ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: September 28, 1995
Dept. File No.630-097
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Curb and Sidewalk Realignment
1965 to 1991 Cornwall Avenue
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the curb and sidewalk be realigned from 1965 to
1991 Cornwall Avenue as described in this report, with
$35,000.00 provided from the 1995 Streets Basic Capital
Budget.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council requires that design reports be submitted for
modifications on major streets.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval for
the realignment of the curb and sidewalk from 1965 to 1991 on
Cornwall Avenue at a cost of $35,000.00 provided from the
Streets Basic Capital Budget.
BACKGROUND
A development application has been received for a one-storey
retail/residential building for 1965 Cornwall Avenue. This
development, if approved, would require the removal of an
existing hedge fronting onto Cornwall Avenue. This
requirement subsequently provides a good opportunity to
improve the curb and sidewalk alignment, to provide for a
3.8m wide bicycle accommodating lane, to widen the existing
sidewalk and to create on-street parking.
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DISCUSSION
At present, the curb abutting this site narrows to a road
width of 13 metres, whereas the road widths at the immediate
west and east of this section are 15.8 metres and 15.0 metres
respectively. With the removal of the existing hedges
fronting 1965 Cornwall Avenue necessitated by the proposed
development, it is now possible to realign the existing curb
to achieve a consistent road width. See Figure 1 for
details.
The foregoing proposal would create a 3.8m travelling lane of
uniform width, and a 2.4m parking lane with four parking
stalls. According to the City's Comprehensive Bicycle Plan,
this 3.8m travelling lane is above the minimum 3.7m lane for
bicycle accommodation, although it is below the desirable
width of 4.3m. The four created parking stalls will be
available for anyone visiting the adjacent apartments and
stores.
Also as part of this proposal, the new sidewalk will be
widened to 3 metres from its existing width of 1.8 metres,
thereby improving pedestrian access significantly.
No property acquisition will be required for the foregoing
proposed work.
PROPERTY IMPACTS
The proposed curb realignment would have the following
impacts:
1935 to 1945 Cornwall - no property impact
1965 Cornwall - no property impact
(proposed development)
1987 Cornwall - existing portion of lawn and
four (4) small shrubs which are
currently located on City
property would have to be
relocated onto owner's property
to accommodate the proposed
sidewalk
1991 to 1993 Cornwall - no property impact
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The owners of the above listed properties and the principal
of the Henry Hudson School were advised of this proposal by
letter. Subsequently, one negative response was received
from the owner of 1987 Cornwall Avenue.
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The writer then met with the owner at her property. The
owner expressed objection to the creation of four on-street
parking stalls because she felt they were created
specifically for the new development at 1965 Cornwall Avenue.
The writer explained the parking stalls would be available to
anyone in the City (including her own tenants); illustrated
that the proposed locations of the new curb and sidewalk
would indeed be on City Boulevard; ensured her front lawn
would be restored to its original condition after
construction; stated the sidewalk would be widened and a
bicycle accommodating lane will be created. However, the
owner of 1987 Cornwall maintained her opposition to the
proposed work.
There are no other outstanding public concerns.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee has reviewed and concurred
with the proposed curb realignment as it is an improvement
for cyclists.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The estimated cost of the proposed work is $35,000.00 with
funding to be provided from the 1995 Streets Basic Capital
Budget.
CONCLUSION
The proposed realignment of the curb and sidewalk from 1965
to 1991 Cornwall Avenue is recommended to provide improved
conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and local motorists.
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