SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
VTC AGENDA - FEB. 8/96
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: January 25, 1996
Dept. File No. 084 683
087 631
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Traffic Calming Plan - Yew and Vine Streets
Between 12th Avenue and 16th Avenue
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the temporary traffic circles at Yew and 13th, Yew and
15th, and at Vine and 14th be made permanent.
B. THAT the existing "No Left Turn 7 - 9:30 a.m., 3-6 p.m.,
Monday to Friday" regulations at Yew and 12th and at Vine and
12th be retained.
C. THAT a "Do Not Enter" restriction be installed at the lane
south of 12th at Arbutus.
D. THAT a "No Left Turn, 7 - 9:30 a.m., 3 - 6 p.m., Monday to
Saturday" regulation be installed for northbound traffic on
Arbutus at 13th Avenue.
E. THAT a "No Stopping 7:00 - 9:30 a.m., 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Monday
to Saturday" restriction be installed on both sides of Arbutus
from 12th to 16th.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council has a long standing policy of protecting neighbourhoods from
shortcutting.
PURPOSE
To report the results of a public opinion survey and studies done
regarding temporary traffic mitigation measures, and to recommend three
additional measures.
BACKGROUND
- October 1993: License plate trace indicated an overall short-cut
rate of 32%.
- March 1994: A neighbourhood opinion survey was distributed to
residents in area bounded by 12th, 16th, Arbutus and Balsam.
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- July 1994: Traffic Commission approved Traffic Calming Plan - Yew
and Vine, 12th to 16th.
- July to December 1994: Temporary traffic measures and other local
improvements installed.
- April and May 1995: License plate trace conducted with the
assistance of 5 local residents.
- September 1995: Neighbourhood opinion survey distributed to all
residents and non-resident owners in area bounded by 12th, 16th,
Arbutus, and Balsam.
- January 1996: A meeting with neighbourhood representatives
indicates that the neighbourhood is happy with the results of the
traffic measures to date, but are concerned with following 4 areas:
1. shortcutting on Yew, 12th and 16th,
2. shortcutting via 13th,
3. the need for improvements on Arbutus (parking
restrictions and left turn bays), and
4. the impact of the Arbutus Industrial Lands re-development
on parking and traffic in their neighbourhood.
DISCUSSION
This report consists of two components:
1. review of the existing temporary measures and how the
neighbourhood feels about their effectiveness, and
2. proposal of additional measures.
There has been extensive community consultation throughout this project
and to a great degree this report is the result of the partnership
between Engineering Services and the neighbourhood representatives.
FOLLOW-UP LICENSE PLATE TRACE
Discussions with neighbourhood representatives indicated that they were
eager to proceed with the investigation despite the fact that UBC was
not in session at the time and that various construction projects were
underway in the neighbourhood. It was agreed that it would be some time
before the neighbourhood would return to "normal" and therefore we
should proceed with the study. As a result, a thorough investigation was
conducted with the assistance of 5 local residents. The results of the
license plate trace are summarized in Appendix A.
Although the overall p.m. shortcut rate (27%) has dropped from the
previous shortcut rate (38%), it is worth noting that trends have
developed which need to be addressed. The volume of traffic at Arbutus
and 13th increased significantly (from 52 to 88) despite the quiet time
of year. Also, the northbound left turn volume at Arbutus and 13th has
increased from 17 to 31.
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PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
The results of the September 1995 public opinion survey are summarized
in Appendix B and a sample of the survey is shown in Appendix C. Of the
500 ballots distributed 193 (39%) were returned, which is a high
response rate for this type of survey. 79% of the respondents felt that
the existing measures have been beneficial to the neighbourhood.
Appendix B also shows how people within a block of each measure voted,
to give emphasis to votes from those who are most affected.
Although the proposed "No Left Turn" regulation at Arbutus and 13th was
defeated by the overall neighbourhood, it is supported by those within
one block. Due to the support from property owners/residents within a
block and considering the increase in traffic at this location, staff
and the representative from the local community recommend that its
installation proceed.
Numerous complaints have been received about parking during rush hour
allowed along Arbutus and the impact this has on the surrounding
neighbourhood. To alleviate some pressure and to keep traffic on
Arbutus, staff and neighbourhood representatives recommend installation
of No Stopping 7 - 9:30 a.m. 3 - 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday along
Arbutus, from 12th to 16th, beginning with notification of affected
occupants.
The City Engineer and representatives from the local community are
concerned about the impact of the Arbutus Industrial Lands re-
development on this neighbourhood. This ballot offered what we
considered to be reasonable alternatives to the existing short-cutting
trends and insurance against future intrusion. However,
the most critical additional measures (diverter at Yew and 12th, and
turn restriction at Yew and 16th)were both defeated by the overall
neighbourhood. In the interest of public safety and due to the
continuing violation of the measure at Yew and 12th, Engineering
Services staff will continue to monitor these locations and report back
to Traffic Commission as necessary, as the industrial area redevelops.
A summary of comments is shown in Appendix D. A total of 313 comments
were received, the most frequent praising the existing traffic measures
(66), and 22 expressing concern with the proximity of parked vehicles to
the traffic circles.
FUNDING
Funding of $24,000 was approved at the July 1994 Traffic Commission.
Therefore no additional funds are required.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the temporary traffic circles at Yew and 13th,
Yew and 15th, and at Vine and 14th be made permanent, and that the
existing turning restrictions at Yew and 12th and at Vine and 12th be
retained. To enhance them, it is further recommended that an additional
left turn restriction effective 7 - 9:30 a.m. 3 - 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. be
installed on northbound Arbutus at 13th, and that a Do Not Enter
regulation be installed at Arbutus and the lane south of 12th. Staff
will also commence discussions with property owners on both sides of
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Arbutus between 12th and 16th concerning peak hour parking restrictions,
and will monitor traffic at Yew and 12th and at Yew and 16th as the
nearby redevelopment proceeds.
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