Correspondence from Holly Cairns Re: Rezoning Application 2023-01 – 339, 341, and 345 Island Highway

Subject: Re: Sept 12 Committee of the Whole item 9.3.3 (a) Rezoning Application 2023-01 – 339, 341, and 345 Island Highway

Good evening, thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on this rezoning application. My home is located on Prince Robert Drive and I am concerned primarily that the proposed development would include an exit for all traffic from the site to Prince Robert Drive.

I note that the Traffic Impact Assessment does not include any assessment of the impact to residents on Prince Robert Drive, Heddle or View Royal Avenue. The assessment assumes that all traffic would turn right and onto Island Highway, notwithstanding the excessive congestion that often occurs on Island Highway between Burnside and Helmcken roads during peak hours.

Given current traffic volumes, it is very likely that residents of the new site would make the rational choice during peak hours and turn left on Prince Robert Drive to avoid the congestion on that section of Island Highway to exit at Helmcken or another exit through to View Royal Avenue.

This neighbourhood has no sidewalks and limited visibility at certain intersections due to the residential character of the neighbourhood, its age, and mature vegetation. The development would increase cars driving through the Harbour neighbourhood up to 100 (traffic assessment estimate) to 297 (total proposed parking spaces) during peak times if they choose to avoid the congestion on Island Highway.

I recall when improvements were made to Island Highway about ten years ago, and my neighbours and I raised concerns about drivers bypassing through the Harbour neighbourhood to avoid the congestion from the resulting construction delays. I recall town staff and the contractors assuring us that this could not possibly occur. I remember the resulting congestion and the speeding drivers through my neighbourhood. I would like to avoid our quiet streets becoming a thoroughfare again and putting me, my neighbours and our children at risk when we walk down the street.

Should this project proceed, I would appreciate some consideration being given to have all vehicles exit directly onto Island Highway rather than onto Prince Robert Drive. I think some consideration should also be given to reducing the parking requirements so that there is greater reliance on public transit by the residents rather than increasing traffic in an already over-congested over-burdened corridor.

If exit directly onto Island Highway isn’t feasible, then other measures should be considered, including traffic calming measures along Prince Robert Drive and restricted ingress /egress to the site (eg, only right hand turns out/ left hand turns in to the site to discourage traffic through the Harbour neighborhood).

Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.

Holly Cairns
566 Prince Robert Drive