public information centre no. 1 initiatives shellard lane... · · 2012-10-05public information...

June 20, 2012

Public Information Centre No. 1 Shellard Lane Class Environmental Assessment from Colborne Street West to the west City Limit

In the City of Brantford

Brantford and District Civic Centre – Auditorium, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Shellard Lane Class Environmental Assessment 2

Study Area

The Study Area extends along Shellard Lane, from

Colborne Street West to the west City limit.


• Shellard Lane is a key arterial route servicing the southwest area of Brantford. Sustained existing and planned future urban growth has triggered the need for a Schedule „C‟ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to assess transportation needs along the corridor, to meet expected travel demand and maintain safe and efficient traffic flow through the area.

• The City of Brantford‟s 2007 Transportation Master Plan Update (TMP) recommends the widening of Shellard Lane, as well as on-road Bicycle Lanes and neighbourhood connections for walking and cycling trails.

Study Background


Study Purpose: • To identify long term improvements for the horizon year of 2027 and

beyond, to meet the anticipated travel needs in the corridor.

Study Objectives: • To consider, evaluate and document improvement alternatives for

Shellard Lane, taking into account natural environmental, technical and

socio-economic factors.

• To consult with stakeholders to identify and resolve or mitigate issues of

concern.

• To meet the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental

Assessment process to permit the City of Brantford to proceed to detail

design and construction.

Study Background


Municipal Class EA Process

• Many projects related to municipal water supply, sewers and transportation

systems that are similar in nature, are carried out routinely, and have

predictable and mitigable environmental effects are investigated according

to the Municipal Engineers Association "Municipal Class Environmental

Assessment,” (October 2000, as amended 2011).

• The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process

categorizes proposed municipal projects according to their anticipated

environmental impact, and requires increasingly stringent review

requirements as the magnitude of the anticipated environmental impact

increases.

• This project will be conducted in compliance with Schedule “C” of the

Municipal Engineers Association "Municipal Class Environmental

Assessment,” (October 2000, as amended 2007).


Municipal Class EA Process

Phase 1

Identify

and Describe

the Problem(s)

Phase 2

Alternative

Planning

Solutions

Phase 3

Alternative Design

Concepts

For the Preferred

Solution

Phase 4

Environmental

Study Report

Phase 5

Implementation

• Compile an

Environmental Study

Report (ESR).

• Place ESR on public

record for review for 30

days.

• Notify the public and

government agencies of

completion of the ESR

and of the Part II Order

provision in the EA Act.

• Proceed to construction of

the project.

• Monitor environmental

provisions and

commitments.

Problem Statement Preferred Solution ESR

Agency and

Stakeholder

Consultation

Agency and

Stakeholder

Consultation

• Identify reasonable

alternative planning

solutions.

• Evaluate the alternative

solutions, taking into

consideration

environmental and

technical factors.

• Identify a preferred

solution to the problem(s).

• Identify alternative

designs to implement the

preferred solution.

• Inventory natural,

social/cultural and

economic environments.

• Identify the impact of the

alternative designs after

mitigation.

• Evaluate alternative

designs.

• Identify a preferred

design.

We Are Here

Preferred Design


The following reports will be

completed as part of the study:

• Traffic

• Stage 1 Archaeology

• Geotechnical

• Fish and Fish Habitat Assessment

• Terrestrial Ecology

• Traffic Noise Assessment

• Storm Water Management

Technical Studies

Study Background


Existing Conditions – Land Use • The City of Brantford‟s Official Plan

designates lands within the study area as Residential (low, medium, high density), Institutional, Commercial, Parkland & Open Space, and Natural Areas.

• Land use between Colborne Street West and Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP) is Commercial (plaza) on the west side and Residential on the east side.

• Land use from VMP to Flanders is Residential and Institutional (Kingdom Hall).

• From Flanders to Conklin, land use is Medium Density Residential (condominium), Institutional (St. Gabriels School, Ryerson Heights School and Assumption College) and Commercial (Assumption Plaza).

• Existing land use south of Conklin is primarily Agricultural and Rural Residential.


North of Shellard Lane Plan SOUTH-WEST AREA TRAFFIC ZONES

The North of Shellard Neighbourhood and Recreation Plan - 2011, supersedes the Official Plan land use designations, building upon the West of Conklin Secondary Plan policies and regulations to further illustrate the potential development form for the North of Shellard Lane Study Area west of Conklin Ave.


Existing Conditions – Natural Environment

Designated Natural Areas: •D‟Aubigny Creek Swamp Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW), north of

Shellard Lane, occurs within the study area at Crossings C1, C2, C4, and

C5, with the largest area at C1 and the tributary immediately upstream of the crossing.

Aquatic Habitat: •The study area is located within the Grand River Watershed. D‟Aubigny

Creek Swamp PSW is a complex of wetland areas associated with

D‟Aubigny Creek and its tributaries. The wetland is the area near the

watercourse that is inundated by surface or groundwater frequently

enough to support vegetation typically adapted for wet soil conditions.

The watercourses themselves are not PSWs, but that they are

directly associated with the wetlands in the surrounding floodplain area.

Ecological Land Classification (ELC): •The majority of the area is cultural (planted, agricultural, residential,

commercial), however there are some natural areas and three deciduous

forested areas.


Aquatic and Terrestrial Biology:

• Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) does not have any records of Species at Risk (SAR) within the study area.

• Barn Swallow (listed as Threatened by COSEWIC and SARO) nests were observed adhered to the inside of two culverts. An individual barn swallow was observed flying approximately 1 km east of the nests. An additional two bird species listed as Threatened by COSEWIC and SARO – Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark - were observed.

• The Monarch butterfly, listed as Special Concern by COSEWIC and SARO, was observed.


• Butternut tree species are Provincially ranked as Vulnerable and are listed as Endangered by COSEWIC and have been identified in two nearby woodlots. The woodlots are outside of the immediate study area and no Butternut trees were identified adjacent to the ROW.

• MNR or Conservation Authority have identified no aquatic SAR within the study area.


Existing Culvert Locations:

• C1- D‟Aubigny Creek (main branch of D‟Aubigny Creek is a permanent Coldwater Fisheries Creek. Crossing is 3.6 m by 1.7 m concrete open footing culvert.

• Unnamed Tributaries to D‟Aubigny Creek:

• C2

• C3

• C4

• C5

• C6 enclosed with in a storm sewer system

• C7

• C8 enclosed with in a storm sewer system



Existing Conditions – Archaeological

• The background research indicates that the study area exhibits

archaeological potential due to:

1. The presence of 120 registered archaeological sites within a one km

radius and nine (9) of these have been found within the study corridor;

2. Land within the study corridor is within 300 metres of historically

mapped and current tributaries of D‟Aubigny Creek, and

3. The study corridor surrounds a historic transportation route (post-

1858).

• A Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment is warranted for the study area

with the exception of low and wet terrain, excessive slope, and areas

where archaeological potential has been removed through

grading/construction activities and road construction.

• A Stage 2 Archeological Assessment will be completed at a later date.


Existing Conditions – Transportation

• Two-lane arterial roadway, providing for access to

adjacent residential, commercial, and institutional

land uses as well as for east – west through

traffic.

• Existing roadway cross section is urban east of

Diana and rural west of Diana. Shoulder widths

vary, and are substandard west of McGuiness.

• Posted speed is 50kph.

• Shellard Lane is a bus route to McGuiness.

• Shellard Lane is a truck route.

• There is a presumed substandard vertical curve

west of Flanders.

• Operational issues include student drop off and

Pedestrian crossings at Assumption.


The Multi-Use Trail and Bikeway Implementation and Design Plan (MTBIDP) was developed as part of the Brantford Transportation Study, and provided the initial Master Plan for a City-wide bikeway and trail network. At present, there are sidewalks from Colborne to Conklin. There are discontinuous intersecting routes to and from local roads.

On-Road Facilities: Existing adjacent on-road facilities are “On-Street Cautionary Connections” and are discontinuous, with varying lane widths throughout the study area.

Shellard Lane has proposed facilities identified as “Planned On-Road Bike Lanes” in the MTBIDP.

Multi Purpose Trail: Two trail routes pass through the Study Area, T.H.&B. Rail Trail and Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway (along VMP).

Existing Conditions – Trails & Cycling Routes


Existing PM Peak

Traffic Volumes

Traffic Study Overview

Colbor ne St r eet

Conklin Road

VM P St r eet C

M cGuiness Dr ive Powell Road

St . Pat r icks Dr ive Diana Avenue St r eet B

St r eet E

M cGuiness Dr ive Flander s Dr ive St r eet A

St r eet D

95

80

95

80

95

89

1

80

13

6

30

79

95

80

13

7

80

34

65

29

9

37

68

94 120

29

95

80

30

14

101

9

14

18

16

32

67

3

2

45

4

6

1

88

8

2

34

70

41

5

10

5

16

190

77

34

4

15

5

1036

29

0

50 64

174

197

52

44

27

5

11

2

31

5

494

352

421

Shella

rd L

ane

Shella

rd L

ane

Shella

rd L

ane

303

372

199

265

80

95

80

95

80

95


Colbor ne St r eet

Conklin Road

VM P St r eet C

M cGuiness Dr ive Powell Road

St . Pat r icks Dr ive Diana Avenue St r eet B

St r eet E

M cGuiness Dr ive Flander s Dr ive St r eet A

St r eet D

573

545

489

34

16

10

4

53

4

10

5 241

45

7 23

57

136

35

7

48

4

69 82

7

73

3

37

8

12

36

6

18 63

208 1

713 33

19

12

57

0

229

19

3

49

7

52

0

17

278

39

0

81

53 44

0 2

54 12

3

6

67

9

28

12

45

24

2

11

15

3 126 14

40

6

4

9 14

28 1

39

10

6

50

4

29

3

2

10

23

40

58

6

1 36

201

10

24

3

19

45

0

12

51

0

11

12

60 117 35

40

6

2

10 6

107 2

21

21

2

33

1

32 53

8

19

90

8

16

96 14

23

7

37

151

11

39

1

27

6

34

26

Future PM Peak

Traffic Volumes (Preliminary Data)

S

hella

rd L

ane

Shella

rd L

ane

Shella

rd L

ane

1,2

35

1,0

23

743

1,1

10

394

349

396

349

408

238

Traffic Study Overview


Based on the review of existing and future conditions, as well as preliminary consultation with stakeholders, the following problems/ opportunities have been identified:

• Existing and future traffic congestion;

• Poor pavement condition in some areas;

• Lack of consistent accommodation for pedestrians and cyclists;

• Need for urbanization of the roadway;

• Traffic operations and safety related to access to residential, commercial and institutional entrances;

• Pedestrian crossing safety issues at Assumption College/Assumption Plaza, and

• Sight distance issue on Shellard Lane west of Flanders.

Need and Justification


Alternative 1: Do Nothing

Alternative 2: Alternative Routes - Use of alternate routes to reduce background

traffic volumes.

Alternative 3: Widen to Three Lanes with Intersection Improvements.

Alternative 4: Widen to Four Lanes from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Conklin.

Alternative 5: Four Lanes from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Street C.

Alternative 6: Transit Service Improvements: Improve existing public transit

service within the City of Brantford to encourage a shift in modal choice from

automobile to public transit.

Alternative 7: Travel Demand Management (TDM): Shift travel behaviour to

reduce peak hour vehicular traffic demand, including increasing the number of

car-pool parking facilities, creating high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes,

flexible work hours and facilitating active modes of transportation such as

walking and cycling.

Alternative 8: Combine alternatives 3, 4 or 5, plus 6 and 7 to increase the overall

effectiveness of individual alternatives and reduce environmental impacts.

Planning Solutions Considered


Cross Section Alternatives


Alternative 1: (Do Nothing) will result in significant congestion and delays at the intersections along Shellard Lane in the future.

Alternative 2: (Alternative Routes) Not feasible as Shellard Lane is the only access, or most direct access for much of the area, and is the only designated arterial route.

Alternatives 3, 4 and 5: (Reconstruct and Widen Shellard Lane) These alternatives have the potential to address the identified needs, and are carried forward for further evaluation.

Alternative 6: (Transit Service Improvements) This alternative can be implemented with Alternatives 3, 4 or 5, but is not expected to significantly reduce traffic demands.

Alternative 7: (Travel Demand Management) This alternative can be implemented with Alternatives 3, 4 or 5, but is not expected to significantly reduce traffic demands.

Alternative 8 (Combination) Combine alternatives 3, 4 or 5 with 6 and 7 to increase the overall effectiveness of individual alternatives and reduce environmental impacts.

Assessment of Planning Solutions

The preliminary recommended Planning Solution is Alternative 8,

as it will address the identified needs while minimizing impacts.

Alternatives 3, 4 and 5 are carried forward for further evaluation


Component Area of Study Alternative 3 – Three lane cross

section Colborne to Conklin

Alternative 4 – Four lane cross

section VMP to Conklin

Alternative 5 – Four lane cross

section VMP to Street C

Natural

Environment

Vegetation

Wildlife Habitat

Surface Water/

Fisheries/Drainage

Special Designations/ESA

Land Use

Pedestrian Facilities

Socio-

Economic

Environnent

Noise

Archaeology and Cultural

Heritage Resources

Access Considerations

Utilities

Construction Disruptions

Engineering

Factors

Safety

Travel Delay/Traffic Capacity

Cost

Other Compatibility with City Plans and

Policies

Preliminary Assessment of Short Listed

Planning Alternatives

Legend Most Least Preference


Next Steps

• Receive public comments by July 6, 2012;

• Review and confirm Preferred Planning Alternatives and assessment

in light of comments received from the public and agencies to date,

and confirm or modify alternative;

• Complete Environmental Inventory;

• Develop Alternative Design Concepts;

• Complete detailed Impact Analysis;

• Develop proposals for mitigation of negative effects;

• Meeting with agencies and stakeholders;

• PIC No. 2 – Fall 2012, and

• Prepare and File Environmental Study Report late 2012 / early 2013.


How to Provide Your Comments

• Complete a comment sheet

• By Mail

• By Phone

• By Fax

• By e-mail

Please submit comments no later than

July 6, 2012

Thank you for your participation!

Mr. Vic Bohdanow, P.Eng.

Public Works Commission

City of Brantford

City Hall - 100 Wellington Square

Brantford, ON, N3T 2M3

Phone: 519-759-1350 ext. 2249

Fax: 519-754-0724

Email: [email protected]

Mr. David Sinke, P. Eng.

Consultant Project Manager

AMEC Environment &

Infrastructure

3215 North Service Road

Burlington, ON L7N 3G2

Phone: 905-335-2353

Toll Free: 1-866-751-2353

Fax: 905-335-1414

Email: [email protected]

public information centre no. 1 initiatives shellard lane... · · 2012-10-05public information...

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