PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY OF FUTURE INTERPROVINCIAL CROSSINGS IN THE

GOULBOURN FORCED ROAD AND KANATA AVENUE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS

ÉVALUATIONS ENVIRONNEMENTALES DU CHEMIN GOULBOURN FORCED ET DE L'AVENUE KANATA

ACS2007-PTE-APR-0137 KANATA NORTH (4)

Mr. R. Phillips, C.E.T., Program Manager, Infrastructure Approvals, Planning, Transit and the Environment, began the presentation by giving a brief background of both Goulbourn Forced Road and Kanata Avenue and outlined the study area. He also provided planning solutions for both areas and the recommended environmental assessment design plans for each.

Mr. S. Doyle, P.Eng, Project Manager for Dillon Consulting Limited, continued the presentation providing additional information on the environmental assessment process, their need and the steps going forward. A copy of the Power Point presentation is held on file with the City Clerk’s Office.

Written submission received and held on file

· Joubin Karimi

· Boris Rubashkin

Debbie Graham, resident on Goulbourn Forced Road, stated that she would like to see something built in the area that she would be proud to see in 5 to 10 years. She further stated that her preference would be to keep as many trees as possible and to consider a pathway for wildlife in the area. She was concerned regarding the possible loss of her home and the need to preserve her present status on a well and a septic system as she had been promised. Her hope is that when construction begins they will put a buffer area around her property and that it will not be damaged.

Councillor Wilkinson wanted confirmation from the delegate that she preferred the Alignment C of the proposed locations, the one furthest west that just touches the corner of her property. Ms. Graham confirmed that this was the only alternative that she would accept as the other options would leave her without a home. She reiterated the need for pathways for the wildlife as well.

Mr. Phillips explained that the primary reason for offering Alignment “B” and not recommending it was due to the impact it would have on the property. All options have some level impact on the front of the property but Alignment “C” has a minimal amount of impact.

Concerning the wildlife crossing, Mr. Phillips explained that presently there is an existing causeway and the recommendations retain this feature. He stated that it would be upgraded from its current gravel/asphalt type road to a major collective but would maintain the existing linkage that have been identified for the wildlife as well as maintaining the hydrological areas such as the wetlands. The items have been addressed in the environmental study.

Mr. Doyle further added that a number of studies completed by biologists in the area indicated what was required in the corridor to facilitate movement of animals and environmental issues. The recommendation has been that no extraordinary measures be taken at these locations as the pond complexes are sufficient enough to be self sustaining and the movement of wildlife across the road was not an issue that required further design approach.

In response to Councillor Legendre’s inquires, Ms. Graham explained that with reference to Slide 11 in the presentation, the yellow highlighted sections were on her property (roughly 6.95 acres). She stated that she had been promised, prior to restoring her home, that not one square inch would be taken. Regarding the wildlife issue, she stated that the placement of the crossings is incorrect and she provided the actual crossing. Ms. Graham also stated that she has asked that signs be posted at these crossings and this has yet to be done.

In response to Councillor Doucet’s question on whether Ms. Graham wanted the road or not, she stated that she would like to see things stay the way they are.

Mary Garvis, Director of Planning with Urbandale Corporation, explained that they are part owners of the property in question, 800 acres abutting Goulbourn Forced Road. They have been active in the entire process and they have given general support to Alignment “C”, subject to a few conditions. One issue in particular is the limited development in the sub-division referenced in the report and they are opposed to this. They feel that the limited development should follow the limit as per the Ontario Municipal Board and the Council approved sub-division plan which would have been the easterly limit of Alignment “A”, and take the development all the way to Trillium Woods. As well, Alignment “C” bisects a designated and zoned high-density residential block and a small commercial block. They would like staff to address this issue in the official plan amendment that will go forward in the revised draft conditions for the sub-division. They also object to the use of the earthen berms or the city protecting four lands to build earthen berms for the future elevated crossing of Goulbourn Forced Road over the rail line. They will be active in the coming stages of the report going to the Ministry of the Environment.

In response to questions from Councillor Wilkinson, Ms. Garvis stated that due to the changes in the road, all sub-divisions to the north would have to be modified. These issues will be dealt with at the time of the revisions for the sub-division, as it is not part of the road alignment. Concerning the question of Urbandale paying additional cost should a narrower alignment be selected, Ms. Garvis stated that they would not be willing to pay for it.

Mikelis Svilans, Vice-president of Environment, Kanata Lakes Community Association (LKCA), provided a presentation that expressed their support for some aspects of this plan and to point out some of their concerns. A copy of this presentation is held on file with the City Clerk’s Office. The KLCA has participated in all of the consultations and given comments. They were happy to have been consulted and found this to have been a very fruitful exercise. Their concerns pertain to the encroachment on the natural environment of Trillium Woods, Watt’s Creek crossing, their completion of Terry Fox Drive and the junction at Kanata Avenue. They support alignment “C” as this does not encroach Trillium Woods. They feel it is important to maintain the woods in its present state as it was planned and that the limited development follows Snake Road.

Regarding Watt’s Creek crossing, he explained that the residents in this area are very active, cycling and walking, and skiing in the winter. Goulbourn Forced Road can be very busy at times making crossing dangerous and with 10, 000 units being built in this area it will get even busier. They would like to see an underpass at this point and a culvert has been suggested as the optimal solution, but they believe that a modified culvert in the form of an underpass would be the preferred solution.

Councillor Legendre had several questions about the underpass. His understanding from the report was that this type of underpass was for animal movement, but the presentation emphasized the need for people movement as well. Mr. Svilans explained that it has been shown that animals do use these types of underpasses as do humans and that perhaps with time they can be encouraged to use these. The underpass is a means to cross the busy section above safely.

Councillor Legendre raised the issue of what the city calls, Local Area Levee, a fee for any additional costs to infrastructure. If the community desires having an underpass, have they canvassed the community regarding the addition to their taxes? Mr. Svilans explained that at this point, they have not gone to this level but they have discussed this extensively in their community meetings.

In response to inquiries from Councillor Wilkinson, Mr. Svilans stated that they have looked at providing a walkway for pedestrians and possibly wildlife. Councillor Wilkinson also pointed out that the association stated that they wanted Snake Road to be part of the development, which is contrary to what Urbandale has stated. Mr. Svilans stated that Trillium Woods has been well defined in all plans; there is not a very strong argument that can be made as to why you would need to take lands out of the Trillium Woods for development. He feels that there is very little justification for encroaching into these woods. With respect to the environmental assessment, Mr. Svilans explained that normally an EA would be one of the first things that would be done, but this is not the case with in this situation. He felt that this was very unfortunate and would have preferred that it took place first as it would have saved many complications at the high school. As a parent and a user of Kanata Avenue on a daily basis, it would be preferable that the junction be simplified as much as possible. One junction corresponding to an entrance to the school would be a positive thing.

Upon reconvening the meeting, the committee proceeded with questions to staff.

Councillor Wilkinson asked some questions about the concern expressed by Mr. Svilans on the community’s desire for a separate pedestrian underpass. Her first inquiry was to the design of the crossing and could it not be easier to install with the causeway instead of the need for a bridge. Mr. Doyle indicated that the structure would need to be substantial enough to allow maintenance vehicles to pass and may still fall under bridge design requirements and may not just be a culvert type crossing. The design would also need to consider the need to be above the flood elevation, which would result in the total height of the causeway to be such that access issues would be encountered for the existing private road access for the Rockeries development.

The Councillor asked if the pedestrian crossing with the causeway was investigated through the EA process. Mr. Doyle's response was that it was and that it was discounted through the process due to the design issues that it presented and that the two alternatives worth considering were the causeway with an at grade pedestrian crossing and the bridge structure with the pedestrian crossing under the bridge. The point was raised that the practice at the City was not install underpass pedestrian crossing and that generally all crossing are at grade for all classifications of roads. It was noted that there are many concerns with underpass pedestrian crossings that are not related to construction elements such as security concerns from the public relating to lighting, lack of visibility for intruders, length of crossings, vandalism, etc...

The Councillor acknowledged these points and then asked if an at grade crossing is decided then could the ESR please indicate the need for ducts to be installed in the roadway for the possibility of a future signalized pedestrian crossing or control lights and we indicated that we would make sure this happened.

Her final suggestion was that staff looks into the process of changing the name from the Goulbourn Forced Road, as this road will not exist any more. This will be directed to the appropriate staff to facilitate.

That Transportation Committee recommend Council:

1. Receive the results of the Goulbourn Forced Road and Kanata Avenue Environmental Assessments, as shown in Documents 2 and 6, that were developed in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2. Request staff prepare the Environmental Study Report for the Goulbourn Forced Road and Kanata Avenue Environmental Assessments for the 30-day public review, in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

CARRIED