existing signals
- install standard bicycle route signage along the route -
from Boundary Road to False Creek
Also before the Commission was a communication dated September 26,
1996, from Mr. David Gillanders (Stikeman, Elliott), Solicitor for
Southland Canada Inc. requesting deferral until Southland has reviewed
this matter. Southland has contractual rights it wants to ensure are
protected.
Mr. Louie advised final details will be discussed with (7-Eleven)
to ensure the Agreement between Southland, B.C. Parkway and B.C. Transit
is respected.
* * *
On a related topic a Commission member enquired if bicycle racks
could be installed along the pathway under the SkyTrain at Commercial
Drive to ease the congestion of those cyclists currently using the
railings adjacent the Croatian Centre at 15th and Commercial Drive.
Engineering staff advised the destination of the majority of cyclists is
the Farmer's Market, which is located too far from the City's public
right-of-way to make installation of bike racks practical at this
location.
* * *
Mr. John Popowich, Joyce Street Crime Prevention Office member,
supported the recommendations of the General Manager of Engineering
Services. He also highlighted the residents' support for the
long-awaited signal at Rupert and Vanness.
cont'd
Clause No. 1 cont'd
Mr. John Wright, Vice-Chair, Bicycle Advisory Committee spoke in
support of the recommended improvements to the BC Parkway Bicycle Route.
In answer to questions from the Commission, Engineering staff
advised the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route will connect to the
Off-Broadway Route at Ontario. A direct, straight route is desirable,
although occasional no-through streets have necessitated jogs along some
its sections.
The following motions by Councillor Sullivan were put and CARRIED.
The Commission, therefore,
RESOLVED,
A. THAT the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route be upgraded and the
portion north of Clark Drive and 6th Avenue be relocated along 5th,
6th and 7th Avenues, at a total cost of $234,300; the sources of
funds are the $50,000 previously approved by Council, $100,000 from
the Provincial Government, $55,000 from the Streets Basic Capital
Unappropriated (Bicycle Network) Account #12/31/6903/999 and
$29,300 from the Adanac Bikeway Account #14/02/5573/999.
B. THAT the signal maintenance budget be increased by $6,000 without
offset, for the maintenance of three new cyclists/pedestrian
signals proposed in this upgrade, starting in 1997, subject to the
normal budget review process.
2. Guidelines for Public Involvement Process File: 5551-3
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated
September 11, 1996, (on file), in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services recommends approval of public participation process
guidelines to ensure ample opportunity is provided for public discussion
on future neighbourhood traffic projects.
Mr. Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation, advised
these guidelines will provide consistency to those tools such as advance
notice signs, open houses, and public surveys that currently provide
opportunities for citizen involvement at a city-wide level. The
guidelines will also avoid acceleration of a project to completion,
which in the past has allowed too little time for full public
discussion, or involvement of too few residents. Mr. Adam further
advised judgement would come into play when defining notification
boundaries, as set out in the guidelines, for some projects.
cont'd
Clause No. 2 cont'd
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and CARRIED.
The Commission, therefore,
RESOLVED,
THAT the communication guidelines, as amended this day, and
attached as Appendix A be followed for public input for future
neighbourhood traffic projects.
3. Selection of "Local Traffic" Signs File: 5761-3
As previously requested, Mr. Adam presented for the Commission's
information and input two sign options for display in neighbourhoods
indicating "local traffic". The signs read "local traffic area" and
"traffic calmed area". They will initially be installed in the Mt.
Pleasant area, with a follow-up survey requesting input from citizens.
It was noted similar signs are currently used in Burnaby as well as
Portland and Seattle.
Two specific comments were made regarding the signs -- the "local
traffic area" could mistakenly indicate to motorists a no-exit street,
and the addition of people motifs may improve the "traffic calmed area"
sign.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and CARRIED.
The Commission, therefore,
RESOLVED,
THAT the presentation of "Local Traffic" signs prepared by
Engineering Services staff be received for information.
4. Cypress Street File: 5762-6
The Chair advised, due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the
Cypress Street traffic issue, he agreed to hear verbal presentations
from citizens of the Cypress Street area. No staff report refers.
cont'd
Clause No. 4 cont'd
Ms. Sue Wisener, Cypress Area Residents Group (brief filed), noted
the issue of commuter traffic short-cutting through her neighbourhood
has been before the Engineering staff for three years without
resolution. She added new businesses on Cypress have created additional
traffic and the lack of an arterial connection at Burrard and Cornwall
forces vehicles to use Cypress. In addition, developers have been
granted double sided parking, although denied to residents. She
requested the following three steps be taken to help resolve this issue:
- Arterial Connection: Left turn bay from Burrard to Cornwall;
- Further Arterial Connection: Left turn bay from Burrard Northbound
to 4th Avenue westbound, including appropriate signage; and
- Traffic Calming (addition of parking to east side of Cypress)
Ms. Theresa Thompson, Cypress Area Residents Group (brief filed),
requested Councillors enact an immediate plan to address the commuter
traffic short-cutting through her neighbourhood. She highlighted the
following issues:
- Need for arterial connections:
- primarily at Burrard and Cornwall;
- secondarily at Burrard and 4th, which has peak hour
restriction
- Inappropriate designation of Cypress Street as a collector for Kits
Point and destinations west
She also noted Engineering's suggested $1.5 million worth of
auxiliary left-turn bays on Burrard would further direct traffic onto
residential streets, and increase the capacity of the road system, in
total opposition to both City Plan and the Transportation Plan.
Distributed for the Commission's information were letters of support
from the principal and parents of Henry Hudson School, MacMillan
Planetarium, Vancouver Museum and Maritime Museum.
Commission members acknowledged the special circumstances
encountered by area residents in light of the hold on the Burrard Bridge
issue. However, it was also necessary to ensure more problems would not
be created by carrying out the residents requests prior to surveying the
neighbourhood. It was agreed to follow the "Guidelines for Public
Involvement Process" prepared by Engineering staff and received for
information earlier this day.
cont'd
Clause No. 4 cont'd
Mr. Adam advised the survey could be sent to residents within the
next few weeks, once the wording is finalized. A report would then be
prepared and forwarded to the Commission six to eight weeks after
distribution of the survey. Construction could commence by next summer.
The residents contended Engineering's survey should address only the
issue of the Burrard/Cornwall connector and possible downgrading of
Cypress. Engineering staff confirmed the connector issue would be a
main focus of the survey, although other questions would be asked.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and CARRIED.
The Commission, therefore,
RESOLVED,
THAT the verbal presentations from the Cypress Area Residents Group
be received for information.
5. Other Business
a) Provincial Government -
HOV Lane Standards
Councillor Chiavario requested either an update or report back
on provincial government HOV lanes, specifically the number of
people permitted per vehicle. She further enquired if motorcycles
and taxis are now permitted to use HOV lanes.
Mr. Adam advised tabs would be added to the City's HOV signs
indicating "motorcycles permitted". It was also noted
Barnet/Hastings is the only Provincial project to permit two
persons per vehicle. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways
currently favours three, although Highway 99 currently requires six
vehicle occupants.
Councillor Sullivan also requested an update on the status of
the 401 Highway and any other HOV lanes planned for entering the
City.
* * *
The Commission adjourned at approximately 8:20 p.m.
* * *