Report To: Development Services Committee Item: Date of Report: From: DS-07-144 May 23, 2007 Commissioner, Development File: Date of Meeting: Services Department F-7000-0013 May 28, 2007 Subject: Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Ward(s): 2, 3 Class Environmental Assessment Study 1.0 PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to: PUBLIC REPORT (a) Provide an update on the status of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study; and (b) Establish a Council position on the technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection. Staff from the Region of Durham overviewed the status of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Class Environmental Assessment Study and identified the technically preferred alignment at the Development Services Committee meeting on May 7, 2007. Exhibit No. 1 to this report is a map showing the limits of the Study Area for the EA Study. Exhibit No. 2 shows the short list of route alignment alternatives evaluated for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection between Simcoe Street South and Ritson Road South. Exhibit No. 3 shows the technically preferred alignment of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection between Stevenson Road South and Simcoe Street South. Exhibit No. 4 shows the technically preferred alignment of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection between Simcoe Street South and Ritson Road South. Attachment No. 1 is a letter from Heritage Oshawa, dated May 1, 2007, regarding the technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection. 2.0 RECOMMENDATION That the Development Services Committee recommend to City Council: 1. That the City of Oshawa endorse the technically preferred alignment identified as part of the ongoing Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Class Environmental Assessment Study, as shown on Exhibits No. 3 and 4 to the report of the Commissioner of Development Services, DS-07-144, dated May 23, 2007. 98011-9901
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 2 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 2. That Region of Durham be requested to address the City issues identified in Section 5.4 of the report of the Commissioner of Development Services, DS-07-144, dated May 23, 2007, in the continuation of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Class Environmental Assessment Study. 3. That the Region of Durham be requested to identify and fund any costs associated with the potential relocation of any playground and bocce facilities in Sunnyside Park impacted by the technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection as well as any impacts to the Michael Starr Trail. 4. That the Region of Durham be requested to provide details and fund the implementation of any identified City road and intersection realignments, road closures, and new road connections associated with the technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection. 5. That a copy of the report of the Commissioner of Development Services, DS-07-144, dated May 23, 2007, be forwarded to the Region of Durham. 3.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2006, the Region of Durham retained Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) as the lead consultant to undertake a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection. The purpose of this EA study is to: Review and confirm the need for additional east-west roadway capacity; and Identify and recommend an efficient and direct connection between Gibb Street and Olive Avenue so that property can be protected for future construction. As part of the EA process, the Region and TSH have identified a technically preferred alignment for the connection of Gibb Street and Olive Avenue and associated road improvements. The technically preferred alignment includes: A symmetrical widening of Gibb Street, with a 26 metre road right-of-way from Stevenson Road South to west of Park Road South. A reduced road right-of-way width of 19.1 metres in the constrained sections between Park Road South and Simcoe Street South. In addition, the widening of Gibb Street from east of Oshawa Creek to Simcoe Street South is proposed to be on the south side of the existing road alignment. A new roadway connection of Gibb Street from Simcoe Street South through Barrie Street to Olive Avenue at Drew Street, with a 26 metre road right-of-way. In the constrained areas east of Drew Street, a narrower 19.1 metre road right-of-way is recommended.
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 3 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 City staff have been involved throughout the study process and support the need for a direct connection between Gibb Street and Olive Avenue as well as the technically preferred alignment. 4.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES Staff from Development Services and Transportation and Parking Services (Community Services) have provided input to the Region and TSH during the study process. Heritage Oshawa has reviewed the proposed route alignment alternatives evaluated as part of the ongoing Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection Class EA Study as these relate to the impact on Oshawa s heritage resources. In its letter dated May 1, 2007 (Attachment No. 1), Heritage Oshawa supports the technically preferred alignment as it has the least impact on identified heritage and non-heritage properties. Public Information Centres were held by the Region and TSH in October, 2006 prior to the finalization of the alternative solutions phase and in April, 2007 to obtain comments on the alternative design concepts, their evaluation and the technically preferred alignment. The concerns raised by the public focus primarily on impacts to properties (e.g. loss of entire / partial property) and the neighbourhood (e.g. street access and park impacts). However, the Region and TSH advise that the public generally supported the technically preferred alignment. 5.0 ANALYSIS 5.1 Overview of the Class EA Study Process The Study Area for the subject EA is generally bounded by and inclusive of Gibb Street to the north, Olive Avenue to the south, Stevenson Road to the west and Ritson Road to the east. The EA process is designed to comply with the Schedule C requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment approved under the Environmental Assessment Act and includes a detailed public consultation component. The main elements of the Gibb-Olive EA process are being undertaken in five phases which are as follows: Phase 1: The need for additional east-west capacity in support of existing, planned and future growth in the Study Area was evaluated and confirmed. Phase 2: Various planning alternatives were identified and evaluated and it was concluded that a new, improved and direct connection between Gibb Street and Olive Avenue is the most appropriate solution for providing the required east-west roadway capacity to address identified corridor deficiencies. Phase 3 has recently been completed. Under Phase 3, an extensive list of alternative design concepts was identified and screened against the transportation, natural environment, engineering, and social and economic criteria to eliminate alternatives that were either not feasible or significantly less desirable.
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 4 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 Subsequently, a short list of route alignment alternatives (see Exhibit No. 2) was evaluated. This process culminated in selecting alternative E1-R as the technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection. The technically preferred alignment identified in Phase 3 of the EA study includes: - A symmetrical widening of Gibb Street, with a 26 metre road right-of-way from Stevenson Road South to west of Park Road South. - A reduced road right-of-way width of 19.1 metre in the constrained sections between Park Road South and Simcoe Street South. In addition, the widening of Gibb Street from east of Oshawa Creek to Simcoe Street South is proposed to be on the south side of the existing road alignment. - A new roadway connection of Gibb Street from Simcoe Street South through Barrie Street to Olive Avenue at Drew Street, with a 26 metre road right-of-way. In the constrained areas east of Drew Street, a narrower 19.1 metre road rightof-way is recommended. Phase 4 has yet to be completed and will include the following: - Conduct additional public and stakeholder consultation regarding the findings of Phase 3 in terms of the evaluation of the short list of route alignment alternatives and the technically preferred alignment; - Confirm the technically preferred alignment, as appropriate; - Prepare the Environmental Study Report (ESR); - File the ESR document on public record for 30 days with issuance of Notice of Study Completion; - Respond to any Part II Order requests; and - Comply with any Ministry of Environment (MOE) directives. Phase 5 is the implementation phase. In the event that Regional Council approves the ESR and a Part II Order is not issued by the MOE, the Region will proceed towards property acquisition, detailed design and construction presently scheduled for 2012. 5.2 Design Details of the Technically Preferred Alignment The design plan for the technically preferred alignment includes: Widened pavement along Gibb Street between Stevenson Road South and Simcoe Street South. A new 4 lane roadway connection of Gibb Street from Simcoe Street South through Barrie Street to Olive Avenue at Drew Street: - Auxiliary turn lanes to be provided at intersections with Celina Street, Albert Street, Court Street, and Ritson Road South. Widened pavement along Olive Avenue between Drew Street and Ritson Road South.
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 5 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 Improvements at intersections along the recommended Gibb Street Olive Avenue corridor including: - Realignment of the approaching throat of the intersecting roads to provide the appropriate geometry for the intersection; - Modifications to the traffic signals to suit the revised intersection configurations; and - Road closures and new road connections (e.g. Drew Street, Banting Avenue, Olive Avenue west of Drew Street, etc.). The implementation of the technically preferred alignment (i.e. E1-R) for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection will impact adjacent land owners, however, no significant environmental impacts are anticipated. Preliminary analysis indicates: West of Simcoe Street South, 9 buildings will need to be removed and an additional 48 properties will be partially impacted (e.g. requiring modifications to porch areas and stair cases); and East of Simcoe Street South, 20 buildings will need to be removed and an additional 18 properties will be partially impacted, including a small portion of Sunnyside Park. In comparison, the rejected short-list route alignment alternatives had the following property impacts: West of Simcoe Street South, alternative W1 would require 6 buildings to be removed and an additional 62 properties would be partially impacted (e.g. requiring modifications to porch areas and stair cases); East of Simcoe Street South, all of the evaluated route alignment alternatives had more impacts (all included the removal of the existing Polish Hall at 219 Olive Avenue) as follows: - Alternative E1-S [only partially shown on Exhibit No. 2 since it followed the technically preferred alignment (i.e. E1-R) east of Albert Street] required 26 buildings to be removed and an additional 12 properties will be partially impacted. - Alternative E2-N required 43 buildings to be removed and an additional 13 properties will be partially impacted. - Alternative E2-S required 48 buildings to be removed and an additional 14 properties will be partially impacted. - Alternative E3 required 63 buildings to be removed and an additional 11 properties will be partially impacted. The technically preferred alignment will require the Region to acquire approximately 0.18 ha (0.44 ac) of land in the southern portion of Sunnyside Park. The loss of this small portion of the existing Sunnyside Park will not impact the City s ability to meet the Official Plan standards for park land supply in the Central Community. However, certain park facilities (i.e. playground equipment and bocce ball court) in Sunnyside Park will need to be relocated.
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 6 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 5.3 Staff Position The recommended Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection will be a Type C arterial road and will provide a critical east-to-west transportation link. City staff concur with the need for a new and improved direct connection between Gibb Street and Olive Avenue and the technically preferred alignment. This road is critical to accommodating existing and future traffic flows and facilitating redevelopment. The technically preferred alignment for the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection is in conformity with the Oshawa Official Plan and therefore, no amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan is required for its implementation. Specifically, Section 10.1.2 of the Official Plan specifies that the location of proposed roads shown on Schedules A and B shall be considered as approximate. Minor adjustments to the location of these roads or land use boundaries defined by roads will be permitted without amendment to this Plan. 5.4 City issues that need to be addressed Recognizing that the technically preferred alignment has direct impacts on existing land uses and the local area road network, it is critical that the subsequent Environmental Study Report (ESR) for the subject EA provide more details regarding the following issues: Identify future vacant residual lands that will remain from properties that need to be acquired. Identify the recommended access strategy for properties fronting onto the technically preferred alignment, giving due consideration to acceptable crossing, stopping and sight line distances. Identify any potential realignment of the Michael Starr Trail, such as a potential crossing at the Court Street intersection, including costs. Identify costs associated with the relocation of any playground and bocce facilities in Sunnyside Park. Identify costs associated with remediation of any contaminated lands within the limits of the technically preferred alignment as part of the overall project costs. Provide details on any identified City road and intersection impacts including realignments, road closures and new connections. Identify a funding strategy to facilitate the implementation of any identified City road and intersection realignments, road closures, new road connections associated with the technically preferred alignment, playground and bocce facility relocations, adjustments to the Michael Starr Trail and land acquisition. Identify opportunities to accommodate cyclists. 6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The construction of the Gibb Street Olive Avenue connection is a project under the jurisdiction of the Region of Durham. The City s financial involvement will be limited to the construction of new sidewalks and the installation of street lights which are
Report to the Development Item: DS-07-144 Services Committee (Continued) - 7 - Meeting Date: May 28, 2007 expected to be funded through development charges. City costs will be confirmed during the detailed design phase. 7.0 RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN The Gibb Street Olive Avenue Connection EA advances Goal B (A Green and Sustainable Community) of the City s Community Strategic Plan by managing growth and using land wisely and improving transportation modes. Thomas B. Hodgins, B.E.S., M.A., RPP, Commissioner Development Services Department DSB/c Attachments
Exhibit No. 1 Subject Site N DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT City of Oshawa k:\exhibits\07may\exhibits\routealignex1.ai\14-05-07
Exhibit No. 2 Short List of Route Alignment Alternatives DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT City of Oshawa N k:\exhibits\07may\exhibits\routealignalt_ex2.ai\17-05-07
k:\exhibits\07may\exhibits\routealignex3.ai\14-05-07 Exhibit No. 3 - Technically Preferred Alignment (Stevenson Road South to Simcoe Street South) N City of Oshawa DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
k:\exhibits\07may\exhibits\routealignex4.ai\14-05-07 Exhibit No. 4 - Technically Preferred Alignment (Simcoe Street South to Ritson Road South) N City of Oshawa DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DS-07-144 Attachment No. 1 April 30, 2007 Timothy Oketch Totten Sims Hubicki 300 Water Street Whitby, ON L1N 9J2 James H. Garland 605 Rossland Road East PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Comments on the Olive-Gibb Extension Members of Heritage Oshawa (Oshawa s Municipal Heritage Committee) have attended public meetings and reviewed the proposed routes of the Olive-Gibb Extension in reference to the impact on Oshawa s heritage resources. Heritage Oshawa agrees with the study group and recommends Option ES1 be used as it has the least impact on identified heritage properties. The committee s concern is the number of heritage resources that are to be demolished. Heritage Oshawa would recommend that all options be explored to minimize the number of demolitions. Once the preferred route is established and the surplus lands identified it is our hope that the Region will explore the feasibility of relocating any of these buildings on to the surplus properties. Demolitions use up vast amounts of energy and take up space in our already strained landfills. Relocation makes financial and environmental sense. Sincerely, Rose Mary Mason Chair, Heritage Oshawa