Report to/Rapport au:
Comité des transports
and Council / et au Conseil
29 June 2004 / le 29 june 2004
Submitted by/Soumis par: Councillor / Conseiller Diane Holmes,
Somerset Ward / Quartier Somerset
Contact/Personne-ressource: Anne-Marie Leung, Transportation Committee
Coordinator/ Coordonnatrice du Comité des transports
580-2424, ext. 21385,
Anne-Marie.Leung@Ottawa.ca
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SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
RÉtrÉcissement
de l'intersection - rue Somerset et avenue Lorne |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Transportation Committee recommend City Council approve the proposed intersection narrowing on Somerset Street at Lorne Avenue.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le
Comité des transports recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver le
rétrécissement proposé de l’intersection de la rue Somerset et de l’avenue
Lorne.
BACKGROUND
Lorne Avenue has
recently undergone major reconstruction, the water main and sewers were
replaced and the roadway and sidewalks were re-constructed. This construction
project has prompted further discussion with residents about their ongoing
safety concerns. Further to these discussions the residents of Lorne Avenue have
requested intersection narrowings as a physical measure to stop the illegal
parking at the intersection of Lorne Avenue and Somerset Street.
Intersection narrowings along Somerset Street were originally shown in the Somerset Heights Transportation Study in 1996 however, the measures were not considered by Committee and Council, as per the following excerpt from the former City of Ottawa Council Meeting September 4, 1996: "It should be noted that narrowings of Somerset Street were also proposed in the consultant report, but these narrowings were deleted in the context of the mediation process in favour of providing on-street parking during all periods of the day. The provision of on-street parking accomplishes much the same effect as the narrowings, with greater benefit to adjacent commercial uses."
In response
to a letter dated 4 May 2004 from the Ward Councillor, the Somerset Heights BIA
has expressed concerns about the proposal for narrowings on Somerset Street at
Lorne Avenue. The concerns raised by the BIA include: loss of parking on
Somerset Street; effectiveness of narrowings; issues with snow removal; etc.
Staff have reviewed the issues listed by the BIA, and are confident that the
measures being proposed in this report will be effective in addressing the
illegal parking adjacent to the intersection, will not reduce legal parking
supply, and have been designed appropriately to accommodate emergency vehicle
access and minimize maintenance issues.
ANALYSIS
Existing
Conditions
Lorne Avenue is a dead end street leaving the only route for access or egress the intersection at Somerset Street. There are regularly vehicles parked illegally at the street’s entrance blocking access and severely compromising sight lines for egress. This is a serious safety concern for residents of Lorne Avenue.
Proposed Change
In an effort to
ameliorate the safety issues for vehicles exiting Lorne Avenue at Somerset
Street resulting from the ongoing illegal parking at the intersection of Lorne
and Somerset intersection, narrowings on Somerset
Street at Lorne Avenue are being proposed. This will entail having bulbouts at
both the East and West corners of Lorne Avenue on the north side of Somerset
Street.
This will not result in any reduction in parking, as
vehicles are not permitted to park flush with the intersection. The bulb outs
are designed to prevent the illegal parking close to the intersection that
occurs in this busy shopping district on Somerset Street.
As part of the problem solving in this area, Staff will also
implement a new loading zone on the north side of Somerset Street east of Lorne
Avenue for the use of businesses in this immediate area. Note that the proposal to provide an additional
commercial vehicle loading zone will, however, mean the loss of one metered
parking stall, shown in Annex 2.
CONSULTATION
Public Consultation
Councillor
Holmes along with City Staff from both the Infrastructure Services Branch and
the Traffic & Parking Operations Branch met with residents of Lorne Avenue
on April 19 and June 10 of 2004 to discuss traffic calming measures for Lorne
Avenue. All residents in attendance
deemed bulbouts on Somerset Street a crucial step towards a safer intersection.
The Somerset Heights BIA has been notified of this proposed change.
Pursuant to By-Law 2002-522, the City of Ottawa has provided notice to the public of its intention to approve roadway modifications on Somerset Street at Lorne Avenue in accordance with By-Law 2001-12. This proposal was advertised in the local papers on June 19, 2004 and June 26, 2004 giving City residents two weeks to comment.
Staff Consultation
Councillor Holmes has met with City Staff from both the Infrastructure Services Branch and the Traffic & Parking Operations Branch to discuss this proposal. It was determined that this proposal is feasible and that it will ameliorate the safety problems faced by the residents of Lorne Avenue.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
$
Approved Budget to Date 200,000
Total Paid and Committed (15,548)
Balance Available 184,452
THIS REQUEST (15,000)
Balance Remaining 169,452
The cost of the intersection narrowings will be $15,000 and will be charged to account number 903024, Area Traffic Management. Funds have been provided in the 2004 Capital Budget (reference page 348). Total additional annual surface operation costs are estimated at $500 and will be requested in the 2005 Operating Budget.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – Annex 1 - Key Plan – Subject Area
Document 2 – Annex 2 – Intersection
Modification
Document 3 – Letter from Councillor Holmes to Somerset Heights BIA (dated May 4, 2004)
Document 4 – Letter to Councillor Holmes from Somerset Heights BIA (dated May 10, 2004)
Document 5 – Newspaper Ad,
Saturday June 19, 2004 and Saturday June 26, 2004
DISPOSITION
That TUPW staff, upon Council approval, take
appropriate action and implement the intersection
narrowing on Somerset Street at Lorne Avenue at the earliest possible date.
Document 1
