3.             Waiver of the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the temporary installation of wayfinding signs during preston street reconstruction.

 

DÉROGATION AU Règlement CONCERNANT les enseignes sur les routes de la ville AFIN DE PERMETTRE L’INSTALLATION TEMPORAIRE de panneaux directionnels pendant les travaux de reconstruction de la rue preston

 

 

 

committee recommendation as amended

 

That Council approve the waiver of Section 4 of By-law No. 2003-520, the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the installation of a temporary wayfinding sign system during the reconstruction of Preston Street provided that:

a.         The sign system is comprised of “Business Listing” signs, placed along Rochester Street or other routes as agreed to by staff, and “Advanced Notice” signs placed in advance of the Preston Street construction area on Gladstone, Somerset W., Albert, Raymond and at Carling at Booth and Carling at Champagne,

b.         The signs be fabricated, installed, maintained and removed by the City of Ottawa at the cost up to $8,000

c.         The signs shall only be placed during the reconstruction of Preston Street; and,

d.         In accordance with the City’s Tourism and Public Service Signs Policy the dimensions of the signs are no greater than 60cm in width and 90cm in height.

 

Recommandations modifiées du comité

 

Que le Conseil d’approuver la dérogation à l’article 4 du Règlement no 2003-520, Règlement concernant les enseignes sur les routes de la Ville, afin de permettre l’installation temporaire de panneaux directionnels pendant les travaux de reconstruction de la rue Preston, sous réserve des dispositions suivantes :

a.         Le système se compose de panneaux de « liste d’entreprises », installés le long de la rue Rochester ou de toute autre rue avec la permission du personnel, et de panneaux « Annonce de travaux » placés avant le début de la zone de construction de la rue Preston, sur l’avenue Gladstone et les rues Somerset O., Albert et Raymond, de même qu’à l’angle de Carling et Booth et de Carling et Champagne;

b.         Les panneaux seront fabriqués, installés, entretenus et enlevés par la ville d'Ottawa au coût jusqu'à 8 000$

c.         Les panneaux demeureront en place uniquement pendant la durée des travaux de reconstruction de la rue Preston;

d.         Conformément à la Politique sur la signalisation pour les lieux touristiques et les services publics, les panneaux ne dépasseront pas 60 cm de largeur et 90 cm de hauteur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.         City Council report dated 26 February 2009 (ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0003).

 

2.         Extract of Draft Minute, 15 April 2009

 

Report to / Rapport au :

 

Transportation Committee /

Comité des transports

 

And Council / et au Conseil

 

30 March 2009 / le 30 mars 2009

 

Submitted by / Soumis par : Diane Holmes

 

Contact / Personne-ressource : Councillor Diane Holmes

(613) 580-2484, Diane.Holmes@ottawa.ca

 

Somerset (14)

Ref N°: ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0004

 

 

SUBJECT:

Waiver of the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the temporary installation of wayfinding signs during preston street reconstruction.

 

 

OBJET :

DÉROGATION AU Règlement CONCERNANT les enseignes sur les routes de la ville AFIN DE PERMETTRE L’INSTALLATION TEMPORAIRE de panneaux directionnels pendant les travaux de reconstruction de la rue preston.

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Transportation Committee recommends that Council approve the waiver of Section 4 of By-law No. 2003-520, the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the installation of a temporary wayfinding sign system during the reconstruction of Preston Street provided that:

a.         The sign system is comprised of “Business Listing” signs, placed along Rochester Street or other routes as agreed to by staff, and “Advanced Notice” signs placed in advance of the Preston Street construction area on Gladstone, Somerset W., Albert, Raymond and at Carling at Booth and Carling at Champagne,

b.         The signs be fabricated, installed, maintained and removed by the Preston Street B.I.A.;

c.         The signs shall only be placed during the reconstruction of Preston Street; and,

d.         In accordance with the City’s Tourism and Public Service Signs Policy the dimensions of the signs are no greater than 60cm in width and 90cm in height.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports recommande au Conseil d’approuver la dérogation à l’article 4 du Règlement no 2003-520, Règlement concernant les enseignes sur les routes de la Ville, afin de permettre l’installation temporaire de panneaux directionnels pendant les travaux de reconstruction de la rue Preston, sous réserve des dispositions suivantes :

a.         Le système se compose de panneaux de « liste d’entreprises », installés le long de la rue Rochester ou de toute autre rue avec la permission du personnel, et de panneaux « Annonce de travaux » placés avant le début de la zone de construction de la rue Preston, sur l’avenue Gladstone et les rues Somerset O., Albert et Raymond, de même qu’à l’angle de Carling et Booth et de Carling et Champagne;

b.         Les panneaux seront fabriqués, installés, entretenus et enlevés par la ZAC de la rue Preston;

c.         Les panneaux demeureront en place uniquement pendant la durée des travaux de reconstruction de la rue Preston;

d.         Conformément à la Politique sur la signalisation pour les lieux touristiques et les services publics, les panneaux ne dépasseront pas 60 cm de largeur et 90 cm de hauteur.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

In response to concern expressed by its membership, the Preston Street B.I.A. has developed a wayfinding sign system that, if approved, would assist the travelling public in locating business that are open during the closure and reconstruction of Preston Street.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The upcoming reconstruction of Preston Street will involve the complete closure of the street to vehicular traffic between Poplar Street and the Queensway overpass, and Beech Street and Carling Avenue.

 

The businesses along the street expressed a concern that the complete closures will have significant impacts in that the public may not be aware that the businesses will remain open during the construction, or that the businesses may be difficult to locate during the construction.  In response, the Preston Street B.I.A. has developed and is proposing a wayfinding sign system that, if installed, will address the concerns.

 

The wayfinding sign system is comprised of two types of signs as pictured in Document 1, attached.  The first type of sign, the “Advance Notice” is proposed to be placed in advance of the Preston Street construction area on Gladstone, Somerset W., Albert, and at Carling at Booth and Carling at Champagne, with the intent to provide advance notice to the travelling public that the businesses are still open during construction.  The second type of sign, the “Business Listing” signs are proposed to be placed along Rochester Street or other routes as agreed to by staff, to assist both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in locating specific businesses.

 

The size of both signs are in accordance with the dimensions of a small vertical wayfinding sign as noted in the City’s Tourism and Public Service Signs Policy, namely: 60 cm in width and 90 cm in height (24” x 36”).

 

The Preston Street B.I.A. will enter into an agreement with the City stipulating that the signs will be fabricated, installed and maintained by the Preston Street B.I.A.  Further, that the signs will only be installed during the reconstruction of Preston Street after which the signs will be removed by the B.I.A.

 

The Signs on City Roads By-law currently does not permit the installation of the proposed signs.

 

In view of the fact that the reconstruction will have a significant impact on the business along Preston Street and that the signs will be installed at no cost to the City, it is recommended that Section of 4 of the Signs on Roads By-law be waived to allow the temporary installation of these signs, as provided for by the conditions in the recommendation.

 

 

CONSULTATION / PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

 

The Preston Street BIA is in support of this report and the Dalhousie Community Association is aware of this proposal and has expressed no concerns.

 

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

Since Council enacted the by-law referenced in this Report it is within Council’s jurisdiction to waive the application of a particular provision in appropriate circumstances.  In such event, there would be no adverse Legal/Risk Management implications for the City.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

No financial implications will result from the recommendations.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1 – Sample of “Advance Notice” and “Business Listing” signs.

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Staff of the Safety and Traffic Services Division of the Traffic and Parking Operation Branch to take appropriate action as directed by the Committee, and will advise the proponent.

 

 

Document 1 – Sign Samples

 

 

Advance Notice Sign

(Example only, sign will include a directional arrow)

 

 

 

Business Listing Sign

Waiver of the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the temporary installation of wayfinding signs during preston street reconstruction

DÉROGATION AU Règlement CONCERNANT les enseignes sur les routes de la ville AFIN DE PERMETTRE L’INSTALLATION TEMPORAIRE de panneaux directionnels pendant les travaux de reconstruction de la rue preston

ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0004                                                                                         SOMERSET (14)

 

Councillor Legendre noted his support of the report, but suggested amending recommendation B.  Given that the City is reconstructing Preston Street, he felt the City should be paying for the signage.  Staff noted that this was a BIA initiative and did not request the City to pay for it, but will take into consideration.

 

Moved by Councillor Legendre

 

That Recommendation b be amended as follows:

 

The signs be fabricated, installed, maintained and removed by the City of Ottawa.

 

Councillor Holmes commented that the BIA is prepared to pay for these unique and friendly signs, to show that Little Italy is alive and well and continue to be opened for business.

 

The Committee heard from the following Public Delegations:

 

Peter Childs made the following comments opposing the report:

 

In response to a question from Councillor Leadman, Mr. Childs clarified that there would be 20 business and notice signs.  He noted that his major concern is with the business listing signs, as they will be located at every block on residential streets.  John Manconi, General Manager of Public Works explained that the signs would be located on Rochester Street, which is the detour to get to Preston Street.  The councillor asked if it is a temporary solution and for how long the signs will be up.  He added that the signs would be up for the duration of the construction period only.

 

Councillor Leadman noted her concern of the possibility of other BIAs requesting these types of signs, referencing other areas such as Richmond Road and Wellington Street, which have gone through construction and had wayfinding signs along certain corridors.

 

Councillor Legendre thanked the delegation for his presentation and understood his concerns, although felt that the visual clutter would be the construction equipment and the hole in the middle of the street.  He explained the intention of his motion was not to change the nature of the signs designed by the BIA, but to ensure that the City pay for the signs due to the fact that it is the City that is inconveniencing the area with construction.

 

Lori Mellor, President, Preston Street BIA informed the Committee that last year, the BIA had difficulty with the signage and the detour signs left the patrons confused, which resulted in seven businesses closing.  The ward Councillor contacted approximately 400 homes in the neighbourhood, making people aware of the signs and asking for comments and suggestions.  Unfortunately only two responses were received, one against the signage and another in favour. 

 

Ms. Mellor advised that the BIA spoke to the Dalhousie Community Association who approved the signage.  The total budget for the signs is $15,000, which includes the artwork and location planning.  The cost for the physical signs is $8,000.  Construction is scheduled to begin on 2 May 2009; therefore the signs will need to be made quickly.  She noted that a tenure has been done to get the prices for the signs and the artwork is ready.  All that is required is the permission from the City.

 

Chair McRae commented that she is pleased the BIA is willing to do this for patrons who want to go to Preston Street.  In addition for the businesses, she highlighted that the signs will be important for the safety of residents.

 

Councillor Wilkinson was concerned that the signs were more for advertising, although acknowledged that they will be helpful during the construction period.  Ms. Mellor stated that the BIA understood the councillor’s concern and explained that was why the board was willing to pay for the signs themselves.  Ms Mellor noted that the biggest concern is not to delay erecting the signs.

 

Councillor Leadman asked why the signs last year were inadequate.  Ms Mellor explained that the detour routes had changed; therefore, the signs were inaccurate.  She noted that these signs are designed in a way that if the routes change, the signs can be easily moved to reflect the change.  When asked by the councillor as to who paid for the signs last year, Ms. Mellor indicated that the City paid for them.  The Councillor then asked what a fair value would be for the signs.  Ms. Mellor explained that $8,000 is the quote the BIA received which includes labour, installation and the sign.

 

Councillor Leadman proposed a friendly amendment to include the cost up to $8,000.  Councillor Legendre mentioned the reasoning for his motion is that the construction will be affecting business in a poor economic climate and that it should not be the main preoccupation of the committee to set a cost limit on this issue.  Chair McRae commented that if Committee is going to set a precedent, it should not give out a blank cheque.  With this explanation, Councillor Legendre accepted the friendly amendment.

 

Councillor Holmes asked staff if they are prepared to act on the amended recommendation.  Mr. Manconi stated if approved by Council, the BIA would proceed with their program and send the City the bill for reimbursement.

 

Moved by Councillor Legendre:

 

That Recommendation b be amended as follows:

 

The signs be fabricated, installed, maintained and removed by the City of Ottawa at the cost of up to $8,000.

 

                                                                                                      CARRIED

 

 

That the Transportation Committee recommends that Council approve the waiver of Section 4 of By-law No. 2003-520, the Signs on City Roads By-law to permit the installation of a temporary wayfinding sign system during the reconstruction of Preston Street provided that:

a.   The sign system is comprised of “Business Listing” signs, placed along Rochester Street or other routes as agreed to by staff, and “Advanced Notice” signs placed in advance of the Preston Street construction area on Gladstone, Somerset W., Albert, Raymond and at Carling at Booth and Carling at Champagne,

b.         The signs be fabricated, installed, maintained and removed by the City at the cost of up to $8,000,

c.         The signs shall only be placed during the reconstruction of Preston Street; and,

d.         In accordance with the City’s Tourism and Public Service Signs Policy the dimensions of the signs are no greater than 60cm in width and 90cm in height.

 

                                                                                                      CARRIED, as amended