CRD Regional Transportation Plan

Engineering & Development Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: February 7, 2014 FROM: John Rosenberg & Lindsay Chase MEETING DATE: February 11, 2014 FILE NO.: 5350-28

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CRD Regional Transportation Plan

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RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee recommend to Council approval in principle of the CRD Regional Transportation Plan.

And Further that regional co-operation for multi-modal transportation issues can achieve the outcomes desired without the transfer of additional authority to the CRD.

And Further that the CRD be requested to provide additional information advising the implication a revised gas tax allocation agreement, allowing for 50% of the gas tax funds to be allocated to regionally significant transportation projects.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To solicit input from the Committee on the CRD Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) as presented at the January 14 Committee of the Whole meeting.

TIME CRITICAL:

Town of View Staff has committed to provide feedback on the plan by February 19, 2014 following the February 18 Council meeting.

BACKGROUND:

The RTP identifies a desired regional multi-modal transportation network, outlines actions that will facilitate its ongoing development and details the required governance and funding mechanisms. It is recognized that regional transportation issues need to be developed co-operatively by the impacted communities and that the funding of the infrastructure is paramount to the success of the region. However the decision on the governance structure and the impact and possible consequence to other local and regional infrastructure needs to be part of the discussion. Input to develop the current draft was created and driven by the CRD and its consultants. Local municipal staff and several other agencies were invited to various meetings held by the CRD to present the strategy and facilitate input in the development of the plan by the various stakeholders.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

The RTP will be premised on a Regional Multi Nodal Network (RMN) where walking, cycling, transit and viable alternatives to driving alone in and between our populations is not only encouraged but continuously improved. The premise of the report is that revision of governance and funding are required to achieve the following goals:

• Integration of land use and transportation
• Creating exceptional environments for walking and cycling
• Taking transit to the next level
• Getting the most out of our roads and trails
• Influencing travel behavior

The resulting infrastructure projects will be funded through a revised gas tax allocation agreement, allowing for 50% of the gas tax funds to be allocated to regionally significant transportation projects.

Staff is concerned that the governance model will reduce the ability of the Town to make decisions that meet our needs or that may be in conflict or competition with regional interests. Additionally, the Regional Sustainability Strategy is still in early draft form. The linkages between land use and transportation are not fully understood in the absence of this key policy document.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

Although the discussion at this point does not require funding the potential exists that future grant funding may be altered significantly for non RTP projects.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Notwithstanding current funding paradigms the future modal does have the appearance of a more secure and successful model for transit issues at may however come at the expense of other types of municipal priorities.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Endorse the current draft and continue to provide feedback as requested to the CRD thru all of it stakeholder engagement facilitations.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee recommend to Council approval in principle of the CRD Regional Transportation Plan.

And Further that regional co-operation for multi-modal transportation issues can achieve the outcomes desired without the transfer of additional authority to the CRD.

And Further that the CRD be requested to provide additional information advising the implication a revised gas tax allocation agreement, allowing for 50% of the gas tax funds to be allocated to regionally significant transportation projects.

SUBMITTED BY: John Rosenberg Director of Engineering

SUBMITTED BY: Lindsay Chase Director of Development Services

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema Chief Administrative Officer