DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Elizabeth Wimmer, Senior Planner, Urban Design

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2005-Mar-22

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Main Street Unionville South Streetscape Plan

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Development Services Commission Report dated March 22, 2005, entitled “Main Street Unionville South Streetscape Plan” be received;

 

THAT the Main Street Unionville South Streetscape Plan (Level 2), attached as Appendix A, be endorsed as the preferred streetscape design subject to an approved funding and implementation strategy based on the results of community input, and in consultation with the Engineering Department and Heritage Markham;

 

AND THAT the Engineering Department be authorized to undertake the detailed streetscape design and costing as part of the preliminary engineering design work for the Main Street Unionville South EA, based on the “Level 2 Streetscape Enhancements” as described in this report.

 

AND THAT the detailed streetscape design be funded under Engineering Department approved budget account nos. 083-5399-6124-005, 083-5399-5224-005 (total of $88,800) and from the Planning and Urban Department Design account no. 080-5399-6631-005 in the amount of $2,000.

 

AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to Development Services Committee in the fall of 2005 to seek approval for the road reconstruction and streetscape enhancements with the understanding that the project will compete with other projects from across the Town under the 2006 capital budget process.

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE:

To obtain Council’s endorsement of the proposed streetscape improvement concept for Main Street Unionville South.  Staff will now undertake detailed design for the purpose of cost estimate preparation.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Main Street South Environmental Assessment was completed in 2004

 

The environmental assessment for Main Street Unionville South was completed by Engineering staff in 2004.  The preferred alternative involves the narrowing of Main Street from the existing four-lane cross-section to a two-lane, urban cross-section, with turning lanes at Highway 7 and Unionville Gate. The cross-section provides an opportunity for on-street parking, bicycle lanes and an increase in the width of sodded boulevards on both sides of the road through the introduction of “bump-outs”in the existing curb lanes. Standard “Cobra head” style lighting is proposed under this budget.

 

On October 12, 2004, Council approved the staff request to endorse the preferred alternative for the reconstruction of Main Street Unionville South between Highway 7 and Unionville Gate/Enterprise Drive. In addition, staff were authorized to undertake the preliminary engineering design work ($38,800.00) as detailed in the Main Street Unionville Class Environmental Assessment Study. (Capital Budget Account # 083-5399-6124-005).

 

The proposed reconstruction of Main Street South has been included in the Engineering Department’s proposed 10-year capital program and is proposed to be included as a part of the 2006/2007 construction of the second phase of the Enterprise Drive extension to Kennedy Road as committed to residents in the area.

 

Phase One of the Main Street Unionville (South)/Hwy. 7 Streetscape Study is now complete

 

A number of years ago as part of the Capital Budget process, Council directed staff to hire a consultant to undertake a Streetscape Study for Main Street Unionville South.  On September 7, 2004 a report was taken to Development Services Committee to request the terms of reference for the Main Street South/Highway Seven Streetscape Study be endorsed.  The endorsed study is a two part study with part one identified as the completion of the Main Street South Streetscape design and part two identified as the Highway Seven Streetscape and Urban Design Guidelines. The public process for part one has now been completed. A preferred streetscape option is attached as Appendix “A”.

 

Main Street Unionville South – Preferred Option

 

Three streetscape options were presented at the first public information meeting, held on February 2, 2005.  The preferred option consisted of a reduced number of on-street parking spaces with emphasis being placed on the addition of sodded boulevards, street tree planting and decorative lighting.  The public suggested that the on-street parking spaces should only be associated with the new infill townhouse development on the east side of the street and adjacent to the existing chiropractic office on the west side of the street.

 

The second public meeting, held on February 17, 2005 presented the preferred option which identified twelve on street parking spaces, generous sodded boulevards, rolled curbs, decorative paving and a regular planting of canopy street trees alternating with the placement of decorative light fixtures. 

 

Proposed Streetscape Enhancements

 

In order to achieve the objectives of the Main Street Unionville South RFP, a number of enhanced urban design elements were introduced for consideration at the public meeting. The elements were introduced to support the objectives of the Unionville Heritage Conservation District Plan and to enhance the character of Main Street South as a principle street in the Unionville Heritage District:

 

1) Upgraded light fixtures   The public endorsed the introduction of “Heritage” light fixtures north of the Rouge River and the “Markham Centre Standard” light fixture south of the Rouge River. (It should be noted that the current ten year capital program for Main Street Unionville South provides only for standard “Cobra Head” style light fixtures.)

 

2) Street tree planting   Street tree planting was not included in the ten year capital program for Main Street Unionville South.

 

3) Rolled Curbs   Rolled curbs were identified to define the limits of the 12 proposed on-street parking spaces and driveway entrances in order to reinforce a continuous street edge.

 

4) Decorative Paving   The community recognized the impact of the detail, texture, colour and design that unit paving presents within the streetscape. The preferred streetscape concept identifies decorative paving in the on-street parking bays.

 

Unionville Heritage Conservation District Plan

 

The Unionville Heritage Conservation District Plan recommends the introduction of “Heritage Style” street-light fixtures throughout the district that are of a similar design to those found on Main Street north of Hwy. 7.  The District Plan also supports the use of rolled curbs (rather than full urban curbs), the introduction of large, grassed boulevards and street tree planting along with the reduction in road-right-of-way to a traditional, two lane cross-section.

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

 

Outlined below are the elements of three different streetscape enhancement options.  These options reflect the recommendations compiled from the two public meetings.  The Engineering work associated with Main Street South is estimated at approximately $650,000.00 and has been included in the ten year capital program for the years 2006 and 2007. This Engineering work represents the “Baseline Streetscape Enhancement”.

Baseline Streetscape Enhancement

The baseline enhancement provides the minimum level of streetscape improvements.  The improvements would include the following:

-Reduction in pavement from four lanes to two lanes

-Adjustment of curb layout

-On-street parking to a maximum of 12 spaces

-Larger sodded boulevards

-Standard “Cobra Head”style light fixtures

-Bike lanes

 

Level 1 Streetscape Enhancement

The level 1 streetscape enhancement includes the baseline enhancements plus street tree planting and an upgraded light fixture, to the Heritage light fixture. The Heritage light fixture is intended to match the fixture north of Highway Seven and is recommended to be installed to the south limit of the Unionville Heritage District (Rouge River).  We are recommending the Markham Centre fixture be installed from the Rouge River to Unionville Gate (Enterprise Drive).  This fixture can be deferred until development of the East Precinct proceeds, at which time the fixture can be paid for through the collection of development charges in Markham Centre.

 

Level 2 Streetscape Enhancement

The Level 2 streetscape enhancement includes all baseline and Level 1 enhancements, plus rolled concrete curbs and decorative unit paving in the on-street parking bays.

(It should be noted that residents participating in the study preferred this option.)

 

Level 3 Streetscape Enhancement

The Level 3 streetscape enhancement would include all baseline Level 1 and 2 enhancements, plus the provision of decorative unit paving in the boulevard area of private driveways.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

 

In order to properly assess the budget impact, detailed design work is required.  In order to be cost effective staff are recommending that the streetscape design work be undertaken together with the Engineering road re-construction design work.  The Engineering Department design budget account no. 083-5399-6124-005 ($38,800.00) and no. 083-5399-5224-005 ($50,000.00) will be augmented by funds from the Planning and Urban Design Department account no. 080-5399-6631-005 in the amount of $2,000.  Staff will report back to Council in the Fall of 2005 to present the detailed design and budget proposal, to be included in the 2006 capital budget process, prior to finalizing the tender documents for the road reconstruction.  The following is an estimate of streetscape costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preliminary Budget Estimates (The following general estimates are included for information purposes)

 

Baseline Enhancement

Budget established in the Ten Year Engineering Capital Program                        $650,000.00

For Road Reconstruction

 

Level 1 Streetscape Enhancement

Budget premium for Heritage Light Standards                                        $40,000.00

Street tree planting (58 X $480.00)                                                                   $27,840.00

Provision of topsoil and sod                                                                              $28,850.00

Total Level 1 Enhancement                                                                          $96,690.00

 

Level 2 Streetscape Enhancement (Recommended)

Budget premium for Heritage Light Standards                                        $40,000.00

Street tree planting (58 X $480.00)                                                                   $27,840.00

Provision of topsoil and sod                                                                              $28,850.00

Decorative Concrete Paving  for on-street parking areas                                    $25,000.00

Rollover Concrete Road Curb and Gutter                                                         $8,800.00

Total Level 2 Enhancement                                                                          $130,490.00

 

Level 3 Streetscape Enhancement

Budget premium for Heritage Light Standards                                        $40,000.00

Street tree planting (58 X $480.00)                                                                   $27,840.00

Provision of topsoil and sod                                                                              $28,850.00

Decorative Concrete Paving  for on-street parking areas                                    $25,000.00

Rollover Concrete Road Curb and Gutter                                                         $8,800.00

Decorative concrete paving for driveway entrances                                            $23,500.00

Total Level 3 Enhancement                                                                          $153,990.00

 

Other Costs (For Level 2 Enhancement)

 

Consulting Fees (Contract Administration of construction)                                 $13,000.00

Contingencies                                                                                                   $13,000.00

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Permits and approvals will be required from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority prior to the finalization of the streetscape design.

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Rolled curbs will be introduced at intersection crossings.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The provision of an improved streetscape for the Unionville Heritage District.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Engineering Department, Urban Design and Finance Departments have commented on the report.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Main Street Unionville South Streetscape Plan – Appendix A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

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