A7
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: October 1, 1996
Dept. File No. 739184
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
Director of Community Planning
SUBJECT: Ridgeway Greenway - Design between
Granville and Oak Streets, and at Ontario Street
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the proposed bulges between Granville and Oak Streets
and the proposed right-out diverter at Granville Street not
be constructed.
B. THAT the proposed closure of a half block of Ontario Street
south of 37th Avenue not be constructed.
C. THAT a traffic circle with corner bulges be constructed at
the intersection of Ontario Street and 37th Avenue.
D. THAT the Streets Maintenance Budget be increased by $500
without offset, for the maintenance of the traffic circle
proposed in this design, starting in 1997.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 18, 1995, Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan. On
this date Council also approved the selection of the portion of the
Ridgeway Greenway on 37th Avenue between Granville and Knight Streets
as the city greenway pilot project.
On June 27, 1996, Council approved the construction of the Ridgeway
Greenway with two exceptions: the boulevard bulges proposed between
Granville and Oak Streets, and the half block closure of Ontario Street
at 37th Avenue. Council directed staff to consult further with the
neighbourhoods affected by these measures and to report back.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the additional
public input staff obtained regarding the design of the Ridgeway
Greenway between Granville and Oak Streets, and at Ontario Street.
This report also recommends actions based on the responses received
from the community.
BACKGROUND
The development of the design for the Ridgeway incorporated an
extensive public process which took place over an eight month period.
A large majority of the people who participated in this process
expressed considerable support for the design. In order to confirm
public support for the proposed traffic improvements, a telephone
survey was conducted by the Angus Reid Group. This survey showed that
the overall support for the greenway among the people surveyed was 85%.
On June 27, 1996, staff reported to Council on the proposed design of
the Ridgeway Greenway. Council approved the construction of the
Ridgeway Greenway with two exceptions:
- The boulevard bulges proposed between Granville and Oak Streets.
Although overall support for the Ridgeway was high, support for
the specific measures proposed between Granville and Oak was quite
divided.
- The half block closure of Ontario Street at 37th Avenue.
69% of the people surveyed supported this closure, however,
several people appeared before Council expressing their concern
about the impact of this closure.
Council directed staff to consult further with the people affected by
these measures and to report back.
Meetings were held on September 7th to discuss the proposals for both
of these areas. The meeting to discuss Granville Street to Oak Street
was held at Vancouver College. Property owners in the area bounded by
Granville to Oak Street, and 33rd Avenue to 41st Avenue were notified
of this meeting in writing. The meeting to discuss Ontario Street was
held at the Riley Park Community Centre. Notification of this meeting
was sent to property owners in the area bounded by Columbia Street to
Main Street, and 33rd Avenue to 41st Avenue. If anyone could not
attend the meeting in their area they were provided with a form they
could fill out and return to staff indicating whether they supported
the proposed measures in their area.
DISCUSSION
Boulevard Bulges - Granville to Oak
The boulevard bulges along this stretch of 37th Avenue were intended to
slow traffic, and make cycling and walking safer and more pleasant.
The concerns raised by the residents about these bulges were that they
would become locations for people to drink and party at night and that
during the day students from the nearby high school would congregate,
eat their lunch, and litter.
The people who attended the public meeting were unanimous in their
opposition to the bulges. The combined response from the September 7th
meeting, mailed-in surveys, and phoned-in replies indicated that 32% of
the respondents were in favour of the proposal and 68% were opposed.
During the public meeting, the right-out diverter at Granville Street
was also raised as a concern. The right-out diverter was intended to
prevent people from using the new traffic signal at Granville Street to
short cut along 37th Avenue. A few people at the meeting felt that
this diverter would be beneficial and would in fact make the
intersection safer. The majority of people at the meeting though were
opposed to the construction of the diverter. People who did not attend
the September meeting were not polled on the diverter.
Based on the strong opposition to these measures, it is recommended
that they do not proceed.
Half Block Closure of Ontario Street South of 37th Avenue
This closure was intended to make the intersection of Ontario and 37th
(which is also the intersection of two bicycle routes) safer for
pedestrians and cyclists. The concern raised by residents about this
closure was that it would limit their access by car to destinations
within their community.
The combined response from the September 7th meeting, mailed-in
surveys, and phoned-in replies indicated that 31% of the respondents
were in favour of the closure and 69% were opposed to it.
Since the primary concern expressed by the residents was the loss of
access along Ontario Street, staff proposed the installation of a
traffic circle with corner bulges as an alternative at the public
meeting. This alternative addresses staff's concern about safety and
at the same time still permits access on Ontario Street. No opposition
to this alternative was expressed.
Based on the strong opposition to the closure of the half block of
Ontario Street, it is recommended that it not be implemented. Instead,
it is recommended that a traffic circle and corner bulges be
constructed at the intersection of Ontario Street and 37th Avenue.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
- Any funds that are not expended, due to the changes in scope
recommended in this report, will be returned for reallocation to
other Greenways projects.
- The traffic circle proposed for Ontario Street and 37th Avenue
will have an annual maintenance cost for repair, landscaping and
signage of approximately $500. It is not appropriate to offset
these costs from other maintenance budgets, therefore, it is
recommended that the overall maintenance budget should be
increased to accomodate the new traffic circle. As an
alternative, if resident volunteers can be encouraged to adopt the
traffic circle and agree to maintain it, then the cost may be
reduced to $100.
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