Body: Council Type: Document Meeting: Committee Date: 2018 Collection: Agenda Attachments Municipality: Frontenac County
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/frontenac-county/Item Attachments/Agenda Item/2018/August/2018-102 Community Development Advisory Committee Regional Active Transportation Plan/Active Transportation Master Plan Progress Report.pdf)
Document Text
Report 2018-102 Committee Information Report To:
Chair and Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee
From:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Date of meeting:
August 9, 2018
Re:
Community Development Advisory Committee – Regional Active Transportation Plan
Recommendation This report is for information purposes only. Background In late 2017, Frontenac County declared its participation in the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program (OMCCP) and became eligible for four years of cycling infrastructure allocations from the province of Ontario. In order to undertake these projects a cycling or active transportation plan must be in place, however it is possible to use this funding to complete a plan. The County of Frontenac was allocated $120,177.19 for the first year of the program prior to program cancellation and future allocations will no longer be provided. The County of Frontenac has until 2020 to complete the identified projects in the OMCCP program, including the Regional Active Transportation Master Plan. As part of the 2018 budget process, County Council approved the use of OMCCP funds for the development of a regional active transportation plan and staff selected Alta Planning + Design to complete the work through a competitive RFP process. Comment Township Engagement To lay the groundwork for the Regional Active Transportation plan, the consultant has worked with County GIS staff to gather data related to road design, speed limits, trails, crossings, sidewalks, and planned capital works. Once this data was collected staff and the consultant met in person with representatives from each township’s public works
department to discuss the quality of the GIS information, and to gather a township perspective on opportunities and challenges associated with the development and promotion of active transportation in our Frontenac communities. The consultant conducted field visits to various hamlets and villages between township staff meetings. Public Engagement On July 14th staff and the consulting team attended the Lake and Trails Festival in Sydenham with a booth dedicated to the Active Transportation Plan. The team brought a poster board with examples of how active transportation facilities in small-town settings looks, as well as a map of Frontenac County with existing active transportation facilities. During the day, the team spoke with approximately 112 people about the ongoing active transportation plan for Frontenac County. People were asked to share their experiences of walking and cycling in Frontenac County. The reception for the plan was positive and people were willing to share their experiences. Common themes included interest in paved shoulders, keeping well maintained multi-use trails, ensuring connected sidewalk infrastructure and development of bike lanes. The consulting team will also be in Marysville in August with a similar set-up to the Lake and Trails Festival and on August 25, the team will be at the Cardinal Café in Sharbot Lake to engage with local residents. In addition to in person engagements with residents and township staff, the County has launched an online engagement map that can be found at the following link: http://www.frontenaccounty.ca/activetransportation As of July 26, this survey has received 73 comments and it will remain open throughout the plan engagement period in August and September. Almost all of the comments thus far have been constructive and will benefit the plan as it moves forward. Some examples of comments: “Gates along the Cataraqui trail are not bike friendly. They require dismounting in places. if cycling is going to be encouraged the gates should be designed in a way that is passable on a bike with minimal skill at slow speeds” “This piece of highway 7 desperately needs a paved shoulder. Help people safely access the retail area, and travel to quieter sideroads like 509, Fall River, Sharbot Lake Provincial park.” “Our family (and others from this area) walk along Battersea Road into the village. It is quite dangerous due to the speed of traffic and many hills and turns. Paved shoulders may increase safety.” Sustainability Implications The County of Frontenac Guide to Sustainability, Directions for Our Future, identifies the development of a “complete transportation system” which “includes a network for nonRecommend Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Community Development Advisory Committee – K&P Trail Sign Maintenance Policy August 9, 2018
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mechanized methods of travel.” Indicators of success include pedestrian friendly streets and kilometres of bicycle lanes established. The Regional Active Transportation Plan will enable townships to integrate active transportation projects into long-term capital plans, and to apply for additional funding dedicated towards active transportation infrastructure. Financial Implications Frontenac County has received $120,177.19 of funding from the OMCCP, however the program has been cancelled and no future allocations will be received. $40,000 of this funding has been combined with $40,000 from the Community Development Reserve to complete the Regional Active Transportation Master plan. The project is on budget and on schedule. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Alta Planning + Design Joe Gallivan, Planning and Economic Development Township of Central Frontenac Township of North Frontenac Township of South Frontenac Township of Frontenac Islands
Recommend Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Community Development Advisory Committee – K&P Trail Sign Maintenance Policy August 9, 2018
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