The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPD-122-98' DN: PD-122-98 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: Date: General Purpose and Administration Committee October 19, 1998 Report #: PD-122-98 FILE Subject: WATERFRONT TRAIL PLN 15.11 Recommendations: File #~03. wA . Res. # r, P A - 5-5~~9~ By-law # It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. THAT Report PD-122-98 be received: THAT Lakeshore Road from Bond Head to Clarington/Hope Township boundary be designated as the Waterfront Trail as shown on Attachment #2; THAT the sum of $3,000.00 be withdrawn from the Waterfront Trail Reserve Account for purchasing the signs for the Trail east of Bond Head; and THAT the persons listed on the interested parties list attached to this report be forwarded a copy of this report and a copy of Council's decision. INTRODUCTION 1.1 In January, 1994 Council approved ultimate and interim alignments for the Waterfront Trail from the Oshawa/Clarington boundary to Bond Head. A map of both Trail routes is found on Attachment #1. The Trail is part of a Provincial Trail that follows the north shore of Lake Ontario from Niagara to Trenton. The ultimate alignment is the long-term plan for the Trail, which would be implemented as budgets permit, and properties become available. The interim alignment usually follows existing roads and was the most expedient way of providing connections in the initial building of the Trail. ~~2 REPORT NO.: PD-122-98 PAGE 2 In Clarington, the ultimate alignment is relatively close to the shoreline of Lake Ontario, taking advantage of views of the lake and areas of natural and cultural significance. Portions of the ultimate trail alignment have been completed, through Darlington Provincial Park, Darlington Generating Station, Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area and the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. All other portions of the trail are on the interim alignment, which in time, will be moved to the ultimate alignment. 1.2 There are two gaps in the Waterfront Trail, which were not approved by Council in 1995 because of a number of unresolved issues. The sections are: - Bond Head to Hope Township; and - between Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road. Staff and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust have been working together to find appropriate solutions for Trail alignments in these areas. 1.3 A number of issues still remain unresolved with the alignment between Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road. However, the purpose of this report is to discuss the various options for the Trail from Bond Head to Hope Township and recommend to Council an appropriate solution. 2. WATERFRONT TRAIL EAST OF BOND HEAD 2.1 The Clarington Waterfront Plan, prepared by Bird & Hale in 1993, recommended the Waterfront Trail be aligned along Lakeshore Road. Staff did not proceed with this recommendation for a trail alignment east of Bond Head, in January 1995, for the following reasons: i) Mr. Michael, a local farmer, indicated that spraying pesticides on near by crops could harm trail users passing by; and 613 REPORT NO.: PD-122-98 PAGE 3 ii) Road safety issues associated with Lakeshore Road. Staff indicated that these issues would be reviewed and would report back with recommendations at a later date. 2.2 Agricultural Pesticides The Waterfront Regeneration Trust retained the law firm of McCarthy Tetrault to report on the liability and risk management issues associated with the Waterfront Trail. Among the various issues discussed, the report commented on trails through agricultural communities. The Bruce Trail is routed through the agricultural community in the Niagara Peninsula; any type of conflict, nuisance or injury has never been raised as an issue or as the subject of any claim. The long-standing experience of that trail without claims or complaints is probably the strongest evidence that the risk of conflict or injury between agricultural pesticide use and trail users is minimal. 2.3 Road Safety Issues Lakeshore Road is a forced road with limited area for shoulders or ditches. The traffic volumes on Lakeshore Road during the summer months average 400 vehicles per day, reaching over 500 on weekends. The speed is not posted along Lakeshore Road, and is not required under the Highway Traffic Act, but is assumed to be 80km/h. The section through Port Granby is posted at 60km/h. The actual speed is lower given the of number of turns in the road. Staff has examined the road safety issues in the context of design criteria in the Ontario Bikeway Planning and Design Guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Transportation and the Design, Signage, and Maintenance Guidelines prepared by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. Ministry of Transportation Guidelines The Ministry's guidelines suggest that a shared roadway design (for vehicles and bicycles) is appropriate if speeds are less than 75 km/h and if traffic volumes 614 REPORT NO.: PD-122-98 PAGE 4 are 400 vehicles or less per lane (800 for two-way traffic). It is not recommended for locations where motor vehicle speeds exceeds 75km/h and daily volume exceeds 20,000 vehicles. The Waterfront Regeneration Trust's Criteria The chart below identifies various standards for trails on roads in rural areas. Roadway Pedestrian & cyclists Pedestrians Cyclists Local Road 2.7m multi-use path 1.2m gravel 1.2m exclusive Speed under 80km/h shoulders cycling lands Volumes under or 1000SADT* 1.2 m asphalt shoulder Local Road 2.7m multi-use path Shared roadway Shared roadway Speed under 80km/h or Volumes under 400 shared pathway SADT* *Summer average daily traffic In addition to the technical design criteria, the Trust's guidelines provide a profile on the various types of Trail users. The report states that: - Leisure walkers may walk up to 8 kilometres per day or spend on average two and ahalf--hours on trails usually within urban areas; - Distance hikers will walk up to 10 kilometres, they are more keenly interested in natural features, expect fewer amenities and are attracted to rural areas; and - Cyclists will take day trips between 15 and 45 kilometres in urban areas and between 20 and 90 kilometres in rural areas. A typical visit is one to two and a half hours (assuming 18km/h). bl5 REPORT NO.: PD-122-98 PAGE 5 3. STAFF COMMENTS 3.1 Staff examined Concession Road 1 as a possible alternative route. It is not a forced road and has a standard road allowance. The traffic volumes on Concession Road 1 are similar but the speed is actually higher because it is straight from Newtonville Road to Mill Street. It is often used as an alternate to the Hwy 401. Concession Road 1 is also a considerable distance from the Lakeshore. Attachment #2 illustrates the proposed trail route from Bond Head to Hope Township. Lakeshore Road meets the technical criteria for pedestrians and cyclists. However, the distance between Bond Head and the next rest area with amenities such as restaurants and telephones, in Port Hope, is 26km. In recognition of the various types of trail users and the design criteria, Staff has concluded that Lakeshore Road would be best suited for cyclists only. The Clarington Waterfront Plan recommends a number of rest stop areas and amenity areas for the Waterfront Trail along the entire waterfront of Clarington. A number of them are located on unopened road allowances, which are also identified on Attachment #2. Staff will be examining the feasibility of utilizing any one of the road allowances for a rest stop area in the future. 3.2 The Municipality cannot restrict pedestrians from using a public road. However, it can recommend that Lakeshore Road is best suited for cyclists. The Waterfront Trust prepares a guidebook and maps for the Trail. Each publication will recommend Lakeshore Road be used only by cyclists. In addition, a Trailhead sign will be installed at Bond Head indicating the length of the trail to the next amenity area. bib REPORT NO.: PD-122-98 PAGE 6 3.3 Signs and trail markers will be installed along Lakeshore Road. Additional signs will be placed at the level train crossings, and cautionary signs for both cyclists and drivers, indicating that the road is a shared surface. The cost of these signs is approximately $3000.00. Staff recommends that the funds be withdrawn from the Waterfront Trail Reserve Account for this expenditure. 4. RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 Lakeshore Road is used on a regular basis by cyclists. The rural character and lake vistas of this area make Lakeshore Road one of the most scenic routes along the northshore of Lake Ontario. It is a prime location for the Waterfront Trail. Staff recommend that Lakeshore Road from Bond Head to Hope Township be approved as a section of Clarington Waterfront Trail and that appropriate signs be purchased and erected. Respectfully submitted, Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Development Stephe~ PP. En Director of Public Works CS*DC*FW*km 6 October 1998 Attach. ~/ Chief Administrative Officer. Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Mr. David Crombie Waterfront Regeneration Trust 207 Queen's Quay West, Suite 580 TORONTO, Ontario M5J lA7 biz V . nTTwr~~ u~r u-r b