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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-04Clar*wn Meeting: Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee Date: January 14, 2021 Time: 7:00 pm Location: Microsoft Teams Meeting MINUTES Present: Jim Boate, Bart Hawkins Kreps, Councillor Janice Jones, Arnold Mostert, Richard Oldfield, Jerry Petryshyn, Rick Stockman, Jeanne Winters Regrets: Melissa Claxton-Oldfield Staff Present: Rob Brezina, Kristin Bullied, June Gallagher 1. Agenda Moved by Jim Boate seconded by Bart Hawkins Kreps. Carried 2. Minutes of September 9, 2020 Moved by Jerry Petryshyn seconded by Jeanne Winters. That the minutes of the ATSR meeting held on September 9, 2020 be approved. Carried 3. Delegation 3.1. Delegation of Lori Moore and Paul Slavchenko regarding conditions for runners and cyclists along West Beach Road Recently moved to Port Darlington community and learned there is limited access to Darlington Beach West Community. Use West Beach Rd, which is narrow and used frequently making it difficult to run, walk, cycle, etc. CLOCA owns the land to the north and there is a trail, but it becomes icy in the winter. Requesting a paved shoulder along West Beach Rd. and that it be cleared of snow in the winter. Not considering Cove Rd. Committee Member agrees this would be beneficial for active transportation uses. 1 Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 Committee Chair indicated to the delegation that the Committee can make recommendations to Council, but cannot make any commitments on behalf of Council. The delegation will be advised of the outcome. 4. Discussion Items 4.1. Committee composition Reminder for Committee to vote on motions. June Gallagher, Municipal Clerk, reminded the Committee that their Terms of Reference (TOR) currently indicated the committee is composed of "up to 10 people". This needs to be revised to ensure we can define a quorum. Moved by Jim Boate. Seconded by Jerry Petryshyn That the Committee recommends to Council that the Terms of Reference be revised such that the Committee composition is a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 community members in addition to the Member of Council representative. Carried When seeking new members, the Committee were reminded that they cannot discriminate based on age, gender, family status, etc. The Committee can, however, request a "youth" member and/or members with a certain skill set or experience. 4.2. Informal meetings Ms. Gallagher reminded Committee members that they can have additional meetings beyond the scheduled meetings so long as they are not `furthering business'— for example a roadside cleanup. She explained that this should be handled with sub -committees but they would need to directly relate to the task of the sub -committee, as defined the larger Committee. As you are not furthering business, an agenda and minutes should not be necessary. Committee members will be asked for Agenda items in advance of meetings. The Committee had a general discussion about the possibility of inviting the Clarington representative on the Durham Active Transportation Committee to also be a member on the ATSR to provide overlap. Ms. Gallagher has this individual's contact information and will approach them about joining the ATSR. 4.3. Term of Committee members 2 Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 Ms. Gallagher reminded the Members that the Committee's TOR states that appointments run concurrent with the term of Council, which is four years. However, the Council resolution #C-109-18 and appointment letter stated a term ending December 31, 2020, which is a two-year term. The Committee was asked to determine the length of an appointment. Moved by Jim Boate. Seconded by Bart Hawkins Kreps That the Committee recommends to Council that the four-year term, concurrent with the term of Council, be confirmed; That no staggering take place; and That the current Committee members' appointment be extended to 2022. Carried 4.4. Resignation of Chair Angela Bramley tendered her resignation as Chair and member of the ATSR Committee as of December 23, 2020. As the Vice Chair, Rick Stockman will assume the duties of the Chair until the election of a new Chair can take place. The Committee was reminded that Frank Barter also tendered his resignation as member of the ATSR Committee as of November 13, 2020. 4.5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Elections will take place during the next meeting, after Council's decision regarding the term of Committee members. At that time, Councillor Jones will preside over the appointment of the new executive. 4.6. Committee hosting/organizing events The ATSR Committee is considered a Committee of Council and therefore has liability coverage under the Municipality's insurance when hosting events. Note: There are situations where an ATSR Committee member could be personally liable if they acted outside of their scope, authority or were negligent. Coverage does not include injury to a committee member. Events must be approved by the Director of Financial Services. 4.7. Safe roads and traffic considerations Councillors have discussed the possibility of forming a committee to address traffic and safety concerns as it's a prevalent topic among residents. The Committee was asked if they would be interested in taking M Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 on a traffic focus such as liaising with the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) and discussing traffic, volume, speed and motor vehicle accident issues. Committee members felt that traffic related matters are a big issue and would require considerable time and resources that this committee does not have. Members would prefer to remain focused on active transportation and making roads safe for this purpose. Staff also advised that the Municipality is involved in a number of traffic related committees and initiatives including: • Vision Zero initiative led by the Region and incudes representation from all Durham Municipalities, DRPS and outside agencies (e.g. Public Health) • Active and Sustainable School Travel Committee • OPG Traffic Management Working Group • Clarington Staff direct consult with DRPS Traffic Coordinator quarterly • Resident direct staff contact with good, informative, and detailed response times • Council delegations • And other various traffic planning working groups e.g. MTO's GGH - TAC If another committee is formed, it is suggested it not duplicate any of the matters already covered through the above efforts. Moved by Jim Boate. Seconded by Arnold Mostert Whereas there are several other Committees and organizations covering these issues; And whereas the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee has a full mandate, The Committee recommends to Council that there is not a need to take on further mandate regarding traffic and speed issues. Carried 4.8. Reduced speed limits in Clarington In response to delegations heard in November 2020, Council passed a motion on Nov 23, 2020 to decrease the speed limit to 40 km/hr on all Clarington Collector B roads. The motion will be discussed at Council in February 2021. Collector roads provide connections between Local roads within the residential / commercial areas and the Arterial road system. Compared to Arterial roadways, Collector roads generally carry lower traffic volumes and have lower speed limits. Collector roads provide a shared M Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 purpose of property access and increased traffic movement when compared to the Local roads. 4.9. Type of MUP for Brookhill secondary plan Determined there will be two major cross roads at the center of this development. Collector roads will be bike friendly. Committee member(s) has submitted input and is comfortable with the secondary plan. Committee member noticed an incomplete trail east of Green Rd. and north of Brookhill Blvd. Staff indicated this is a short trail that will be behind some of the future ravine lots as part of the subdivision. 4.10. Bidirectional pathways/MUP on HWY 2 Members would like to see a MUP though the commercial area on HWY 2, from Boswell Dr. to RR 57. Cycling volume may currently seem low as it is difficult to cycle here due to poor active transportation infrastructure. Staff indicated that it would be difficult and costly to make AT improvements to this section of HWY 2. Some improvements can be made, however, the best opportunity would be presented when substantial reconstruction of the sidewalk is needed. In the meantime, AT infrastructure is being implemented on lower volume roads that are currently being constructed. The Region is also reconstructing the intersection of RR 57 and HWY 2, which includes a MUP on the west side of RR 57 from Baseline Rd. to Stevens Rd. in the immediate future with an eventual connection to Longworth Avenue and Nash Road. A MUP will also be constructed from RR 57 to Roenigk Dr. as part of the intersection reconstruction. Staff confirmed the MUP on HWY 2 from RR 57 to Roenigk Dr. is planned to be bi-directional. 4.11. Bidirectional pathway on Taunton Committee member suggested constructing a bidirectional MUP on the south side of Taunton Rd. from Solina Rd. to the food truck alley as it's a good destination for cyclists. Staff indicated that the Region is improving Taunton Rd. from Townline Rd. to RR 57, which includes a 1.5m wide paved shoulder. The shoulder will not be designated as a bike lane but can be used as such. The specific segment east of Solina Rd. is targeted for construction in 2022. A 3.Om wide MUP would be challenging due to the road maintaining a rural cross section with roadside ditches and the existing higher order aerial hydro line in the south boulevard. Committee member would have to reach out to the Region to inquire about more immediate options. 4.12. AT connection plans for two new Go stations 61 Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 The Region is considering a MUP on Courtice Rd. from Nash Rd.. terminating at the Go Train Station and a MUP on Clarington Blvd in Bowmanville. The South -East Courtice secondary plan is currently under development, but there are plans for AT infrastructure to access future Go Station off Trulls Rd. Bowmanville will have AT access from Aspen Springs Dr and RR 57. 4.13. Newcastle pedestrian/cyclist tunnel etiquette Received a concern about the Mill St., tunnel under CN rail line on south side. Committee member suggests installing a mirror so cyclists and pedestrians can see into the tunnel. Cycling clubs have reached out to their members to remind them to ring their bell, or otherwise note their presence in situations like this. Members would like to speak with the new Landscape Architect and/or Traffic Supervisor when hired to establish trail etiquette signage that can be posted throughout Clarington. Will bring examples forward. 4.14. Phair/Sandringham curb cut This is a good east -west cycling route. Anticipate a big increase of traffic when the Uplands development is built. Staff do not recommend a curb cut here as it would be an unexpected introduction of traffic onto a collector road. Most likely solution is a MUP from Phair Ave. to Strathallan Dr. Staff will need undertaking a video count review of the location and road corridor in spring/summer 2021. 4.15. Meadoway Initially wanted to bring Meadoway trail into Clarington, however after further investigation, it would not be a viable project mainly because many of the lands under hydro corridors are already rented, Clarington also does not currently have the population to support it. Something to review again in the future. 4.16. West Beach Road Committee member agreed with the delegation's opinion that a paved shoulder would be beneficial on West Beach Rd. The curve in the road close to the Water Front Trail (WFT) is a particular problem area. Committee member suggested sharrows, signage, solar powered flashing lights, etc might be beneficial. A Committee member has received complaints that this area has gotten a lot busier and is growing steadily making volume and speed of traffic concerning. The area should have a variety of traffic calming and traffic safety measures implemented. Suggest Clarington staff do a study of the options available. A Committee member stated that other areas/trails in Clarington should be prioritized over this area. Question about whether paved shoulders would promote cars parking 101 Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 here and blocking a bike's path. Suggested that the CLOCA lands could be used as a trial. Staff indicated that there is a segment of the WFT trail that will be paved soon. Some initial concerns with road widening include width of current bridge, acquiring land that is not currently owned by the Municipality (e.g., CLOCA lands) and relocation of hydro poles. Would come to be an expensive project for the volume usage. Projects must be prioritized. Also note that narrower roads encourage lower speeds. Some options staff can look into include bike friendly signage, approaching CLOCA to create/expand a parking facility and review the road more closely and look at other potential options. Radar Message Boards (RMBs) had been deployed and no concerns were noted. Staff will add this location to our RMB deployment list to collect updated data and will move location of RMB placement. Should the Committee wish to bring this to Council, the next step would be for the Committee to put forward a motion and staff to submit a memo to Council for their consideration. Moved by Bart Hawkins Krep. Seconded by Jim Boate. That the delegation of Ms. Moore and Mr. Slavchenko, regarding the cycling and pedestrian safety of West Beach Road be received; and That the Committee recommend to Council that Staff be directed to prepare a report to address the concerns to provide safe pedestrian and cycling access to the West Beach Road area, including options. Carried (with one abstention) 4.17. Notification of Community Planning and Studies When Planning releases a study or notice that relates to active transportation, the Committee would like to be notified so they can review and provide input. For example, the Port Hope nuclear waste initiative, Nichols Rd. The Planning and Development Service representative will bring any relevant Planning related notices to the attention of the Committee. 4.18. Waterfront Trail and Green Belt Trail connection Committee member indicated that there are several routes connecting the WFT to Green Belt Trail. Committee member(s) suggested a couple routes for Clarington's connection to promote cycle tourism. Would like to see the selected route as a signed route. 7 Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 4.19. Nash Road Widening and intersection of Nash Rd. and Trulls Rd. Committee member commented that both Nash Rd. and Trulls Rd. have bike lanes that terminate before the intersection and because of lack of markings/signage, this intersection is unsafe for cyclists. Staff indicated this intersection is too narrow to include a buffer, however signage indicating cycle lane termination and share the road might be helpful. Staff will review 4.20. Trail Project Updates Sent design to committee about widening Nash Rd. from Hancock Rd. to Solina Rd. Construction expected to be complete by Fall 2021. Committee member reviewed design and thought section looked good. The Region will be reconstructing and urbanizing Liberty St south of Concession 3. The intersection of Liberty St and Concession 3 will be a roundabout. The Region will host a public meeting within the next few weeks. A MUP connection will be constructed between Rhonda Park and the affordable housing building on RR 57 in 2021. The contract has been awarded for the Bowmanville Creek Valley trail extension from Baseline Rd. to the WFT. Construction is expected to start in spring 2021. The Toyota Trail extension is going out for tender in winter 2021 with goal to start construction in summer 2021. Farewell Creek Phase 2A extension construction is planned for summer 2021. Staff are still working with Council and CLOCA to determine the route for Phase 2B. Darlington Blvd. will be widened to accommodate in -road cycling lanes from Foxhunt Trail to HWY 2. Waiting on developer to complete work on Cotton St. before we can move forward with Soper Creek Trail Phase 3. The Active Transportation Master Plan has not yet been started. Will have to scope the study to the budget we have. Staff will use any existing studies to form the basis of the ATMP. 5. Other Business 5.1. Staff to send a letter to Angela Bramley on behalf of the Committee to thank her for her service as Chair. IQ Clarington Active Transportation Committee Minutes of January 14, 2021 6. Next Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams. 7. Adjournment Moved by Arnold Mostert seconded by Jeanne Winters. That the meeting adjourn at 10:30 PM Carried �1]