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Home My WebLink AboutEGD-013-10 avftwn REPORT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: May 3, 2010 Resolution#: 07�(-/,By-law#: N/A Report#: EGD-013-10 File#: Subject: MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION DISPLAYS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report EGD-013-10 be received; 2. THAT the name Clarington or Municipality of Clarington be the most prominent text on any future eastbound or westbound municipal identification displays along Highway 401; 3. THAT interested parties be advised of Councils decision. Submitted by: Reviewed by: — A. . Cannella, .E.T. Franklin Wu, Director of Engineering Chief Administrative Officer Services ASC/PW/jo CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 Wiftwil REPORT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: May 3, 2010 Resolution#: By-law#: N/A Report#: EGD-013-10 File#: Subject: MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION DISPLAYS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report EGD-013-10 be received; 2. THAT the name Clarington or Municipality of Clarington be the most prominent text on any future eastbound or westbound municipal identification displays along Highway 401; 3. THAT interested parties be advised of Councils decision. Submitted by: Reviewed by: -" A. . Cannella, .E.T. Franklin Wu, Director of Engineering Chief Administrative Officer Services ASC/PW/jo CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: EGD-013-10 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Many municipalities have constructed landscape displays along Highway 401 to help promote their identity. They are often located close to the municipal boundary and typically include a large sign indicating the name of the municipality along with a variety of landscaping. The Province reviews the design of these displays but does not provide funding for their construction. Clarington has an identification sign at both the east and west limits of the municipality along Highway 401, but does not have a landscaped municipal identification feature. On January 9, 2009, Durham MPP John O'Toole wrote to the Minister of Transportation (Attachment 1) for advice on how Bowmanville could establish a floral display along the 401. The display would spell out the name Bowmanville with landscape features such as shrubs and flowers. At the January 26, 2009 meeting, Council passed a resolution indicating its full support of the project. On March 25, 2009, the Minister of Transportation replied to MPP O'Toole's letter (Attachment 2). The Province of Ontario's policy was to permit one decorative municipal identification display for each direction of travel at or near the point where their municipal boundary crosses the highway. To be consistent across the province, permits for these were only considered for upper, lower and single tier municipalities. Based on those criteria, communities such as Newcastle, Bowmanville and Courtice could not be recognized on Highway 401 displays. On July 2, 2009, MPP O'Toole again wrote to the Minister of Transportation (Attachment 3) indicating that Clarington Council reaffirmed their support for the REPORT NO.: EGD-013-10 PAGE 3 concept of a landscape decorative municipal identification display at the 401 overpasses at Bowmanville. On December 15, 2009, the Minister wrote MPP O'Toole to inform him that the province had revised its policy. They will still permit each Municipality only one decorative municipal identification display for each direction of travel however; the displays can be located to recognize an individual community within a municipality (Attachment 4). The policy change allows municipalities the flexibility to determine which community within their boundaries to recognize along the 401 while still limiting the number of displays for safety purposes. On January 11, 2010, long time Bowmanville resident Robert Stevens wrote to Council requesting that Bowmanville be recognized along the 401. He enclosed a cheque for $1000 to be used only for that purpose. Council referred his correspondence to the Minister of Transportation of Ontario. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 Municipal Identification Displays A Highway 401 municipal identification display has never been included in the Capital Budget or forecast and staff is not recommending the construction of one at this time. Several correspondence items between MPP John O'Toole and the Minister of Transportation regarding a 401 identification display in Bowmanville have been sent to Council and Council indicated its support prior to knowing the provincial policy on municipal identification displays. Clarington is somewhat unique in that it has several distinct communities located along the 401 corridor. The province has made it clear that each municipality can only have one eastbound and one westbound decorative identification display along the 401 but they will allow the flexibility to recognize either a community within a municipality or the municipality itself on the display. REPORT NO.: EGD-013-10 PAGE 4 Most landscape displays along the 401 prominently display the name of the municipality on a sign. 2.2 Community Gateway Features In the 2006 Capital Budget, funding was approved for community gateway features in both Courtice and Bowmanville. The Courtice gateway feature has been constructed on the north side of Highway 2, just east of Centerfield Road. The display is a tiered garden with a large granite sign displaying the name Courtice (Attachment 5). The Bowmanville gateway feature will be located on the east side of Waverley Road between the 401 westbound off-ramp and the Waverley Road entrance to the Bowmanville Creek Developments project (Attachment 6). Only a portion of the land for that gateway feature is currently owned by the Municipality. The remaining land will be transferred to the municipality as a condition of the approval of the Bowmanville Creek Developments project, anticipated later in 2010. The conceptual plan for the Bowmanville gateway feature includes a large granite sign displaying the name Bowmanville along with landscape plantings and granite boulders. All vehicles exiting the 401 at Waverley Road and traveling north would pass the Bowmanville gateway feature. The Community Improvement Plans approved by Council for both Newcastle and Orono refer to the need for entry signage in those communities. The Newcastle CIP recommends the installation of landmark entry features at the entrances to Newcastle and specifically requests a landmark feature at the 401 entrances. The Orono CIP identifies the lack of adequate and consistent signage at the access points to Orono. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 Council's intent in approving funding for the Courtice and Bowmanville gateway projects was to recognize Clarington's individual communities at high traffic REPORT NO.: EGD-013-10 PAGE 5 entry points into those communities. The Courtice gateway feature is complete. Funding is in place for the Bowmanville gateway feature and it will be constructed once the remaining land has been acquired. The main entry points to other communities such as Newcastle and Orono may also merit a landscaped gateway feature. The scale and costs of each gateway feature can only be determined once an appropriate site is selected. Should Council wish to proceed with additional gateway projects, they could be referred to the Capital budget process. A Highway 401 identification display has never been included in the Capital Budget or forecast. Should Council wish to pursue an identification display located along the 401 a report recommending potential locations and costs could be prepared. Direction on what name should appear on the display would also be required. It is staffs recommendation that the name Clarington or Municipality of Clarington be the most prominent text on any future 401 displays. Mr. Stevens's $1000 donation offer was specifically directed to recognize Bowmanville along the 401. He has told staff that it cannot be used for the proposed Bowmanville gateway project on Waverley Road. Attachments: Attachment 1 — Letter from MPP John O'Toole to the Minister of Transportation (January 9, 2009) Attachment 2 — Letter from the Minister of Transportation to MPP John O'Toole (March 25, 2009) Attachment 3 — Letter from MPP John O'Toole to the Minister of Transportation (July 2, 2009) Attachment 4 — Letter from the Minister of Transportation to MPP John O'Toole (December 15, 2009) Attachment 5 — Photo of Courtice gateway feature Attachment 6 — Key Map of Bowmanville gateway feature location Report EGD-013-10 Attachment 1 Merb LEGISLAWEASSEMf6tY JOHN R.07001.1:„KP.P o (wWm vexomre: ea ouff yonxc Uluttim ft 318 15 Khg SL E Main Bids. Bmn, Wk i0two TaaXo "rb L1C1N4 M7A 1A9 TeL t-WO-$$7 2433 Td.(416)329-6745 00)697-1901 ' January 9,2W9 NX(4 1 61 325-62 5 9 ft(905)697-1506 E+naA;Jahn.ot4okco�pc.ob.ag The Hon.James Brad toy Minister of Transport ition 77 Wellesley St W, 31 d Flr,Ferguson Block Toronto ON M7A i Dear Minister: This note is with reg to the Highway 401 interchanges at Bowmanville. Minister, to help promote the Boa manville community, some citizens are interested in establishing a floral display on the eastbound and westbound 401. The suggestion is that the display would spell out the na me Bowmanville,along with providing attractive landscaping features through shrut is and flowers.It would be like many ether landscapes on Highway 401 where towns and nides show their civic pride through a decorative"gateway." Minister, could you p case advise how Bowmanville can establish a similar display in my Riding of Durham?A though Bowmanville is part of the Municipality of Clatington, it is the largest communi in the municipality and has a history dating back more than 150 years. I trust that its st tus as a thriving independent community within the municipality of Clariungton would n 3t prevent it from being included in a civic identity program for towns along the Hwy, 01 corridor. Since an interchange beautification project may need to be considered in connection with future interchange iml movements,could you also please provide an update concerning the Province of Ontario's plans to rebuild the two Highway 401 interchanges at Bowtnanviile7 Thank you for your cc nsidmation. I look forward to your reply. X rAA, Jo R. O'Toole, MP D c. Councillor Ron Hoc per—The Municipality of Clarington m► 188-4 HAO'd M-1 -M8 Nd?9:90 01-NYf-et Report EGD-013-10 Attachment 2 Urnisty of Onist8re des It Troe ° suremi TrOWWWts r Office of Nx MMtsMr 6ureeu du einlstro Ferguson Bbek,3rd Floor Edrm Fewuson.3'Maas 77 Welkaky at West 77.rue Welkaky ouast Orb Toronto,Ontsdo Toomo(ontono) M7A iZ8 M7A 1Z8 Me 827.9200 418 327.9200 WWW.Mtagov.on.ea www.ntagovon.os VAR 2 5 2009 Mr. John R. 070010, MF P Durham 75 King Street East Bowmanville, Ontario t-1C 1N4 , Dear Mr, o011r�,,� Thank you for your lettei regarding the installation of a floral display on Highway 401 in Bowmanville. My ministry supports eftrts to raise a municipality's profile by permitting landscaped Decorative Municipal Identification c isplays that include a municipality's name on provincial highways. To be consistent across the province, permits for such displays are only considered for upper, lower and single tier murlYicipalities, and First Nation Territories. Based on this criterion, we are unable to offer this oppolttunity to communities such as Bowmanville. However,we have other opportunities for communities such as Bowmanville that may want to be involved in the beaub ication of our highways. Our Adopt-A-Highway and Vegetation Management and Contn il programs encourage partnerships with local communities, community service groups, businesi es and Individuals on a volunteer basis to take an active role In maintaining and dean! a section of highway within a community. Anyone interested in either of these programs is en uraged to contact our Contracts Office at(416) 236-5462. Regarding improveme to Highway 401 interchanges in Bowmanville, ministry staff are proceeding with plans t undertake an environmental assessment and preliminary design for Improvements to the I rchande on Highway 401 at Holt Road. 'these Improvements would increase capacity at the pnterchange and Improve operations and safety throughout the local area as well as support 9-dario Power Generation's New Nuclear at Darlington Project. Ministry staff would also be pleased to review any proposals that the Bowmanville community may have to beautify or highway interchanges. If you would like more information, please contact Tom Hewitt, Head, Corridor Management Section, at (416)235-5095. Again, thank you for brir ging your constituents'concerns to my attention and please accept my best wishes. Yours sincerely, Av�- Jim Bradley Minister c: Councillor Ron I caper, The Municipality of Caalington. leg-d eo/9o'd lie-1 -Woad &WEO el-llyr-et Report EGD-013-10 Attachment 3 LEGtAAitYQ�t55✓>416LY JOHN IL 0700M mp. 4 QKdls park omcl: emsneenaome6 Dutm 104 443 75I0ng R t. Makl B*mwRk Ontario ... . . . . . . ._.--- _...____._._.._._... 10 LICIN4 .----._ ._.—._..._._. `•gM3�9 . •,— - -' .,.TeL1-BOD-661,2133 TAL016)M-6745 OW)697-1501 July 2,2009 Fax(416)3zs-sass FUM691-1506 Emas:ldnorookeod$yc.ola.org The Hon.James Bradle Minister of Transpo on 77 Wellesley 5t W,3rd FIr,Ferguson Block Toronto ON M7A 178 Dear Minister: Please find enclosed 2 letter I received from Clarington Council in which the councillors have reaffirmed by re olution that they support the concept of a landscaped decorative municipal identificatl in display at the Highway 401 overpasses at BowmanAlle. As you may recall,I wrote yo on this matter in correspondence dated January 9,2009. You replied March 25, 2 Minister,in view of s pport from the municipality for a landscape display at an individual town withi the Municipality of Clarington,I trust that your Ministry will consider making the a Tropriate changes in MTO policy. In my view, there are many other municipalities that would want the option of having a display at the entrance to a community that is wi ' their geographic area,but is not an independent municipality. What would be needs is an amendment allowing such displays for individual communities,provideA that the communities were in agreement,along with their municipal councils. Would you please revi w and reconsider the current rules,in which only municipalities may have an entrance 'splay on the 400-serie4 highways? Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your reply. Yo y, John R. 'Toole,MPP Durh Encl. c. Mayor Jim Abernethy&Council I� 188-d SOA0'd 1881 qui ""119:80 01-NYP-BZ Report EGD-013-10 Attachment 4 MWStryof I Mtnbtiredsa TrarA enaeon Transpom Ofte of the Mir &aaeu du minWe FeMuSon Bhxk.3rd Floor kOm Femuson.3'@tare n Wellesley St.Went 77,nw WGIWWW ouaet ortV10 Taordo,O"Wb TOMM(Orft to) M7A 128 M7A 1Z6 416 327-M 416 327.9200 www,mb.govon.ca www.mto.gov.Qn.ea MC 15 2002 Mr John R. O'Toole, MF P Durham 75 King Street East Bowmanville, Ontario UC 1N4 Dear Mr/vToole: Thank you for your do v up letter regarding the request from the Newcastle Community Improvement Committe for the Installation of a floral display on Highway 401 in Clarington. Further to my letter of IV arch 26, 2009, municipalities that qualify are permitted to build one decorative municipal Idi itification display for each direction of travel at or near the point where their municipal bounder crosses the highway. To be consistent across the province, permits for these displays are o ly considered for upper, lower and single tier municipalities. Based on this criterion,we are unable to offer this opportunity to communities such as Newcastle. In light of the concerns !sod by several of the communities within your riding,we are prepared to change our policy in rder to allow municipalities that are eligible, to transfer their option to install a display to a tow iship or hamlet within their boundary. In this case, Clarington would then be able to give up one or both of their decorative municipal displays to Newcastle. This policy change will afford municipalities the flexibility to determine which community within their boundaries is able Z install a decorative display while at the same time,for safety purpose, limit the number of displ aye along our highways. This policy change is expected to come into effect before the end of i he year_ Again, thank you for bridging your oonstituents' conoems to my attention and please accept my best wishes. Yours sincerely, Jim Bradley Minister c: Theresa Vanhe rbeke 188-d 80110-d 188-1 -AN:1 Ad1,8:80 01-W-8Z G 1 � il7ii a"Pli r s Rip IIA'RU F ✓z- 6.(P t il'y i Mi ii i>1 Y� V: g' 'II? 1Ii _ !4 iI y� i f j 3 4 rt4 9q ,� � f-? y + Report CD-013-10 Attachment 5 r C° _ ✓ f � Y r O Bowmanville.... Gateway ,y. I ocation �" t�� . - r i +. a Ah1wT r—Hvry. ND. 2 � yv "N, BOWMANVIL�L�E l i!,-F -* f C , r yl Q � CL - s I® _ - �� DRAWN BY: E.L. DATE: March 31, 2010 eased e_gd. T1 - REPORT EGD-013-10 KEY MAP ATTACHMENT NO. 6 :1A tachmentMBowmanville Gatewa .mx