CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER TRAFFIC COMMISSION
March 14, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Traffic Commission was held on
Thursday, March 14, 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 (Illness)
GENERAL MANAGER: Dave Rudberg, General Manager,
Engineering Services
CLERK: Marnie Cross
Power to Act
On January 11, 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 February
8, 1996 were adopted as circulated.
1. 1996 Traffic Signal Program File: 5761-3
The Commission considered an Administrative Report dated February
28, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
recommended approval of the 1996 Traffic Signal Program at a cost of
$898,000.
Ms. Elizabeth Ballard, Traffic Management Engineer, outlined the
1996 Traffic Signal Program as follows:
Pedestrian-Actuated Signals $418,000
Full Signals $240,000
Signal Modifications $240,000
Cont'd
Clause No. 1 cont'd
Ms. Ballard also advised that the 1996 Traffic Signal Program
represents roughly one-third of the money approved in the 1994-1996
Streets Capital Plan. Costs of $33,000 for this increase in the City's
plant will need to be funded in future Operating Budgets as these
signals are installed.
Mr. Tony Scaiano expressed concern that a pedestrian-activated
signal at 49th Avenue and Doman Street was not included in the 1996
Traffic Signal Program. He advised the Commission that he had submitted
two petitions containing 352 signatures from area residents who were
concerned about pedestrian safety at this intersection and favoured a
pedestrian-activated signal at 49th and Doman.
The Chair noted a letter dated March 13, 1996 was received from
Karen Ducommon regarding pedestrian signal at 14th Avenue and Hemlock
Street.
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and CARRIED.
The Commission, therefore,
RESOLVED
A. THAT Council approve the 1996 Traffic Signal Program
at a cost of $898,000 and that the General Manager
of Engineering Services be authorized to install and
modify traffic and pedestrian signals as described
in the administrative report dated February 28,
1996.
B. THAT additional annual costs of $33,000 related to
ongoing maintenance be reflected in future Operating
Budgets.
C. THAT Engineering staff be requested to investigate
further the pedestrian signal at 49th and Doman and
report back.
2. Left Turn Bays on Terminal Avenue at
Cottrell Street and on Clark Drive
at 1st Avenue
The Commission considered an Administrative Report dated February
27, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
sought approval to construct a left turn bay and traffic signal on
Terminal Avenue at Cottrell Street, and left turn bays on Clark Drive at
1st Avenue.
Cont'd
Clause No. 2 cont'd
Mr. Doug Louie, Transportation Design, by means of a diagram,
outlined the proposed left turn bays and traffic signal at Terminal at
Cottrell Street. The diagram indicated the proposed adjacent streets
parallel to Terminal Avenue. Funding for these left turn bays will be
provided by the developers of the home improvement centre as a condition
of rezoning 900 Terminal Avenue.
Mr. Louie also outlined the left turn bays at Clark Drive at 1st
Avenue. These costs will also be provided by the developers of the home
improvement centre.
Mr. Al Ens expressed concern on behalf of the owners of the
property bounded by Terminal Avenue on the north, Clark Drive on the
east, 2nd Avenue on the south and Vernon Drive on the west. The
proposed 5.6 metre setback on Clark Drive will cut into his property.
On behalf of the Foundry Restaurant, Mr. Ens suggested that the
proposed median for the left turn bay at 1st Avenue not be constructed
so as to block access on to 2nd Avenue from Clark Drive. This would
block access to the Foundry Restaurant.
In response to the first concern, Mr. Louie indicated the setback
could be reduced to 4.6 metres and the street could be cantilevered over
the property and a high fine chain link fence could be installed.
With respect to the median, the Commission suggested it not be
extended so as to block access to 2nd Avenue. Mr. Louie indicated this
would be looked at in the design. Entrance into 2nd Avenue from Clark
and right out only from 2nd on to Clark was suggested. Mr. Louie agreed
to look into a redesign to accommodate the suggestion.
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and CARRIED.
The Commission therefore
RESOLVED
A. THAT a left turn bay be constructed and a traffic
signal be installed on Terminal Avenue at Cottrell
Street, to be funded by the developers of the home
improvement centre at 900 Terminal Avenue.
Cont'd
Clause No. 2 cont'd
B. THAT left turn bays on Clark Drive at 1st Avenue be
constructed, with funding of $380,000 to be provided
by the developers of the home improvement centre on
900 Terminal Avenue and the balance of funding of
$1.52 million to be provided by the City from
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No.
12/3/9822/999 - Clark at 1st.
C. THAT the Manager of Properties be authorized to
begin property negotiations to allow for
construction of the left turn bays on Clark Drive
and 1st Avenue, in consultation with the General
Manager of Engineering Services for report back as
required.
3. Other Business
(a) Correspondence
The Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the following be received for information:
(i) Memorandum dated March 13, 1996 from the Assistant City
Engineer, Transportation, re March14 Traffic Commission -
Mt. Pleasant Survey.
(ii) Memorandum dated March 14, 1996 from the Assistant City
Engineer re Pedestrian Safety Concerns - Queen Alexandra
Elementary School.
Councillor Chiavario suggested that Engineering
staff co-ordinate with the school principal to arrange an
additional public meeting planned for April, in the
afternoon to enable as many parents as possible to
participate.
(iii)Memorandum dated March 12, 1996 from the Assistant
City Engineer re Public Opinion Survey Results - Parking
Removal on Arbutus, 12th-16th Avenues.
Cont'd
Clause No. 3 cont'd
(iv) Memorandum dated February 26, 1996 from the Assistant
City Engineer, Transportation Division, re Parking on 1st
Avenue
(b) "Traffic-Calmed Neighbourhoods" Sign
Mr. Ian Adam displayed a sample sign used by the City of
Burnaby and indicated that similar signs are used by New
Westminster and Toronto.
The Commission
RESOLVED
THAT Engineering staff report back on a 'uniquely Vancouver'
traffic calming sign for the City of Vancouver.
* * * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m.