HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 08-02
REPORT TO THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Report Number: CAO-08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
From:
Thomas J. Quinn
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject:
Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
City of Pickering Comments
File: PL 5020
Recommendations:
1.
That Council receive for information Report CAO-08-02 concerning the
Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study, prepared by Totten Sims
Hubicki Associates (TSH) for the Region of Durham.
2.
That Council endorse the following recommendations:
i) That a signalized intersection and formalized pedestrian crossing be
established on Kingston Road mid-block between Liverpool Road and
Glenanna Road;
ii) That the Region of Durham continue to offer excess road allowance
along Kingston Road to abutting private landowners to encourage
development opportunities and enhanced landscaped areas on
properties fronting Kingston Road; and
iii) That the Region of Durham commence the detailed design work of
Kingston Road between Pine Creek and the Ontario Hydro Corridor
(east of Valley Farm Road) in 2003, and commence the
implementation of works in 2004.
3.
That Council authorize the CAO to prepare in 2003 a "S-Year Downtown
Implementation Strategy" for Council's consideration.
4.
That a copy of this Report and Council's recommendations be circulated
to the Region of Durham.
Executive Summary:
The Region of Durham commissioned Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) to
complete a Report respecting opportunities for advancing changes in the design
and operation of Kingston Road through the City's downtown core. The resultant
Report, entitled "Kingston Road Design Opportunities - Pine Creek to Hydro
Corridor, City of Pickering", was released earlier this year, and copies were
distributed to members of Council.
Report CAO- 08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 2
The Region anticipates beginning detailed design work on this section of
Kingston Road in 2004 with implementation to begin in 2005. Given the
importance of the downtown core to the City, it is recommended that Council
request the Region to advance its design work and implementation schedule. In
addition, Council has the opportunity to provide comments to the Region on
certain key elements of the TSH Report before detailed design work is done.
Accordingly, this Report recommends that the Region of Durham:
. establish a signalized and pedestrian-friendly intersection on Kingston
Road mid-block between Liverpool Road and Glenanna Road;
. continue to offer private landowners abutting Kingston Road any excess
road allowance for private development as opposed to the Region
maintaining oversized landscaped boulevards; and
. begin the detailed design work and resultant improvements to the
"Downtown" section of Kingston Road as soon as possible (design work in
2003 and implementation of works commencing in 2004).
There are many other opportunities for improvements and enhancements to the
City's downtown core beyond those associated with the Kingston Road frontage.
Accordingly, it is recommended that Council authorize staff to build on the
Kingston Road Study by investigating and reporting back to Council on a 5-Year
implementation strategy for all lands generally within the downtown core.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable to the City's recommendations to the Region of Durham
respecting Kingston Road design opportunities. A 5-Year Downtown
Implementation Strategy completed by staff in 2003 would outline anticipated
costs for implementing recommended improvements and enhancements to the
downtown, and would highlight anticipated external funding sources and
partnerships.
Background:
The Region of Durham commissioned Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) to
complete a Report respecting opportunities for advancing changes in the design
and operation of Kingston Road, particularly within the City's downtown core.
The resultant Report, entitled "Kingston Road Design Opportunities - Pine Creek
to Hydro Corridor, City of Pickering" was issued to the City by the Region of
Durham.
A key objective espoused in the TSH Report is the eventual transformation of
Kingston Road from a high-speed arterial commuter road to a more urban and
Report CAO- 08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 3
pedestrian-friendly lower-speed arterial mainstreet. A copy of the TSH Report is
available for viewing through the CAO's Office.
The Report outlines a number of sources of data that were considered by TSH,
including existing traffic conditions, collision and speed data, and traffic volume
trends. The Report also recommends future traffic control and road design
approaches, landscape concepts and cost estimation for phased road works and
landscaping at identified road sections within the Study Area.
More specifically, the Report concludes that:
1. Kingston Road continues to function as an important east-west arterial
road in the City and Region, even while traffic volumes have decreased
resulting from the widening of Highway 401.
2. There will be an increasing amount of locally generated traffic and a
decreasing amount of through traffic on Kingston Road within the study
area, providing a good opportunity to commence the transformation of
Kingston Road from a "commuter highway" route to a lower-speed urban
arterial "main street".
3. The road design, landscaping and traffic controls suggested in the
preliminary concept plans completed by TSH (and provided as
attachments to the TSH Report) will maintain good traffic operations and
provide preliminary designs for discussion purposes with the Region, City
and local stakeholders.
4. A traffic signal at the Kingston Road/Pickering Town Centre intersection is
not feasible, nor practical from an operational, safety and design
perspective for the foreseeable future.
5. The implementation of the road design aspects of the concept plan
prepared by TSH would result in lower traffic speeds, improved and safer
pedestrian areas and crossings, and significant opportunities for enhanced
landscape/streetscape features.
6. The cost to implement the roadwork and landscaping components of the
proposed concept plan (along Kingston Road from Pine Creek to Valley
Farm Road) are estimated at approximately $2 million dollars.
Discussion:
TSH Final Report - Kinaston Road Desian Opportunities
Signalization of Kingston Road/Pickering Town Centre Entrance Intersection
TSH concluded in their Report that installing a traffic signal at the Kingston
Road/Pickering Town Centre (PTC) entrance intersection is not feasible, nor
practical from an operational, safety and design perspective in the foreseeable
future. They conclude that traffic safety and operations could be compromised,
and provide alternative design concepts for consideration.
Report CAO- 08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 4
The Report, however, does note that reduced intersection spacing is considered
in exceptional cases where traffic control signals are warranted and/or where
there are no alternative solutions available.
It is recommended that a signalized intersection with a pedestrian-friendly
crossing along Kingston Road mid-block between Liverpool Road and
Glenanna Road be established, for the following reasons:
. to improve pedestrian safety by creating a "friendlier" and more direct
crossing for people traveling between properties on the north and south
side of Kingston Road, while slowing down traffic within this road section;
. to create a more desirable urban "Downtown" block pattern, as envisioned
in the Council-adopted "Kingston Road Corridor Urban Design
Development Guidelines"; and
. to control left turns out of the PTC parking lot onto Kingston Road while
providing a desirable access route to and from the PTC that will reduce
traffic pressure on other entrance/exit points on that prope~y.
Support for the establishment of a new mid-block signalized intersection has also
been expressed by the City's Director, Planning & Development, the Liverpool
West Community Association and Joanne Palma (mother of Cora Palma who
was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing Kingston Road).
It is recommended that any detailed design work carried out by the Region for
Kingston Road should allow for the establishment of a signalized intersection at
the Kingston Road/PTC entrance intersection.
Excess Road Allowance
The TSH Report recommends extensive landscaping/streetscaping treatments
and features along the downtown section of Kingston Road. This
recommendation is supported. In addition, we acknowledge and support the
Region's commitment to consider the disposal of excess road allowance resulting
from the transformation of Kingston Road to a lower speed arterial road.
Excess land can be used for enhanced landscaping features as well as to further
economic development opportunities. The placement of new buildings adjacent
to Kingston Road is the preferred method of establishing a pedestrian-friendly
urban mainstreet character within our downtown core.
It is our understanding that Regional Staff have considered requests from
specific landowners in Pickering to obtain excess road allowance. It is therefore
recommended that the Region continue to offer excess road allowance
along Kingston Road, wherever possible and practical, to abutting private
landowners to encourage new development opportunities and enhanced
Report CAO- 08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 5
landscaped areas on properties fronting Kingston Road in the City's
Downtown.
Detailed Design and Implementation of Improvements
The TSH Report does not specify timelines for detailed design work and
implementation of improvements to Kingston Road, but does suggest that the
implementation of works should be phased. It is understood however, through
discussions with Regional Works staff that they intend to initiate detailed design
in 2004 and begin the implementation of works in 2005. Given the importance of
the City's downtown core, the Region should advance this timeline.
It is therefore recommended that the Region commence the detailed design
work of Kingston Road between Pine Creek and the Ontario Hydro Corridor
(east of Valley Farm Road) in 2003, and commence the implementation of
works in 2004.
Although the TSH Report did not deal with timelines, it did recommend the
phasing of improvements as follows:
Phase 1 - Kingston Road section from Liverpool Road to Glenanna Road;
Phase 2 - Kingston Road section from Pine Creek to Liverpool Road; and
Phase 3 - Kingston Road section from Glenanna Road to Valley Farm Road.
An additional implementation phase that must be included is works within the
Kingston Road section between Valley Farm Road and the Ontario Hydro
Corridor. This additional phase of works could be appropriately considered
Phase 4, and should commence following or concurrent with Phase 3
improvements.
Also, although priority sections have been highlighted, implementation of
improvements along certain property frontages may need to be considered in
advance of a phase to accompany anticipated site-specific development.
Properties that may be subject to site-specific work include:
1. Property recently acquired by Loblaws as part of their existing lands west
of Liverpool Road on the south side of Kingston Road.
2. Both the Hub Plaza and PTC lands located on the north and south side of
Kingston Road, between Liverpool Road and Glenanna Road.
3. Land owned by Cougs Developments located on the southeast corner of
Kingston Road and Valley Farm Road.
4. The former "Knob Hill Farms" property that is currently on the market.
It is also important that all detailed design work for the downtown section of
Kingston Road be planned in consultation with the City, private landowners and
other stakeholders.
Report CAO- 08-02
D~e: November13,2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 6
2003 Work proi!£!.:...Powntown Implementation Strateav
There are many opportunities for improvements and enhancements to the City's
downtown core beyond those associated with the Kingston Road frontage.
Additionally, there are several anticipated and planned initiatives and activities
(private and public) occurring within the downtown requiring coordination and
prioritization.
It is therefore recommended that Council authorize staff to complete a
5-Year Downtown Implementation Strategy in 2003 for Council's
consideration.
The Strategy would generally include all lands located in the City's downtown
core, as identified on Attachment #1 to this Report, and should identify initiatives
that improve and enhance the downtown core. Staff will work with affected
landowners and other stakeholders in preparing the Strategy. The key reasons
for undertaking the Strategy include:
1. To clearly identify current, anticipated and desirable development
initiatives and opportunities (both from the public and private sectors)
within a 5-Year time period.
2. To prioritize the timing of improvements and enhancements to ensure
optimal coordination and efficiency of development, while minimizing
associated implementation disruptions.
3. To identify, where possible, all known funding sources for initiatives
(private and public) and preferred timing of initiatives.
4. To identify vacant and "underdeveloped" land located in the downtown,
and develop strategies to encourage desirable development on those
properties.
Regular status updates will be provided by staff during 2003 should Council
authorize the preparation of this Strategy.
References:
1. "Kingston Road Design Opportunities - Pine Creek to Hydro Corridor, City
of Pickering", prepared by TSH for the Region of Durham, and dated
December, 2001.
2. "Kingston Road Corridor Urban Design Development Guidelines", adopted
by Council December, 1997.
3. "Pickering Downtown Core Development Guidelines", adopted by Council
June, 1997.
Report CAO- 08-02
Date: November 13, 2002
Subject: Kingston Road Design Opportunities Study
Page 7
Attachment:
1. Map - City's Downtown Core
Prepared By:
Approved I Endorsed By:
Ron Taylor
Economic Deve opment Officer
Prepared By:
RST:TM:kr
Attachment
Copy: All Directors
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Cou cil
~
/'
-,'
ATTACHMENT#-L-TO REPORT'~C. O~. ~~.
'7 -. CoRRiDoR ~ ~ \"'gJI ..
""'V..I=I ~..-
HYDRo t =~~ I ~
8 -~
~ ~
~~ ~þ~
L~1f
~ ~~ Ì\ ~
111'f~ ~,¥ÐT ~ ~ Pm
I~- ~IIIII\I
- - -- -
;t, ,~~' L LU ~ I~ ~ ø \' l
~
! - r~' \ /.
-L WI' I ~ - (1
I
~""'~~ - L" ~I
5<5õ~
I IIIIIIIIIV'
I~
IT1 ~ if-J
-
~*.. - m
.-.-:::J
-Ii
. --l
~ ~ ~
,~ 1\1 ¡ø J-"'"
I i=
fI I ~
'>-
ø - j
/' ~~ I In:;:
~ ~ ~Ih II - II
-~ OINOT
oJ"':. -. s:J['"'\n0lN0T - ........
::;, i~~ - =.JJ '1
~" ~ ,J=- i -- \B
V-- I / m ~"" " -
~ n V JI)-~ '\d7.~ 1\11 - I
- H=
- I
~ ------~ ~ ~~ ~ -
'¡'~V 'I._~'
c---
0 1,- ,,~ III ,'"'" f-- H
::=r ~ ff' I'-è r r r I\: =\ =\-::f t:' f--
City of Pickering Planning & Development Department
- LANDS SUBJECT TO PROPOSED l'
DOWNTOWN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
DATE NOY. 7, 2002