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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-90-94Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee Date: Monday, July 18, 1994 Report #: PD -90 -94 File #: _ PLN 15.11 Subject: STATUS REPORT WATERFRONT TRAIL File # 0 9 , , C7 a�) Fees.# C Sy -Law # Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD -90 -94 be received; 2. THAT the revised interim alignment for the trail in the vicinity of the Port of Newcastle lands (Section 11) be endorsed as shown on Attachment #2; 3. THAT be Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute various agreements to implement the waterfront trail as indicated in this report; and 4. THAT Staff be authorized to seek contributions from corporations, community groups and service clubs for various projects along the waterfront trail including Interpretive Signage. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1. On January 21, Council adopted the following staff recommendations: • endorsed a general alignment for the interim and ultimate Provincial waterfront trail between Oshawa /Clarington Townline and Bond Head, save and except the area between Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road. • endorsed Staff's submission to the Waterfront Regeneration Trust for funding in the amount of $259,938.00 for Clarington's Trail Project and ....2 PAP EA� E V A THIS IS PRIMED ON REGYGI DPAPER REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 2 allocated of funds in the amount of $64,790 as the Municipality's share for trail construction; and • authorized Staff to negotiate with private landowners, Ontario Hydro, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources to secure access agreements. 1.2 On July 5, 1994 the Waterfront Regeneration Trust advised Staff that the Municipality has been granted the requested amount of $259,938.00 under Jobs Ontario Capital Program for the construction of Clarington's interim waterfront trail. Approval of funding was contingent on a commitment from the municipality to do the following; • install trail identification signs supplied by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust; • maintain and manage the trail under our jurisdiction; and • complete the trail projects by March 31, 1995. 2. THE LAKE ONTARIO GREENWAY STRATEGY STEERING COMMITTEE The Lake Ontario Greenway Strategy (LOGS) Steering Committee is a committee of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. The Committee is formed of representatives from across the Greater Toronto Bioregion (GTB) and is responsible for co- ordinating the implementation of the Waterfront Trail across the GTB. Municipal staff are members of this Committee. The Steering Committee has prepared Trail Design and Signage Guidelines. The Design Guidelines are intended to be used as a guide for trail design and provides alternative approaches when developing the ultimate trail. The Signage Guidelines provide the minimum signage standards and preferred signage types for the trail. ....3 REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 3 The Committee recently adopted an identification sign for the Waterfront Trail (See Attachment 1). The Trust has committed to produce and cover the cost of the signs as well as to reimburse each municipality for the cost of purchasing posts. The Municipality will be responsible for providing Trail Head signs and Interpretative signs as well as the installation of the signage and posts. 3. PROGRESS ON CLARINGTON'S WATERFRONT TRAIL 3.1 A Waterfront Trail Implementation Committee has been established comprising of members of Planning, Public Works and Community Services Staff. The Committee reflects the joint responsibilities for planning the trail and securing access agreements; constructing the trail; and maintaining and marketing the trail. Public Works Department has engaged Totten Sims Hubicki to design the trail, prepare the construction documents and supervise the actual construction. A landscape architect and engineer from Totten Sims Hubicki attend the meetings of the Waterfront Trail Implementation Committee. The Trust's recent commitment of funds with the March, 1995 deadline places a very strict timeline on this project, particularly given the need to complete negotiations for access agreements. 3.2 Access Agreements In accordance with Council's previous authorization, staff have entered into initial discussions to secure lands and /or access for the waterfront trail. ....4 o REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 4 Five Types of accesses are being negotiated: • Acquisition - The Municipality would acquire a fee simple ownership of land. • Easements - The Municipality would acquire a perpetual easement for the trail, any structures and public access for recreational purposes • Access Agreements • Leasehold Agreements • Recreational License - The Municipality would enter into an agreement with a public agency like CLOCA to provide for the waterfront trail and public access on CLOAC lands. - The Municipality would secure public access from a private landowner for a specified period of time on a leasehold arrangement. - The Municipality would purchase a recreational licence to use public lands such as Ontario Hydro corridors for the waterfront trail. The licence would specify the length of time and conditions for termination. In addition, a number of the negotiations are for partnership arrangements in which the Municipality and the agency /landowner would contribute to the development and maintenance of the waterfront trail and associated facilities. The various agreements under negotiation are shown in the table below. ....5 REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 5 LANDOWNER TYPE OF AGREEMENT COST OF AGREEMENT 1. Ontario Hydro • transmission corridors Recreation Permit $1. /annum • Darlington Nuclear Station Partnership Recreation Permit $1. /annum 2. Ministry of Natural Resources • Wilmot Creek Crossing Easement or Lease Unknown at this time • Darlington Prov. Park Partnership No cost Access Agreement 3. Region of Durham • former pumphouse at Port Acquisition No cost; part of land Darlington exchange • Wilmot Creek Crossing on Access Agreement No cost easement • Wilmot Creek Water Partnership No cost Pollution Control Plant Access Agreement 4. CLOCA • Bowmanville Harbour Partnership No cost Conservation Area Access Agreement 5. Bramalea Partnership Unknown at this time Leasehold Agreement 6 Waisglass Leasehold Agreement Unknown at this time As part of the negotiations, Staff have met with all affected agencies and lands owners to seek an optimal trail alignment which minimizes impact to their lands while maximizes the experience for the trail user. Staff have received favourable responses from all parties and each have expressed a willingness to assist the Municipality in implementing the waterfront trail. REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 6 3.3 Trail Alignment 3.3.1 There is one proposed change to the interim alignment of the trail in the vicinity of lands owned by Bramalea Limited. The new Regional water pollution control plant at Wilmot Creek incorporates the waterfront trail along the west side of the plant facing Wilmot Creek Marsh. Staff have entered into discussions with Bramalea Limited to provide a trail loop to the waterfront in the vicinity of Toronto Street (See Attachment). It is anticipated that a lookout and sitting area can be incorporated at the foot of the Toronto Street road allowance. Staff are investigating various options to cover the capital costs of constructing this additional trail loop. 3.3.2 Staff have met with the Rice Capital Group to discuss access across a portion of the undeveloped lands in the Wilmot Creek Retirement Community for the Waterfront Trail. It is possible to achieve a connection without impacting existing residents. The trail would largely be routed within the Ontario Hydro transmission corridors. No agreement as to the appropriate alignment has been reached thus far. Staff will endeavour to keep Council apprised of the progress. 3.4 Trail Design, Signage and Construction 3.4.1 As noted earlier the trail design and signage must be in keeping with the guidelines for the Waterfront Trail. Totten Sims Hubicki will be providing the Public Works Department with construction details for the off -road portions of the trail. They will also assist in the preparation of a signage plan for the trail. The design work will be completed by September and tendering will take place thereafter. ....7 . l ;i REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 7 Certain sections of the trail require approvals from the Conservation Authorities and the Ministry of Natural Resources for bridges, culverts and boardwalks. Staff have been working with the consultant to ensure that all details will be prepared accordingly and submitted for the approvals. Staff anticipate construction to begin in September for the first portion of trail within the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area. Other sections will commence simultaneously in October, 1994. 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE WATERFRONT TRAIL 4.1 By Spring 1995, an initial Waterfront Trail will be substantially completed not only in the Municipality of Clarington, but along the entire Greater Toronto waterfront. Although the implementation of the trail is a result of partnerships between the municipality and government agencies and few private land owners, there is an opportunity for the community at large to participate in some trail projects. Community projects may include sponsorship by large corporations, community groups and service clubs to cover the costs of projects including but not limited to the following; • interpretative signage; • tree planting programs along the trail; and • trail improvements and development on focal points. The sponsorship of interpretative signage could be a project that could involve the community in the immediate future, since the signs will be required the spring 1995. Other projects such as tree planting and fund raising for trail improvements may be appropriate once the trail is constructed. Staff are seeking authorization to encourage community involvement in the development and improvements of the waterfront trail. ....8 J(J REPORT NO. PD -90 -94 PAGE 8 5. MARKETING 5.1 The Waterfront Regeneration Trust in consultation with the LOGs Steering Committee is preparing a Marketing Strategy for the Waterfront Trail. Initial marketing plans for the trail include trail user guide books, mapping and advertising in special interest magazines for hikers and cyclists. The Community Services Department will be responsible for marketing and heightening the awareness Waterfront trail in Clarington. 6. CONCLUSIONS 5.1 The Waterfront Trail Implementation Committee will be working towards finalizing negotiations for access agreements, completing the trail design and will be proceeding into the actual construction the fall. The timeframe for trail completion stipulated by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is extremely ambitious, however staff are confident that, for the most part, Clarington's portion of the trail can be completed by the spring of 1995. Respectfully submitted, F� Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P. Director of Planning and Development CRS *DC *FW *cc July 11, 1994 Reviewed by, W. H. Stockwell Chief Administrative Officer 6 ATrACBN1ENT # 1 .: o I z Waterfront I2 Frail „ Water-front 6yp Tnr-fii 4.5 "� y. Trail Identification Sign 0 0 Trail Identification Flashing EXI, G NG Trail Identification Sign with Trail Identification Flashing Trail Directional Flashing used with Existing Sign V ATTACHMENT # 2 cn 00 / •••S••••••••••••••••! -a•••t 4 s . �r 6� es s• i O, .>so • p� I -' o /i o0 AGREEMENT' • DURHAM • • w.ec.e +• REQUIRED o• 19( • • PORT NEWCASTLE DEVELOPMEN as BRAMALEA LIMITED >6 ° • • • � LOOK OUT � � • / AGREEMENT E `o 5 • �2 83.0• 8/. REQUIRED �. `. LAKE ONTAR /O 06) TRAIL SECTION 11 •••••• OFF ROAD TRAIL ®rte ON ROAD TRAIL FUTURE ULTIMATE TRAIL es �