Correspondence from D. Denton - Roundabout at Erskine Lane
Resident email chain regarding traffic concerns and the switch from a roundabout to traffic lights at the Blueprint development.
Elena Bolster
Subject: FW: Blueprint housing project and traffic - Switch to traffic lights
From: Ivan Leung ILeung@viewroyal.ca Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:26 AM To: Kim Anema KAnema@viewroyal.ca Cc: Engineering E@viewroyal.ca; Ben Lubberts BLubberts@viewroyal.ca Subject: RE: Blueprint housing project and traffic - Switch to traffic lights
Good Morning Kim,
Dedicated left turn signals must be warranted through a traffic signal warrant analysis as it can effect level of service negatively if not warranted. It would be precedent setting not to and warrants are a best management practice. For example, the Town currently has a capital project to do such warranting for three intersections in the Town: staff recommended this after Councillor Rogers’ requested left turn signals at those three intersections.
Ivan Leung, P.Eng Director of Engineering Town of View Royal | 45 View Royal Ave | Victoria, BC V9B 1A6 d: 250-708-2272 | p: 250-479-6800
Zero Carbon Step Code requirements are coming into effect on November 1, 2023 for Part 9 residential buildings (single-family dwellings, duplexes and townhouses). Please visit www.viewroyal.ca for more information.
From: DON DENTON Sent: Monday, September 25, 2023 1:52 PM To: Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca Cc: Engineering E@viewroyal.ca; Ivan Leung ILeung@viewroyal.ca; Info Address info@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Blueprint housing project and traffic - Switch to traffic lights
Hello Everyone:
I wanted to check in with council members regarding the switch from a roundabout to traffic signals by the WestUrban development at 9 Erskine Lane.
I'm certainly for the switch to a traffic light (that roundabout was never going to fit) however I would like council to make certain that the traffic lights installed have not just the normal R/Y/G configuration but have turn signals as well for both Erskine and Stoneridge Drive. The 50 or so Stoneridge homes will be competing to turn left out of the subdivision with 300 + new rental homes so a turn signal is a must.
I've included emails I'd sent last spring asking about the viability of the roundabout and being advised that everything was in hand and approved.
Thank you for your time.
Don Denton
From: "DON DENTON" To: "Ivan Leung" ILeung@viewroyal.ca Cc: "Engineering" E@viewroyal.ca, "Info Address" info@viewroyal.ca, "Sid Tobias" mayortobias@viewroyal.ca, "Don Brown" dbrown@viewroyal.ca, "dkowalewich" DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca, "glemon" GLemon@viewroyal.ca, "Alison MacKenzie" amackenzie@viewroyal.ca, "rmattson" RMattson@viewroyal.ca, "jrogers" JRogers@viewroyal.ca Sent: Sunday, April 2, 2023 3:55:22 PM Subject: Re: Blueprint housing project and traffic
Ivan:
Thanks for the additional information.
Don
From: "Ivan Leung" ILeung@viewroyal.ca To: "DON DENTON" Cc: "Engineering" E@viewroyal.ca, "Info Address" info@viewroyal.ca, "Sid Tobias" mayortobias@viewroyal.ca, "Don Brown" dbrown@viewroyal.ca, "dkowalewich" DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca, "glemon" GLemon@viewroyal.ca, "Alison MacKenzie" amackenzie@viewroyal.ca, "rmattson" RMattson@viewroyal.ca, "jrogers" JRogers@viewroyal.ca Sent: Friday, March 31, 2023 4:49:53 PM Subject: RE: Blueprint housing project and traffic
Good Afternoon Don – I have reached out to our Development Services department regarding your final concern and they offer the following commentary:
As a rental building, residents will be allocated specific parking spaces. The Blueprint project will have 336 residential parking spaces for 326 units. There will also be 34 onsite visitor parking spaces provided in accordance with the parking study. Please feel free to contact Jeff Chow, Senior Planner in Development Services by email at jchow@viewroyal.ca or by phone at 250-708-2251.
Regarding emergency access, this was also reviewed at the time or rezoning.
Thank you.
Ivan Leung, P.Eng Director of Engineering Town of View Royal | 45 View Royal Ave | Victoria, BC V9B 1A6 d: 250-708-2272 | p: 250-479-6800
From: DON DENTON Sent: March 28, 2023 11:30 AM To: Ivan Leung ILeung@viewroyal.ca Cc: Engineering E@viewroyal.ca; Info Address info@viewroyal.ca; Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Blueprint housing project and traffic
Hi Ivan:
Thank you for the reply and the update/information provided.
I still have concerns that arise largely from viewing the growing site, daily use of the streets mentioned and the knowledge that yet another development will be built at the end of Erskine Lane.
It would appear that even with a roundabout, traffic flow on Watkiss will be affected at Sunridge Drive/Erskine and that we'll see backups at Burnside/Watkiss, the Hospital/Eagle Creek roundabout and Watkiss/Helmken.
I am also concerned about access/egress if there was an emergency situation (such as a fire) on Erskine given that there is only the one entry/exit point.
One final concern, given the already very limited guest parking spots in the Sunridge subdivision, what steps will be taken to prevent renters and guests from the developments across the street from overwhelming the parking?
Thank you Don
From: "Ivan Leung" ILeung@viewroyal.ca To: "dentond" Cc: "Engineering" E@viewroyal.ca, "Info Address" info@viewroyal.ca, "Sid Tobias" mayortobias@viewroyal.ca, "Don Brown" dbrown@viewroyal.ca, "dkowalewich" DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca, "glemon" GLemon@viewroyal.ca, "Alison MacKenzie" amackenzie@viewroyal.ca, "rmattson" RMattson@viewroyal.ca, "jrogers" JRogers@viewroyal.ca Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 12:52:48 PM Subject: RE: Blueprint housing project and traffic
Good Afternoon Don,
Thank you for reaching out to the Town regarding traffic at the Stoneridge / Erskine / Watkiss Way intersection. Your email has been forwarded to our department for response and I can offer the following commentary.
With multi-family developments such as 9 Erskine, the Town makes sure that the developer provides the necessary road improvements to ensure safety of road users within the vicinity of the project. This is done by:
- The administration of frontage improvements (road, bike lanes, boulevards, sidewalk, street lighting, etc) in accordance with our Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw
- The requirement for the developer to provide a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for review of additional requirements accommodate the development and the neighbourhood
These are typically required at the time of the rezoning of the property and is publicly available information. A public hearing for this development was provided for public comment on November 17, 2020. While this information was presented to the public over two years ago, the supporting documents can be found in the link provided, and detailed information regarding the two above noted requirements are found within these documents.
Based on the rezoning conditions and findings of the traffic impact assessment then developer will be required to install a roundabout at the Watkiss / Erskine / Stoneridge intersection. This was supported by staff and Council as a means to control traffic in the intersection, as well as provide traffic calming. The roundabout will also improve pedestrian accessibility with the addition of some sidewalks and crosswalks.
In terms of timing of the works, this can be difficult to pinpoint but I would anticipate that these works may commence later this year. The roundabout design is currently being adjusted to further improve pedestrian accessibility and to mitigate disturbances to neighbouring properties.
Thank you,
Ivan Leung, P.Eng Director of Engineering Town of View Royal | 45 View Royal Ave | Victoria, BC V9B 1A6 d: 250-708-2272 | p: 250-479-6800
From: DON DENTON Sent: March 27, 2023 10:15 AM To: Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca; Engineering E@viewroyal.ca Subject: Blueprint housing project and traffic
Hello Everyone:
As a resident of the Stoneridge subdivision just across Watkiss from the new Blueprint housing project on Erskine I have a growing concern about traffic and the project.
Seeing plans etc ahead of a build it's hard to envision exactly what construction will bring.
Looking at the size of the actual build I am starting to have real concerns about traffic control onto Watkiss once the new residents (over 300 rental units) move in.
I don't believe we were actually told how traffic will be handled leaving Erskine. It does appear that Erskine will still be the only road in and out which means there will be a heavy daily flow from Erskine to Watkiss. This will be compounded by the extra traffic from the new bus yard at Watkiss and Burnside (which I realize was a provincial initiative not View Royal's).
Can you advise what traffic controls or road changes will be in place at the intersection of Watkiss with Stoneridge Drive and Erskine Lane and tentative time/date for those events?
Thank You Don Denton
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