REPORT TO COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC
JUNE 24, 1997
A Special Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on
Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, June 24, 1997, at
approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Gordon Price, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of
Absence)
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Sick Leave)
Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of
Engineering Services
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Denise Salmon
RECOMMENDATION
1. Transit Service to Fraser Lands,
Riverside and Champlain Heights South File: 5551
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 10,
1997, (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
recommended a transit option that meets the needs of the residents of
Fraser Lands, Riverside and Champlain Heights South.
Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, with the
aid of overheads, provided Council with the history and background of
area since 1985. An overview of the report and outline of current bus
routes, and those proposed for the area, was also provided.
The Chair called for speakers and the following addressed Council:
Nathan Davidowicz
Donalda Reid, Principal, Oppenheimer School
James Dragan
Alex Ma (brief filed)
Helsa Nothof
Jack Hill, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House
Bosco Toa (brief filed)
Peter Horwood, Fraser Arms Riverside Residents Association
Ken Hughes (brief filed)
William F. Kent (brief filed)
Chapman Lim (brief filed)
Sharon Larson
Elizabeth Mabee
Dana Putnam
Sally Teich
Janet Wurzbach
Comments provided by the foregoing are noted below:
Instead of a one-way loop along Rosemont, Kerr, and 54th, the No.
29 Elliott bus should be routed into Champlain Mall to allow for a
turnaround; if acceptable to Champlain Mall this would allow for
two way service on Kerr between 54th and Rosemont, and lessen
confusion for transit riders. In future, this route could be
hooked with the No. 26 to provide for continuous service and access
to Killarney Secondary School and Community Centre, allowing for a
more attractive route with increased ridership. Option B is
supported, with a 6-month review recommended.
Support was voiced for City Plan and its goal of non-reliance on
the automobile. A good percentage of cars creating traffic jams
throughout Oppenheimer's school day come from the Fraser Lands
area; a bus route would help ease this situation, as well as assist
those who must walk or push baby carriages up the steep grade to
reach the school. Service is required beyond the 9:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m "rush hours".
Some Fraserview Drive residents have lived in the area since the
proposed route was first rejected in 1985, and many new people,
some with homes valued in excess of one million dollars are once
again faced with the prospect of a bus route on their street. It
was suggested the route be diverted from Fraserview Drive utilizing
Victoria Drive and 54th Avenue.
Opposed to routing of bus along Fraserview Drive, with the
following alternate route recommended: from 54th and Victoria, via
54th, Elliott, Muirfield, Fraserview to Nanaimo; returning via
Nanaimo, Scarboro, Muirfield, Elliott and 54th to Victoria, down to
S.E. Marine Drive.
Extension of the No. 29 Elliott will impact directly on the
Fraserview community, which already has adequate bus service. The
Fraser Lands residential community was built without thought for
transit, and responsibility to provide it should be shared equally
by the City and developers. Buses have difficulty with the grade
on Nanaimo during extreme winter conditions, and the proposed
Elliott bus extension along Fraserview Drive would be unsafe during
such conditions. It was also noted the majority of elementary
school children are transported to and from school for safety
reasons; provision of a school bus would provide a similar safe
environment. A shuttle bus service east on Kent, from Kerr to
Jellicoe, Elliott to Jellicoe was also recommended.
Access to a bus, regardless of route chosen, is required for those
people who attend the various activities offered by South Vancouver
Neighbourhood House located on Victoria Drive near 49th Avenue;
although no specific route was favoured note was made of the
difficulty seniors and mothers with strollers experience travelling
up the steep grade to their destination. It was also noted any
route that can inject more business into Champlain Mall or Victoria
Drive would be appreciated by merchants.
Support for a bus route to serve the Fraser Lands which would not
utilize Fraserview Drive but reach a number of destinations as
follows: commencing at Jellicoe along S.E. Marine Drive, with a
bus stop adjacent the Skywalk, to allow for pedestrian access
across Marine Drive from Fraser Lands west, turning at Victoria
Drive and past the Fraserview Boys' and Girls' Club and Sir James
Douglas School, then turning from Victoria Drive onto 54th, with
access to the Fraserview Branch of the Vancouver Public Library,
and a short walk to David Thompson Secondary School, along 54th
with access to Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Elementary, then turning
at 54th onto Elliott, down Muirfield, past David Oppenheimer
School, with a turnaround on the same route.
5,900 people, housed in 1,500 residential units, now live in the
Fraser Lands. A successful mixed community has been created, all
sharing reclaimed industrial lands. However, the area still lacks
the infrastructure to make it a true neighbourhood, and the
business community has yet to realize the potential of the area.
Schools, libraries, community centres are not easily accessed, and
sidewalks are still to be completed in some areas. CityPlan was
referenced, noting 20 percent of the population use transit, which
would result in 696 new transit riders along the proposed route;
many more than those opposed to the route. The need to provide
city services to the elderly, empty-nesters and non-market housing
residents, was also highlighted.
Support for the extension of the No. 29 route down to the Fraser
Lands, although no specific route preferred, apart from one that
provides direct, feasible and efficient service in transporting
residents to other transit links in the area. Currently residents
must depend on the No. 100 which runs every 15 minutes during rush
hour and each hour during the evening hours. Many Fraser Lands
residents must walk 2 kilometres uphill, without a sidewalk, to
reach Champlain Mall, the closest shopping area. Transit is needed
now in the Fraser Lands.
Three previous Councils have rejected extension of a bus route onto
Fraserview Drive, and the narrow road is not suitable for such a
route. Car traffic will be slowed behind buses. Loss of street
parking will occur. Diesel buses travelling along the steep
winding hill on Fraserview will create excessive noise and
pollution for the residents of the single family neighbourhood.
Buses will pass 30 feet from residents' windows, and privacy in
front yards will be lost. The previously noted route that would
access the three elementary schools and David Thompson was
supported.
Residents living at the bottom of Matheson Crescent must relay
solely on the No. 100 bus. No transit currently serves the three
elementary schools in the area in addition to the library, shopping
and recreation centre. Transit is required before 7:00 a.m. to the
evening hours, not just the 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. school rush
hours. Many of those travelling to downtown Vancouver currently
pay a two-zone fare to travel into Burnaby on the No. 100, which
connects to SkyTrain. Support was expressed for Options B or C,
with note an extension of the No. 26 one block to the foot of
Matheson would provide bus service to a number of non-profit and
co-op housing projects in the area.
The need for extending the existing bus service into the Fraser
Lands was acknowledged. However, the added air and noise pollution
of diesel buses along Fraserview Drive would exacerbate the already
significant problem caused by the wood and fish processing plants
adjacent Kent Avenue. Council was urged to reconsider the
recommended extension of the No. 29 Elliott bus along Fraserview
Drive.
Residents of the Fraser Lands need a direct bus route, alternatives
offered by various speakers entail additional money and effort, and
duplication of service to avoid a small stretch of Fraserview
Drive. Much of the non-market housing, most in need of transit, is
located between Elliott, Victoria and further west.
Parents using their automobiles to access the community centre,
schools, etc. does not set a good example for young children;
however at present there is no alternative transportation mode.
The status quo is not acceptable and a solution which provides
residents of the Fraser Lands with bus service must be found.
Note was made on the lack of bus service south of Marine Drive, and
the growing number of empty nesters and elderly residents who
reside there. Many do not own cars. A steep climb is required to
reach Harrison Loop, and many elderly residents feel trapped.
Better access to a public transportation system is needed.
Comments Noted During Questions to the Speakers
Donalda Reid, Principal of Oppenheimer School, provided information
on the catchment area for the school and noted the majority of her
students graduate to David Thompson Secondary School.
Extension of the No. 29 Elliott service to 54th Avenue would
duplicate service, and increase costs. Option B, recommended by
Engineering staff, provides service to the most destinations, at
the cost budgeted for by BC Transit.
There is no appreciable difference in the ability of trolleys or
diesels in travelling steep inclines during winter conditions;
however, other traffic often slows their progress. If designated a
bus route, Fraserview Drive would be given first priority for snow
removal, similar to other bus routes in the City.
Transit staff noted the bus route supported by Fraserview Drive
residents would add an additional 2.3 kilometres in each direction,
and 10 minutes additional travel time for those going to SkyTrain.
An additional bus would be required in the cycle, increasing the
cost to between $150-200,000 per year. The route is circuitous,
would not attract ridership, and is not supported by BC Transit.
Engineering staff agreed to follow up on the status of sidewalks in
the area.
A suggested rerouting of the No. 29 down Victoria Drive would be a
detriment to existing passengers who currently rely on the route,
in addition to providing no direct service to Oppenheimer School.
Staff was requested to consider the ramifications of retaining the
existing No. 29 bus route to Muirfield Drive, then backtracking up
Muirfield, (avoiding Fraserview Drive) to Elliott along 54th to
Victoria to S.E. Marine, then proceeding as recommended in Option
B.
Staff noted public consultation would be required for any suggested
routes not currently used by buses.
Two mini routes running from Champlain Mall to Harrison Loop, and
from the 29th Avenue Station around the Fraserview Drive triangle
would be less direct, with increased costs, and additional buses
required.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT decision on this matter be deferred to the Regular Council
meeting of July 8, 1997, to allow Council members the opportunity
to examine, first hand, route possibilities, destinations, hill
grades, size of population and people involved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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