COVENANT AMENDMENT REQUEST: 9 Erskine Lane

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to introduce a proposal to amend Covenant CA8718173 so that a signalized intersection can be constructed instead of a roundabout at the intersection of Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way.

BACKGROUND:

• 9 Erskine Lane was rezoned in 2020 to permit a 336-unit rental apartment development that is now under construction.
• Covenant CA8718173 was registered in conjunction with the rezoning to secure a number of community amenity contributions, most notably the installation of a roundabout at the Watkiss Way / Erskine Lane intersection.

DISCUSSION:

Original (Circular) Versus Revised (Oval) Roundabout

Consultant study:

• Sidewalk at the Stoneridge Drive crosswalk requires extension down the hill. Geotechnical and civil engineering investigations confirms that the site grading work would still encroach into private property (corner properties at the Stoneridge Drive / Watkiss Way)
• Additional trees would need to be removed along Watkiss Way (public concerns)
• Narrower sidewalk within the roundabout to save space / trees vs. increased conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists;
• Shifting the crosswalk at Stoneridge Drive closer towards Watkiss Way is not recommended: increased pedestrian conflicts and collision potential (rear ends); and
• 10+ iterations were done to move and shift the roundabout; none provided an answer that could fit within the road right of way and provide the needed safety measures.

Staff comments:

• For the rezoning the applicant proposed a roundabout based on public engagement process, which identified the following priorities:
  • improve traffic calming on Watkiss Way
  • providing less impeded access from Erskine Lane to Watkiss Way
• Per the WATT report, a signalized intersection could still accommodate this to an extent by increasing “friction” to the roadway: narrowing and / or reducing the visual openness of the roadway

Ways to increase “friction” by reducing the visual openness:

• Slightly changing the alignment of Watkiss Way requiring vehicles to slow before the intersection.
• Installing a low height median to provide a visual cue
• Improve safety of active travellers on Watkiss way in accordance with the Active Transportation Network Plan, through:
  • Providing a 1.8m wide separated sidewalk
  • 1.5-2.0m wide boulevard basic furnishing zone
  • Protected bike lane

3.0m Multi-Use Path on Erskine Lane

3.0m Multi-Use Path

Staff is not in favour of a multi-use path on Erskine Lane for the following reasons:

• Erskine Lane is relatively steep in nature. By installing a bi-directional facility on the north side of Erskine Lane, cyclists travelling downhill would be in close proximity to vehicles travelling uphill, potentially creating an unsafe environment for active travellers;
• maintenance of the multi-use path would fall on the Town. With steep slopes in mind, the maintenance expectations in the winter months could accrue higher costs to the Town;
• the Active Transportation Network Plan already proposes a multi-use path on Talcott Road, which is the adjacent roadway south of Erskine Lane. Talcott Road is better suited for a multi-use path due to shallower slopes, more boulevard space (and thus better separation from traffic), and direct proximity to the Eagle View Elementary School; and
• the anticipated vehicle volumes are expected to be significantly less than 2,500-4,000 per day and vehicle speeds are expected to be less than 50km/hr. With the Active Transportation Plan already considering Talcott Road as a roadway befitting of an all ages and ability corridor, the same treatment is not required along Erskine Lane.

Staff recommend that the existing requirements (buffered bike lane and concrete sidewalk) be maintained for Erskine Lane.

CONCLUSION:

Staff supports the proposal with additional measures to reduce speeding on Watkiss Way, including:

• signal timing priority for vehicles exiting Erskine Lane in the mornings;
• traffic calming by reducing the visual openness of this stretch of Watkiss Way;
• improving safety of active travellers with sidewalk and boulevard improvements; in accordance with the Active Transportation Network Plan; and
• protected bike lanes on Watkiss Way.

Staff does not support the request for a multi-use path on Erskine Lane as it is less suitable than a multi-use path on Talcott Road, which is proposed to have a multi-use path per the Active Transportation Network Plan.

If the Committee supports consideration of the proposal, a public hearing would be scheduled prior to Council’s decision on the request.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report titled “Request to Amend Covenant for Erskine Lane / Watkiss Way Roundabout” from the Director of Engineering and the Senior Planner dated September 6, 2023 be received for information.