Presentation: COVENANT AMENDMENT REQUEST – 9 ERSKINE LANE

COVENANT AMENDMENT REQUEST – 9 ERSKINE LANE

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to summarize a proposal to amend Covenant CA8718173 to construct a signalized intersection instead of a roundabout at the intersection of Erskine Lane, Stoneridge Drive 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.

May 2, 2023 Council Meeting:

• Detail design phase indicated challenges fitting original roundabout within road right of way
• Encroachment onto private property. Privacy issues
• Design concessions (informal path, crosswalk challenges, removal of trees)

• Oval roundabout recommendation
• Mitigation of property encroachment, improved privacy
• Improved pedestrian accessibility, consistent with Active Transportation
• Future inclusion of flashing beacons when required

Sept. 12, 2023 Committee of the Whole:

• Further geotechnical design still identified private property encroachments and more tree removals due to required retaining walls
• Impacts to pedestrian accessibility (crosswalk removal, sidewalk width)

STAFF COMMENTS:

Sept. 12, 2023 Committee of the Whole:

Shifting roundabout away from Stoneridge Drive:

• Driveway turning restrictions
• Sightline issues and requiring removal of trees at SE corner

Shifting roundabout northeast:

• Encroachment into #202 property
• Further shifting into 9 Erskine property would remove right turn entrance leg into Stoneridge Drive

Shifting roundabout southwest:

• Encroachment into #56 property
• Further affects #22 property

STAFF COMMENTS – SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION

• For the rezoning the applicant proposed a roundabout based on public engagement process, which identified the following priorities:
  • improve traffic calming on Watkiss Way
  • provide less impeded access from Erskine Lane to Watkiss Way
• Per the Traffic Impact Assessment, a signalized intersection could still accommodate the above noted transportation values by incorporating design elements that increase “friction” to the roadway: narrowing and / or reducing the visual openness of the roadway

Design Elements

• Changing the road alignment on Watkiss Way and install low height median(s), providing a visual cue and requiring vehicles to slow before the intersection.
• Improve safety of active travellers via Active Transportation Network Plan guidelines:
  • 1.8m wide separated sidewalk
  • 1.5-2.0m wide boulevard basic furnishing zone
  • Protected bike lane c/w physical buffer zones

STAFF COMMENTS: LEVEL OF SERVICE COMPARISON

CONCLUSION:

Staff supports the proposal as the works would not require additional land acquisition from nearby properties.

Staff recommend additional design measures be implemented to including:

• Signal timing priority for vehicles exiting Erskine Lane in the morning peak period;
• Leading pedestrian signal timing to improve the prioritization of pedestrians;
• BC Transit review of the transit stop locations to optimize locations with revised intersection;
• Install active transportation related safety features including:
  • Crosswalks (all four crossings);
  • Protected bike lanes on Watkiss Way complete with physical concrete buffers at the intersection;
  • Conflict paint to extend bike lanes through the intersection;
  • Landscape median at the western approach;

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Covenant CA8718173 be modified, establishing a signalized intersection be constructed instead of a roundabout at the intersection of Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way

AND THAT the modified covenant reference the concept plan attached to the report titled “Request to Amend Covenant for Erskine Lane/Watkiss Way Roundabout – Further Information” dated October 11, 2023 from the Director of Engineering and the Senior Planner.