Staff Report: PROPOSED STREETS BYLAW NO. 980, 2018

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: August 29, 2018 FROM: S. Jones, Corporate Officer MEETING DATE: September 4, 2018

PROPOSED STREETS BYLAW NO. 980, 2018

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the August 29, 2018 report prepared by the Director of Corporate Services entitled “Proposed Streets Bylaw No. 980, 2018” be received.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES’ COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation. for L. Chase

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation. for P. Hurst

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To put forward a revamped bylaw that regulates the Town’s streets.

BACKGROUND:

The Town’s Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 609 was adopted in July 2005 (see Attachment “A”). Since that time several amendments have been done though major revisions have not been undertaken. Notable with Bylaw No. 609 have been issues around boulevard parking and maintenance; inadequate provisions for permits; and the desire by Council to avoid the dismount for cyclists on regional trails at crosswalks – in keeping with the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich approach. Accordingly, a review of this Bylaw was put forward in the Town’s Strategic Plan and staff began the task in the fall of 2016.

During late 2016 and into early 2017, a multi-departmental team met and provided extensive first edits. Subsequently, the then Deputy Director of Engineering and Corporate Officer met in the spring and summer months of 2017 to further refine the replacement bylaw. The Bylaw has now been reviewed by legal counsel and staff (CAO, Director of Development Services and the Corporate Officer) iteratively, with a view to ensuring legislative compatibility and enforceability.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed new Streets Bylaw No. 980, 2018 (see Attachment “B”) continues to include several of the provisions from the existing Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 609 such as stopping/parking prohibitions, while removing a majority of the traffic-related provisions such as how to approach green, yellow and red lights; passing; and turning maneuvers. These traffic-related provisions are enforced by the police not the Town and are contained within the Province’s Motor Vehicle Act.

Bylaw No. 980 establishes: a.) a permit system that contemplates driveway crossing construction, ditch in-fills, boulevard improvements/modifications, and temporary boulevard encroachments; b.) boulevard maintenance requirements; and c.) driveway crossing standards.

The proposed Bylaw removes the blanket boulevard parking prohibition and instead establishes minimum distances to the edge of the roadway, minimum shoulder widths, and minimum distances between a roadway and ditch (where present). These provisions are intended to reflect the variety of street typologies in the Town and to also ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles around parked vehicles.

With respect to the desire expressed by Council regarding a change to the dismount requirement by cyclists on regional trails, the proposed Bylaw includes a provision that facilitates the riding of a bicycle in a crosswalk (vs. dismounting) where a regional trail crosses a municipal street. Staff has been in contact with CRD Parks about this matter and discussed that, should this proposed Bylaw be adopted, information about the change – how the new provision impacts both road and trail users – can be posted on the Town’s website.

CONCLUSION/NEXT STEPS:

In conclusion, the proposed Streets Bylaw No. 980, 2018 provides a modernization and simplification to the existing Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 609. The proposed Bylaw includes provisions that facilitate property owners’ requests for items like driveway crossings and boulevard improvements while at the same time balancing the need for public safety.

In the coming weeks, minor modifications may be done to the proposed Bylaw based on final staff review. It is anticipated that the draft Bylaw will be before Council later in September 2018 for readings consideration. During the next week or so, if Council members have questions or require any clarification on items in the proposed Bylaw No. 980, please contact the Corporate Officer.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the August 29, 2018 report prepared by the Director of Corporate Services entitled “Proposed Streets Bylaw No. 980, 2018” be received.

SUBMITTED BY:

S. Jones, Corporate Officer

REVIEWED BY:

K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer