MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023

November 7, 2023Pages 5–102 sections

Minutes from the Public Hearing regarding a request to amend a covenant for the Erskine Lane/Watkiss Way roundabout to allow for a signalized intersection.

3.a Minutes of the Public Hearing held October 17, 2023

458 notices were mailed to residents within a 400m radius40 members of the public presentDiscussed feasibility of roundabout vs. dedicated turn lanes and traffic lightsMeeting terminated at 7:57 p.m.

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL

MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023 VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

Mayor Tobias
Councillor Brown
Councillor Kowalewich
Councillor Lemon
Councillor Mattson – via Microsoft Teams
Councillor Rogers

REGRETS:

Councillor MacKenzie

PRESENT ALSO:

K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration
D. Christenson, Director of Finance
L. Taylor, Director of Development Services
P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services
I. Leung, Director of Engineering
J. Chow, Senior Planner
E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
40 members of the public
0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Tobias called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Mayor acknowledged that the meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the agenda be amended to include items 4(a)(5)(g-l);

AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. PUBLIC HEARING

a) Statement of Public Hearing Procedure

Mayor Tobias made a brief statement regarding the procedures for public hearings.

b) Statement of Publication of Public Hearing

The Senior Planner advised that the notice that advertised this Public Hearing was posted on the notice board at Town Hall on October 5, 2023. The notice was also advertised in two consecutive issues of a newspaper being the Times Colonist on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 and Thursday, October 12, 2023. A total of approximately 458 notices were mailed on October 5, 2023 to owners and residents of land located within a 400 metre radius of the subject property.

4. REPORTS

4.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Request to Amend Covenant for Erskine Lane/Watkiss Way Roundabout – Further Information

Report dated October 11, 2023 from the Director of Engineering and Senior Planner
Comments from Municipal Staff

The Director of Engineering gave a presentation to Council regarding the proposed amendment to the covenant.

Council and staff discussed street sweeping within the bike lanes, feasibility of a roundabout, dedicated right and left turn lanes, detector loops, provision of a sidewalk on the west side of Erskine Lane by 10 Erskine Lane, costs associated with the construction of a traffic light compared to a roundabout, and future maintenance costs.

Comments from the Applicant

A. Kading, Senior Transportation Engineer, Watt Consulting Group, noted that an analysis was performed and determined that a single lane can accommodate traffic based on a full build-out. He stated that in the future, should dedicated right and left turn lanes be required, there is sufficient space.

Council and M. Fitzgerald, applicant, discussed the public engagement process.

Comments from the Public

a) C. Stewart, 22 Erskine Lane, stated his support for the proposed signalized intersection, noting a roundabout would have serious negative impacts to their property, and feels an intersection is a safer solution. He noted his concerns regarding tree removal should a roundabout be installed, and stated his concerns regarding speed, and difficulty getting out of his driveway. He also stated his opposition to the installation of a sidewalk on the west side of Erskine Lane.

b) L. Angel, 24-14 Erskine Lane, spoke to Council regarding her support for the installation of a signalized intersection at Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way. She stated her concerns regarding access to the fire lane and noted a right turn lane at peak times onto Watkiss Way may have merit.

c) C. Kitson, 17-14 Erskine Lane, spoke to Council regarding her support for the installation of a signalized intersection at Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way. She spoke to Council regarding safety and street lighting.

d) C. McDougall, 291 View Royal Avenue, spoke to Council regarding costs associated with both dedicated right turn and left turn lanes from Erskine Lane onto Watkiss Way.

e) R. Gocher, 206 Stoneridge Place, stated his support for the installation of a traffic signal at Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way and noted this solution will result in the removal of fewer trees. He spoke to Council regarding the possibility of a flashing light as opposed to a traditional signalized light operation.

f) C. Stewart, 22 Erskine Lane, spoke to Council regarding the possibility of relocating the BC Hydro power pole to retain more trees.

g) D. Wilson, 291 View Royal Avenue, noted his concerns regarding costs and the timing of decision-making vis a vis cost information.

h) J. Edmonds, 1900 Watkiss Way, via Microsoft Teams chat, inquired as to whether the traffic impact assessment included the traffic anticipated to come from BC Transit’s handyDART site.

i) D. Kury, 102 Stoneridge Close, via Microsoft Teams chat, asked if in-ground loops would be installed at Erskine Lane and Stoneridge Drive to limit vehicle idling at the intersection.

j) M. Cacovic, 204 Stoneridge Drive, via Microsoft Teams chat, noted his support for a proposed signalized intersection at Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way and is concerned about tree removal.

5. Correspondence

a) Email dated October 4, 2023 from C. Trudeau, 2 Stoneridge Drive, Re: Covenant Amendment – Erskine Lane/Watkiss Way