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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-20 Minutes Garinmn Leading the Way Approved by Committee Members CLARINGTON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON Minutes of Meeting Thursday, March 20, 2008 PRESENT: (Chair)Clayton Morgan (Vice-Chair) Gord Lee Andrew Bouma Councillor Adrian Foster Kerry Meydam Sandy Lyall David Reesor Lisa Robinson Georg Krohn Gillian Bellefontaine Wallace Bradley ALSO Leslie Benson, Manager of Transportation & Design PRESENT: Ron Baker, Traffic & Transportation Co-ordinator Stuart McAllister, Road Safety Co-ordinator, Durham Region, Constable Esther Rathwell, Durham Regional Police Services REGRETS: Elwood Ward Tony Cannella, Director of Engineering Services 1.0 ADOPTION OF MINUTES-(February 21, 2008) The following motion was proposed: THAT: "The minutes of the February 21, 2008 meeting are approved with no changes." MOVED: by Sandy Lyall; SECONDED by Kerry Meydam. CARRIED CTMAC Minutes 2 March 20, 2008 2.0 ITEMS FOR INFORMATION 2.1 Road Watch-(Gord Lee) Gord Lee advised that to date there have been 7 citizen's reports picked up in three months (three were from March 11th). Gord explained that drivers are more cautious in the winter and that this lessens the number of speeders on the roads as well as the reckless operation of vehicles. The Committee is currently in the process of preparing a Road Watch article for publication in the Clarington This Week newspaper. The article will appear in either the regular weekly paper or in the new quarterly insert that the municipality is producing. The next insert by the Municipality is scheduled for May of this year. If there is no space available in that edition, it will appear in the regular paper when space allows. 2.2 Highway 407 Update-(Leslie Benson) There was nothing to report this month. Leslie will attend the next meeting which will be held on April 1st° 2008. She will report at the April meeting. 3.0 AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 3.1 Brookhill Subdivision Design Presentation-Leslie Benson Leslie read to the Committee a portion from the Brookhill Neighborhood Official Plan Amendment Report that was presented at the last General Purpose and Administration meeting. She also presented a Powerpoint presentation to members that highlighted topics such as the Brookhill Process, Structural Plan, Demonstration Plan, Land Use and Transportation Policies and Green Lands and Open Space. Leslie explained that at present there are design guidelines in place. There was a question and answer session after the presentation and questions and comments from the members were as follows: • There were concerns that the roads in this community will be 18 meters rather than the 20 meters we normally see. Some wondered how this may affect our ability to use snow plows, etc. • Some questioned visibility when backing out of the garage. • Some had concerns about crime. Leslie commented that the lanes will have lighting. • Because the garage is at the back of the house rather than the front, it may not be maintained as well making the lanes unattractive; however; a member that visited Europe commented that there are quite a few homes with rear lane designs and he said that they are very attractive. By not having the cars out front it leaves a nicer looking front yard. He stated that there is no more crime than anywhere else. CTMAC Minutes 3 March 20, 2008 • Multi-vehicle families may be an issue with respect to parking; therefore public transportation should be considered for these areas. Leslie did advise that there is a By-Law that states there must be parking for 2 vehicles on any property. Currently there is a By-Law in progress regarding the storage of boats and trailers etc. Len Creamer, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement will be attending the next meeting for a question and answer session to help clarify By-Law enquiries. • The cost for maintaining two roads, storm sewers and two frontages was discussed. • There is anticipation of extra complaints for these areas. • Added traffic was a concern, but traffic studies have been conducted for this area. • Snow storage could be a concern. Boulevards in back lanes will be narrower than conventional streets. The Engineering Department is considering this type of development as a pilot project in the use of rear lane designs and feels that it has an attractive streetscape. Leslie urged members to visit the Cornell Subdivision in Markham which is located north of the Hospital on the 16th, north of Highway 7 in order to get a sense of these designs. They are very well maintained and some have coach houses (like in-law suites). There is also the development west of Canadian Tire in Cobourg which is almost entirely rear lanes with the setback being off the rear lane with plenty of area to park. Brookhill will not be designed this way. 3.2 Review of Courtice Corridor Study-Durham Hwy. 2 from Townline Road to Varcoe, and Durham Road 55 from Durham Hwy. 2 to Nash Road, Statistics from-Stuart McAllister & Constable Esther Rathwell. The Region uses the PSI (Potential for Safety Improvement) analysis methodology which is state of the art and mandatory in the U.S.A. It compares roads with similar volumes, characteristics and geometry in order to statistically compare and rank locations. Stuart commented that no location will be free of collisions, but through this analysis it can be determined which locations are experiencing more than the expected number. The analysis for 2007 showed that Townline Road from Highway 2 to Nash Road, and Highway 2 from Townline Road to Varcoe Road has the 2nd and 4th highest PSI values for road segments in the Region, and were the highest overall in Clarington. A brief analysis done last year showed a significant drop in right-angle type collisions since the construction of the median east of Townline Road in 2000. The Region realizes that they need to address the high PSI values of these two road segments, and will pursue the matter further with their Transportation group with a view to include future improvements in the Region's Capital Budget. CTMAC Minutes 4 March 20, 2008 Constable Rathwell confirmed that radar has been set up in these areas. Councillor Foster thought that a median would be beneficial in front of the Esso Station on Darlington Boulevard and Highway 2; as well as one at the exit from the Swiss Chalet on Highway 2. 4.0 NEW BUSINESS AT DIRECTION OF CHAIR 4.1 Railway-Peterborough to Toronto There is an old established railway line (Havelock Line) that is to be potentially refurbished to accommodate a commuter train service. Committee members look forward to seeing this come into effect. 4.2 Tim Horton's-Baseline Road-Bowmanville Stuart McAllister advised that a proposal plan has been received for new vehicle queuing at this site which has been sent to the transportation expert. 4.3 Trailer Used as a Sign There is a trailer parked west of the DOT weigh scales with the words "Wendy" on it and the trailer itself is very untidy looking. One of the members wrote a letter to complain about the unsightly trailer and all he received was a form letter as a reply. 4.4 Durham Road 3 & Durham Road 57 Stuart McAllister advised the Committee that there have been two fatal accidents at this intersection which have similar characteristics and occurred within a short time frame of each other. Both incidents are under investigation. 4.5 In-The-Zone The Durham Regional Police were out in full force after the school breaks promoting Community Safety Zones. It was very successful and they pulled over quite a few people for speeding. 4.6 Snow on Roadways There have been instances where residents have thrown the excess snow from their driveways into the middle of the road making it difficult for cars to travel through it. Councillor Foster advised members that plough operators do report snow that has been put onto roadways. CTMAC Minutes 5 March 20, 2008 4.7 Sign By-Law A consultant has been hired to deal with the large number of mobile signs in Clarington especially along Highway 2 in Courtice. It was noted that Clarington municipal By-Law officers also respond to Region of Durham roadways. 5.0 NEXT MEETING DATE- April 17, 2008-7:00 P.M. Committee Room 1C-Enter via Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, through the north door on Church Street(Library entrance doors). 6.0 ADJOURNMENT MOVED by; Gord Lee THAT: "The meeting be adjourned at 8:40 p.m."