1. MCMASTER AVENUE SIDEWALK

TROTTOIR DE L’AVENUE MCMASTER

Committee Recommendations

Having held a public hearing, that Council approve the construction of a sidewalk on the south side of McMaster Avenue, between Aster Street and Virginia Avenue, as shown in Annex B.

Recommendation du Comité

Une réunion publique ayant été tenure, que le Conseil d’approuver qu’un trottoir soit construit sur le côté sud de l’avenue McMaster, entre la rue Aster et l’avenue Virginia, comme il est représenté dans l’annexe B.

Documentation

1. General Manager, Transportation, Utilities and Public Works report dated 03 February 2003 (ACS2003-TUP-TRF-0001).

2. Draft Extract of Minute, Transportation and Transit Committee meeting of 19 February 2003

3. The following correspondence was received and is held on file:

a. S. Doerge letter dated 8 October 2002

b. PAC Chairperson, McMaster Catholic School letter dated 10 October 2002

c. Mr. & Mrs. W. Neal letter dated 11 October 2002

d. Mr. & Mrs. Desjardin letter dated 8 February 2003

e. L. Wilson letter, undated

f. M. Mullan letter dated 12 February 2003

g. Chairperson, Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board letter dated 5 February, 2003

Report to/Rapport au:

Transportation and Transit Committee/

Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun

and Council/et au Conseil

03 February 2003/le 03 février 2003

Submitted by/Soumis par: R.T. Leclair, General Manager/Directeur général

Transportation, Utilities and Public Works/Transport, services et travaux publics

Contact/Personne ressource: Michael J. Flainek, P. Eng., Director/Directeur

Traffic and Parking Operations Branch/ Circulation et Stationnement

580-2424, extension 26882, Michael.Flainek@ottawa.ca

Ref N°: ACS2003-TUP-TRF-0001

SUBJECT: MCMASTER AVENUE SIDEWALK

OBJET : TROTTOIR DE L’AVENUE MCMASTER

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve the construction of a sidewalk on the south side of McMaster Avenue, between Aster Street and Virginia Avenue, as shown in Annex B.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande au Conseil d’approuver qu’un trottoir soit construit sur le côté sud de l’avenue McMaster, entre la rue Aster et l’avenue Virginia, comme il est représenté dans l’annexe B.

BACKGROUND

The former City of Ottawa had identified the need for a new sidewalk on McMaster Avenue as a top priority in its New Sidewalk Program. The request for a sidewalk on McMaster Avenue was originally initiated by the surrounding community and the Parent Advisory Committee for McMaster Catholic School and concern for the safety of children walking to school and their fear that the lack of sidewalk forces children onto the road, compromising their safety. This location was added to the 2002 New Sidewalk Program to assess the need for this sidewalk as compared to all other requested locations and to determine the feasibility and limitations of constructing a new sidewalk. As a result of this analysis, the proposed sidewalk was listed in the approved 2002 Capital Budget. As part of the subsequent public consultation process, public notice was initiated as per the requirements of the Municipal Act (provisions as in effect in 2002). Objections were received from three residents resulting in the need for a Public Hearing at the Transportation and Transit Committee to resolve this issue.

Existing Conditions

McMaster Avenue is a short residential street (230m) in the Alta Vista community that extends one block between Virginia Drive and Aster Street (see Key Plan, Annex A). The street has a typical roadway width of 8.5m. There are currently no sidewalks on either side. Ten single-family homes front the north side of the street. McMaster Catholic School is situated on the south side at Aster Street and an additional four single-family homes front the south side (see Annex B).

The street’s alignment is straight and level with a number of mature trees along both sides of the street. Parking is permitted on both the north and south sides. Two of the most easterly properties on the south side at Virginia Ave have elevated grades and sloping driveways.

DISCUSSION

In developing a new prioritization process for the City’s New Sidewalk Program, a consultant was retained to develop a point rating system to assess a number of outstanding projects identified by former municipalities and to assist in establishing priorities for all requests for new sidewalks.

This system considers a number of factors including the presence and type of public facilities that generate a high concentration of pedestrians (schools, recreation centres, public facilities, shopping malls), traffic conditions (volumes, speed limits, street geometry, alignment and width), density and type of development, evidence of a beaten path off the roadway, lack of existing sidewalks, whether a new sidewalk would complete a missing link in the existing sidewalk network, feasibility and cost of construction.

Results of this analysis indicated that the proposed McMaster Avenue sidewalk ranked high enough to be considered a candidate in the 2002 New Sidewalk Program. Strong support from the School’s administration as well as the Ward Councillor and the Community was apparent and subsequently funds for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of McMaster Avenue were identified and approved in the 2002 Capital Budget for New Sidewalks. This sidewalk would fill a “missing link” to the local sidewalk network and provide a safer route for children walking along McMaster Avenue to the school. Its location on the south side would minimize the need for children to cross McMaster Avenue, and would have the least impact on properties fronting the street.

Although strong support was expressed by the surrounding community, the staff of McMaster Catholic School and the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board, some property owners on McMaster Avenue expressed opposition. To better understand their concerns, a public notice/survey was delivered to all residents on McMaster Avenue in June 2002 requesting their comments. Residents expressed concerns that a sidewalk would require removal of some of the mature trees and may result in increasing the slope of driveways on the south side at the east end of McMaster Avenue where two properties have significant grades.

To address these concerns, a Public Open House was held on 6 August 2002 by the Ward Councillor and City staff. A detailed design was presented to residents, with a proposal to narrow the street by 0.5m, and to construct a slightly narrower asphalt sidewalk of 1.5m in order to preserve the trees along the south side. The narrowing of the street would also result in a slight decrease in driveway slopes for both properties located at 1786 and 1794 McMaster Avenue.

Some residents felt that a sidewalk might compromise pedestrian safety in winter months with accumulation of snow and lack of snow removal. On the contrary, a sidewalk would be plowed in accordance with current maintenance standards and would actually improve conditions and safety for pedestrians who now walk on the roadway.

Although the proposed narrowing would have minimal impact on traffic operations, some residents felt that the existing parking currently allowed on both sides of the street adds to congestion during the morning school hours. Staff reviewed conditions during these times and have recommended removal of parking on the south side to optimize safety and traffic flow.

CONSULTATION

The proposed narrowing of McMaster Avenue to accommodate a new sidewalk falls under Schedule “A” of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects. As per Section 300 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O.1990, c.M.45, as amended, a notice of the proposed roadway modification was placed in Le Droit and the Ottawa Citizen for four (4) consecutive weeks beginning 30 August 2002. Three (3) letters of objection were received. Letters of support, as well as a petition of 70 signatures circulated to the community by the School’s Parent Council were also sent to the City. The letters of opposition and of support are summarized in Annex C. The Ward Councillor and the School Administration are both in strong agreement with the proposed design.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total estimated construction cost for the sidewalk project is $40,000. Sufficient funds were allocated and approved for this project in the 2002 Capital Budget. 

DISPOSITION

Subject to approval of the recommendations contained in this report staff will:

• Proceed with construction of current design;
• Provide project management for construction services;
• Tender the required road works; and,
• Implement No Parking restrictions on the south side of McMaster Avenue between Aster Street and Virginia Avenue.

ATTACHMENTS

Annex A Key Plan

Annex B Proposed Roadway Modifications (Drawing)

Annex C Summary of Documents Received in Opposition and in Support

ANNEX A

KEY PLAN

ANNEX B

PROPOSED ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS

ANNEX C

SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED IN OPPOSITION AND IN SUPPORT

Public Consultation Process

Municipal Act Advertisement was undertaken on 30 August 2002 for four consecutive weeks. A total of 5 letters were received: 3 in support and 2 objections. The general comments are summarized below:

· Support from a parent of two children attending McMaster School. She expressed concern that traffic congestion on the street results in compromising the safety of children accessing the school. Also requested crosswalk markings on Kilborn Avenue at Aster Street.

· Support petition and letter from McMaster Catholic School Parent Advisory Committee with 70 parent signatures.

· Support letter from a parent expressing safety concerns with children walking on the roadway during morning and afternoon congestion.

· Letter of objection from a McMaster Avenue resident stating that construction of the sidewalk would not improve safety for pedestrians. Concern that the proposed street narrowing would increase the slope of their driveway and therefore exacerbate unsafe conditions and would impact the enjoyment of their property.

· Letter of objection from a resident of McMaster Avenue with concerns that the existing street width is inadequate and that driveway slope and drainage will be negatively impacted and would result in unsafe conditions for any pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk.

In addition to the above, the Coordinator, Transportation and Transit Committee, received a call from an area resident expressing support of the proposed sidewalk but would be unable to attend the 19 February Transportation and Transit Committee meeting. Staff also received a letter of support from Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board prior to the Municipal Act Advertising.

MCMASTER AVENUE SIDEWALK - PUBLIC HEARING / TROTTOIR DE L’AVENUE MCMASTER – AUDIENCE PUBLIQUE

ACS2003-TUP-TRF-0001

Rob Orchin, Manager, Mobility and Area Traffic Management, presented a brief overview of the report before committee. He did note, however, that the original design was modified so that while the road would be further narrowed, it would allow the sidewalk to be taken further out to reduce the steep grade of driveways and to ensure the retention of the mature trees along this side of the street. Accordingly, staff suggests the removal of the parking zone on the opposite side of the street to allow for easier passage of vehicles. A copy of his PowerPoint presentation is held on file.

Councillor Cullen noted similar situations in his ward and inquired what the traffic volume was on McMaster. While he did not have those figures readily available, the Manager indicated that on a road such as this, staff would examine the afternoon activity, as opposed to the volume. The councillor agreed with the recommendation before committee, and by comparison, noted that Fairlawn Avenue, between Lenester Avenue and Benjamin Avenue has no sidewalks, but is being used as a drop-off point by two schools. Of the over 150 sidewalk requests, he recognized that McMaster is listed as being the number one priority, with Fairlawn is ranked at 60. He was seeking a better understanding of the process behind the assignment of priority. Mr. Orchin verified that Fairlawn is at that ranking, but would have to investigate further to determine why it has been ranked as such. The councillor suggested that a future agenda include a general topic of sidewalks for discussion by committee.

Councillor Legendre wondered whether staff was considering positioning the sidewalk further up or down at various points to alleviate problems with the steep slopes of some of the driveways. Mr. Orchin advised that staff have done a very detailed review, working very closely with the Infrastructure Services Branch, and with the new standards, the objective is to minimize the ‘dips’ of the driveways; in this case, the sidewalks will have to rise or fall with the slope of the street and the driveways to some degree.

The Committee received the following public delegations:

M.G. Brown, a resident of McMaster Avenue was opposed to the proposed modifications, as he believed they would only cause further safety concerns on the street. He also felt that there had been very limited consultation with the community about this sidewalk. He stated that the main problem arises with the dangerous traffic habits of parents who chauffeur their children to and from school, and who, in turn, have to cross the street to get to and from school. Mr. Brown further noted that because of the narrow width of this street, vehicles parking on both sides leave very little room in between for other vehicles to get through. He was especially concerned how this clearance is more negatively affected during the winter, when snow banks are piled on the north side of the road. He indicated that the ‘no parking’ zone on the opposite side of the school is being ignored and is not being enforced by the City. Mr. Brown maintained that the staff recommendation does not provide for the safe loading and unloading of passengers and suggested the safety concerns for these children could be alleviated by:

a. providing a sidewalk on the north side of the street;

b. creating a one-way driveway at the west end of the school property for the express purpose of dropping off and picking up children; the entrance could be directly in line with Aster Street and left turns from McMaster into this driveway would be prohibited, and it would be a right-turn out only;

c. the erection and enforcement of signs west of the school parking driveway stating that only school buses will be permitted in that zone during school hours;

d. the removal of the present NO STOPPING sign east of the school driveway.

A detailed copy of his submission is held on file.

On behalf of Rita Cullen, another resident of McMaster who was unable to attend this hearing, Mr. Brown read into the record, a letter she submitted which spoke to her opposition to the sidewalk, despite her concern for the safety of children and residents using the street. She thought that the sidewalk would create greater safety concerns because of the sight line hazards already presented by steeply sloping driveways, making clear visibility somewhat difficult. Her letter showed her support for many of the concerns and proposals put forward by Mr. Brown, especially for the traffic loop being implemented at the school. A copy of Mrs. Cullen’s letter is held on file.

Susan Lewis, Chairperson, McMaster Catholic School Parent Council spoke in support of the sidewalk, especially given the safety hazards presented to children when they have to walk along the road to school. Ms. Lewis recognized that school-related traffic has increased over the past several years as smaller community schools closed and students were directed to McMaster; children who previously walked to school, are now arriving on buses as are many of those in the McMaster catchment area. She was very concerned about children having to mingle with traffic, stating it is difficult for drivers to see the children as they weave between vehicles and school buses to cross the street. This problem is exacerbated in the winter when snow banks create a further hazard to pedestrians and drivers alike. Photographs were provided that demonstrated some of the hazards. She emphasized that the safety of these school children must be the City’s #1 priority. A copy of Ms. Lewis’ presentation and other supporting documentation is held on file.

Wilbert and Edeltraud Neal, residents of McMaster Avenue spoke in opposition to the sidewalk. In particular, Mr. Neil did not feel there had been an adequate study carried out of the safety issues involved. And, while he acknowledged that his main concern is the safety of the children, he felt that a better solution is to be had than to simply construct a sidewalk. Mrs. Neal echoed these comments, stating that she was concerned a sidewalk would further increase the risk of accident, particularly in winter, with the steeply sloping driveways, combined with poor vision of the street and slippery conditions. She suggested that the very parents of the children that are asking for the sidewalk to be built create this danger themselves by driving their children to school. And, she did not believe they would change these habits if a sidewalk were constructed. A copy of Mrs. Neal’s written comments is held on file.

Mark Mullan, Trustee, Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board, spoke in favour of the proposed roadway modifications to allow for a sidewalk on McMaster. And, while he acknowledged that a sidewalk would not solve all the traffic and parking problems on this street, he thought it would go a long way to improving safety for the children and elderly residents using it. A copy of his written submission is held on file.

Roger Wood, a resident of McMaster Avenue was opposed to the sidewalk, feeling that unless, at the same time, some enforcement is made to keep parents from parking on the north side of the street, it would be of no real purpose. He thought it best to have a portion of the street designated for pick ups and drop offs for certain times of the day only.

Ms. M^cGahern, a resident of McMaster Avenue disagreed with the comment in the report that the proposed narrowing of the street will have a minimum impact on traffic operations and suggested it would only compound the congestion. She was also concerned about the difficulty of enforcing the ‘no parking’ area on the south side of the street. She asked whether a survey had been done of the parents whose children now walk to McMaster School and those that are driven by parents, to determine how many children would use the sidewalk to get to school. She questioned how significant the sidewalk would change those traffic patterns and suggested that matter be seriously examined either by the school council or by City staff.

Having held a public hearing, that the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve construction of a sidewalk on the south side of McMaster Avenue between Aster Street and Virginia Avenue as shown in Annex B.

CARRIED