Report to/Rapport au:

Transportation and Transit Committee/

Comité des transports et des services en commun

and Council/ et au Conseil

11 June 2001/ le 11 juin 2001

Submitted by/Soumis par: R.T. Leclair, General Manager/Directrice générale

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

Contact/Personne resource: Rob Orchin, Manager/Gestionnaire

Mobility and Area Traffic Management/

Division de la gestion, de la mobilité et de la circulation locale

244-5300 extension 3662, robert.orchin@city.ottawa.on.ca

Ref N°: ACS2001-TUP-TRF-0013

SUBJECT: Closure of Robert Street between Lewis Street and Gilmour Street

OBJET: FERMETURE DE LA RUE ROBERT ENTRE LES RUES LEWIS ET GILMOUR

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve:

1. The closure of a section of Robert Street, from Lewis Street to Gilmour Street, within the former City of Ottawa, as detailed in Attachment 1, subject to technical circulation; and,

2. The change of Gilmour Street, from Salisbury Place to Robert Street, from a two-way configuration to one-way eastbound, subject to the approval of Recommendation 1.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande au Conseil d’approuver :

1. La fermeture d’une partie de la rue Robert, entre les rues Lewis et Gilmour, dan l’ancienne Ville d’Ottawa, tel qu’exposé en détail dans l’attachement 1, sous réserve de la circulation technique;

2. La modification de la rue Gilmour, entre la place Salisbury et la rue Robert, qui passerait d’une voie à double sens à une voie à sens unique vers l’est, sous réserve de l’approbation de la Recommandation 1.

DISCUSSION

Recommendation 1

Robert Street is located in the residential area of Centretown, east of Elgin Street. The southern three blocks are of conventional local road width, and accommodate two-way traffic, and on-street parking. The northern block of Robert Street, between Lewis Street and Gilmour Street, is 35 metres in length and varies in width from 2.5 metres to 9.0 metres. There are no private approaches or buildings fronting on this section of Robert Street.

Due to the narrow width of this block, traffic is restricted to one-way northbound. The roadway cannot be widened to meet the current minimum standard of 6.0 metres (for a one-way with no parking), given the proximity of an existing building on the west side and the current property lines. Further to public consultation, several residents indicated that the width of the street is sub-standard and often dangerous, specifically during winter months, (residents have indicated that the snow plows must travel with one set of wheels on the sidewalk). In addition, residents have indicated that vehicles often use the street as a two-way facility, which becomes a safety issue.

Staff is recommending that this block of Robert Street be closed to vehicular traffic and the asphalt be removed and replaced with grass and trees (see Attachment 1). In addition, the two existing sidewalks on Robert Street would be replaced with one sidewalk, to maintain the pedestrian link between Gilmour Street and Lewis Street.

The closure of this one block of Robert Street will not adversely affect the traffic flow in the area, as the volumes are low and local in nature. Local traffic can use Salisbury Place (which is a two-way street and is located approximately 55 metres to the west), or continue southerly on Robert Street to travel within the area. The amount of traffic that would be relocated as a result of the closure of this one block of Robert Street is considered negligible.

Recommendation 2

With the closure, it will be necessary to change part of Gilmour Street to a one-way operation. Currently, Gilmour Street is a two-way street from MacDonald Street to Robert Street, and from Robert Street to the Driveway, it is a one-way east bound. Given that Robert Street will no longer intersect Gilmour Street, it is necessary that Gilmour Street be changed to one-way eastbound, from Salisbury Place to where Robert Street now intersects, to be consistent with the eastern most part of the street.

CONSULTATION

Various forms of public consultation have occurred, such as a Community Notification, a Public Open House, and an advertisement in local newspapers.

Residents who attended the Public Open House agreed with this proposed closure of the northern block of Robert Street. A final notice with a plan of the closure was sent to all residents within a 100-metre radius and no comments have been received. Community notices have been sent out advising that the property owners will have to maintain the said area, consistent with normal practice for roadway boulevards. Staff have not received any complaints from the homeowners resulting from this additional maintenance.

On the issue of physical roadway changes, the Municipal Act, Section 300, requires that public notice of any modifications to the roadway or traffic operations be provided in daily papers for four consecutive weeks. One objection, received as a result of the Municipal Act process, is listed below with staff reply:

-The closure of Robert Street will result in additional traffic on Salisbury, Lewis, and Gilmour. (It is staff’s opinion that the closure will result in a negligible increase in traffic on those streets.)

-Parking is being removed on Gilmour as result of narrowing of Gilmour. (No change to the actual number of on-street parking on Gilmour Street.)

-As an option to the closure of Robert Street, the road should be widened by eliminating a sidewalk on one side of the street. (The road width would still not meet existing standards.)

-Building 28 and 32 Gimour will not maintain the new grassed areas as result of closure. (Further to the recent community notification pertaining to the closure we have not received any negative feedback from the affected properties.)

-Closure of Gilmour is undermining traffic calming plan. (Streetscaping and the removal of asphalt for the replacement of grass is consistent with the Centretown Traffic Calming Plan.)

Councillor Arnold is aware of the recommendation being made by staff to close this section of Robert Street. The Councillor was in attendance at the Public Open House, where this was presented to the public.

TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

The closure of this section of Robert Street to motor vehicles is in keeping with the general objectives of the Transportation Master Plan, as pedestrian access will be maintained. There will be a minor reduction in hard-surface area, and replacement of the existing road with grass boulevards.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The closure of Robert Street, from Lewis Street to Gilmour Street will not require additional funds from the Capital Budget - Roadway Modifications within the Integrated Road Sewer and Watermain Program. The street is being excavated for the installation of sewers and instead of reinstating the area with asphalt as currently exists, grass will be placed.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 - Proposed Closure of Robert Street between Gilmour and Lewis Street

DISPOSITION

Recommendations 1 and 2: Department of Transportation, Utilities and Public Works to close Robert Street, from Gilmour Street to Lewis Street, and to implement the change in direction on Gilmour Street.

ATTACHMENT 1

Proposed closure of Robert Street between Gilmour Street and Lewis Street