REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: July 17, 2017 Report No. EPW-17-035
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Jeff Miller, Director of Engineering and Public Works
SUBJECT:
Title
Capital Sidewalk Program - Inclusion of Orphan Sidewalk Segments
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council directs staff to relocate the sidewalk to the north side of Wychbury Avenue with an increase of $6,000 to the project budget that will be taken from the Community Works Reserve Account.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Not Applicable
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Well Managed and Maintained Infrastructure - Identify infrastructure repair and proactively plan for replacement needs.
BACKGROUND:
The Capital Sidewalk Program is an annual program carried out by the Township. Its purpose is construct sidewalks in various locations within the Township with the goal to increase the connectivity of the sidewalk network. This will allow residents to transit through the Township from various locations utilizing a connected network of sidewalks and promote another mode of transportation other than vehicles.
For the 2017 project, the Program identified Wychbury Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street. The scope of the project is to provide a 1.8 metre wide sidewalk along the south side of the road. The south side was identified based on connecting the existing sidewalk segment within the block.
Notification of the construction of the Project was delivered to the residents on June 7, 2017 (See Attachment 1). In response to this notification, several residents voiced objections to the sidewalk location (see Attachment 2). A face to face discussion was also held with a long term crossing guard for Macaulay Elementary School.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The primary reason that the south side of the street was chosen was due to the existing portion of sidewalk fronting 1127A and 1127B Wychbury Ave (See Attachment 3). This sidewalk was created when the lot was redeveloped. By utilizing this section of sidewalk, the overall project cost is lowered and an orphaned segment of sidewalk would be included into the sidewalk network.
Several residents and the crossing guard have made applications that the sidewalk should be located on the north side of the street. One of the main reasons is that the north side is the side currently being used by children to transit to Macaulay School. This was confirmed in conversation with the crossing guard.
It was anticipated that the construction of sidewalk would change this traffic flow to the south side due to a dry surface to walk on. It was recognized that children would have to cross two streets. However these streets are low volume, local streets and this should not be a concern. The east leg of Wychbury is currently utilized as the main crossing by children coming to school from the southern portion of the neighbourhood. Both the north and south sides of the street will have to cross Lampson Street. The existing crosswalk can remain where it is and new crosswalks can be added to the west and south legs of the intersection.
Staff recognizes the points raised by the residents and can relocate the sidewalk to the north side of the street. This new location would impact the budget and additional funding would be required.
2. Organizational Implications
The main organizational implication would be a change in the philosophy of how orphaned sidewalks are incorporated into projects. Past practice has been to incorporate this sidewalk segment into projects. By incorporating the segment, the piece of infrastructure is allowed to function as it was intended and funds associated with it are not wasted. Staff can modify the practice of how orphaned sidewalks segments are incorporated. The main impact of this change in philosophy will be that orphan sidewalk segments will continue to exist while other projects are creating new sidewalks within close proximity.
3. Financial Implications
If the sidewalk was relocated to the north side of Wychbury Avenue, an additional cost of $6,000 needs to be added to the project budget. Funding for this work is available within the Community Works Reserve Account.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
Once Council has provided direction, a notice will be provided to the residents of Council’s decision.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council directs staff to relocate the sidewalk to the north side of Wychbury Avenue with an increase of $6,000 to the project budget that will be taken from the Community Works Reserve Account.
2. That Council directs staff to leave the sidewalk on the south side of Wychbury Avenue with no increase to the project budget.
3. That Council suspends the Sidewalk Program for this year with no sidewalk being built and the previously approved funding be returned to the funding source.