More feedback sought for Strathcona Drive sidewalk plan, Community Meeting planned for April 15
At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 1, 2019, residents voiced their concerns over the suggested plan for sidewalks on and around the area of Strathcona Drive.We heard you and committee members voted on a motion to refer the decision to the April 23 Council Meeting and to further public consultation and input on two options.Those options include:
- No sidewalks on Strathcona Drive; or
- A single 1.8-metre/6-foot sidewalk on the east side of Strathcona Drive — where 1.5 m/5 ft of the sidewalk will be constructed on the existing roadway, leaving a 0.3-m/1-ft encroachment into the existing boulevard (greenspace/yard). This option will provide for parking on one side of Strathcona only. No healthy trees will be removed.
With respect to the 0.3-m/1-ft encroachment, we heard from staff that would be beneficial due to the fact there wouldn't be a boulevard between the sidewalk and curb. As well, that foot would make winter maintenance easier, allowing some space for the windrow and a bit more space for snow-clearing equipment on the sidewalk to navigate. It would also allow some more length to accommodate the grade change at driveways (less of a dip to transition from the back of sidewalk to the curb cut).Committee members also voted to proceed with no sidewalks on Lorraine Crescent, Apple Valley Lane, Applevale Court and McIntosh Place.I had brought forward another option of on-road painted lines on both sides of Strathcona Drive to better indicate a designated walking area to pedestrians and drivers. This option would eliminate parking on both sides of the street. However, following the Committee of the Whole meeting, City Council was advised that the city’s professional engineers could not support the option of painted lines on Strathcona as painted lines on the street did not meet the safety standards required by the city for safe pedestrian travel. That is why that option was removed.In an effort to get public feedback on the remaining options detailed above, Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte will be hosting a Town Hall Community Meeting for residents on Monday, April 15, 2019 (more details below) and staff will be present at the meeting to answer technical questions as they arise. An invitation to attend has also been extended to City Council members and I plan to be there to hear your views on the options.Nearby residents will have a letter in their mailbox from Councillor Stolte, over the next couple of days, detailing the options and how you can submit your feedback.You can also register to speak as a delegate at the Tuesday, April 23 Council meeting at burlington.ca/delegate. Council will make its decision on this item at that time.Public consultation is integral in helping Burlington City Council make an informed decision on this project that is representative of what the surrounding communities want for this area.For more information about the Strathcona Street Rehabilitation Project, please click the link.Community Meeting Details:
- Date: Monday, April 15, 2019
- Time: 7-9 p.m.
- Location: St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School, gym, 4065 New St., Burlington
Burlington City Council Meeting:
- Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2019
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Burlington City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 426 Brant St., Burlington
MY TAKE:I think the proposal brought forward by the ward councillor has some merit to it because it deals with our issues of safety and protecting our greenspace. I also believe a dedicated lane, painted or otherwise, deals with those same issues and also had merit to it. However, we heard from city staff that they had some safety concerns surrounding that and I am fine with not having to pay for that option. Either way, the public in just in these last few days is learning about these changes and we need more input from them on the remaining two options. I am committed to hearing more from residents and making a decision on April 23.