Five Year Sidewalk Infill Strategy 2022–2026

Staff Report

to
Transportation and Public Works Committee

Date:

September 14, 2021

Department:

Engineering

Subject:

Sidewalk Infill Program 2022-2026

Background

The City has an annual Sidewalk Infill program with a current budget of $300,000. Each year staff create a list of infill projects for Council consideration. The infill projects generally focus on areas that are creating more walkability or require short sections to connect existing sidewalks such as areas:

• near schools
• in the downtown core
• near Parks or trails

With the ongoing growth in the City, staff are receiving more and more requests for sidewalks. The purpose of this report is to present a possible rolling plan for the next five years that will enable additional sidewalks to be constructed with minimal impact to property taxation.

Commentary

Traditionally the Sidewalk Infill program has been funded through contributions collected during rezonings typically through the General Amenity Reserve Fund (GARF). This has limited the overall budget for this program since the GARF may be used for other City amenities as well. In 2021 the Sidewalk Infill budget was $300,000. The projects slated for completion in 2021 (listed in alphabetical order) include:

1. Atkins Avenue – Selica to Silverstone (east side of the road)
2. Goldstream Avenue – at 1074 Goldstream Avenue (completed)
3. Jacklin Road – Galloping Goose Trail to Colwood boundary on the east side of Jacklin Road
4. Millstream (Frontage) Road – Marlissa to Charmar
5. Millstream School – improvements on Hoylake Road and Treanor Road for pedestrian safety (completed)
6. Strandlund Avenue – multi use path to Selwyn Road
7. Walfred Road - #953 to #955 (see attached Figure 1 for current and future infill on Walfred Road)

New sidewalks on new or improved regionally benefitting roads can be funded through a Roads Development Cost Charge program and related bylaw. Examples of Road DCC funded sidewalks have included roads such as the West Shore Parkway, Leigh Road and Millstream Road.

Staff have prepared a preliminary list of projects for the proposed 5-Year rolling Sidewalk Infill Program. The list is subject to amendments each year based on what projects get completed, how they can be funded and if new areas are identified. In addition the cost to construct will vary every year, likely increasing over time.

The following list is presented in alphabetical order. Priority would be determined annually by Council during budget deliberations:

1. Bellamy Road (Bellamy Link to Treanor)
2. Claude Road – potential to be constructed as development proceeds
3. Florence Lake Road Citation to McCallum on the east side of the road (the opposite side of the road has the paved multi use trail)
4. Glen Lake Road (Alouette to Glen Lake Slough)
5. Goldstream Avenue between #973 Goldstream and Carlow Road (south side of Goldstream Avenue)
6. Goldstream Avenue between #498-#540 – infill to Colwood border as raised asphalt path until development occurs
7. Happy Valley Road #3418 to #3422
8. Hoylake Avenue (odd numbered home side of the street)
9. Jenkins Avenue – from Jacklin Road to Glen Lake Road (several locations have cash already set aside from development)
10. Langvista Drive – between #524 Langvista to Pacific Ridge (missing gap)
11. Latoria Road – in front of ALR lands (north side of Happy Valley Road)
12. Mount Wells Drive near Willway School (requires some additional investigation)
13. Redington Avenue (the north side from existing to roundabout at McCallum Road)
14. Selwyn (Strandlund to Mill Hill)
15. Shaw Avenue (950 Shaw to Setchfield Avenue)
16. Walfred Road – from #932 Walfred to Normark Place (gravel pathway until redevelopment)

Staff are recommending that some of the sidewalk infill projects on the proposed 5-Year rolling Sidewalk Infill Program would qualify to be added to the Road DCC program. This would give another option for funding them. The following projects would potentially qualify to be included in the Road DCC program:

1. Bellamy Road (Bellamy Link to Treanor)
2. Florence Lake Road Citation to McCallum on the east side of the road (the opposite side of the road has the paved multi use trail)
3. Glen Lake Road (Alouette to Glen Lake Slough)
4. Happy Valley Road 3418 to 3422
5. Selwyn (Strandlund to Mill Hill)

Recommendation (staff)

At this time staff are suggesting that Council receive this report for information and instruct staff to continue to expand funding options to maximize sidewalk infill in the City on an annual basis, including but not limited to:

• additions to the Road DCC program
• use of GARF monies each year as possible in that year
• use of Gas Tax monies each year as possible in that year
• applying for infrastructure grants

Legal Implication

None noted.

Financial Implications

The cost of the Sidewalk Infill program is anticipated to vary each year depending on the type of funds required to complete the annual projects list.

Options

That the Transportation and Public Works Committee recommend that Council:

1. Instruct staff to continue to expand funding options to maximize sidewalk infill in the City on an annual basis, including but not limited to:
   o additions to the Road DCC program
   o use of General Amenity Reserve Fund monies each year as possible in that year
   o use of Gas Tax monies each year as possible in that year
   o applying for infrastructure grants
   OR
2. Instruct staff to continue with the existing Sidewalk Infill program at an annual maximum budget of $300,000 funding from General Amenity Reserve Funds subject to approval annually by Council as part of the overall City budget.

Respectfully submitted,

Submitted by:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering & Public Works

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning

Concurrence:
George Henshall, AScT., Deputy Director of Engineering & Public Works

Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Concurrence:
Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence:
Marie Watmough, Acting Director of Corporate Services

:mm

Attachment: Figure 1 – Walfred Road Infill Diagram

Figure 1 — Walfred Road Sidewalk Master Plan and Schedule legend (as shown on figure):

• Developer to complete
• To be completed by City in 2021/2022
• To be completed by City in 2021
• To be completed by City in 2022 (temporary until development)
• Developer to complete

Legend labels shown on figure: Future Trail, Future Sidewalk, Constructed Sidewalk