Peter Lennie (P.L) – The examination was actually supposed to take place the week before, but was postponed due to weather conditions. The Hanlon EA did not look at the quality of life of the people on Niska Road.
Next Meeting
Niska Road and Bridge Improvements Schedule C Municipal Class
Environmental Assessment
Public Information Centre #1 Summary Report
City of Guelph
DRAFT
Distribution List
Record of Revisions
Introduction and Background
The City of Guelph has initiated a municipal class environmental assessment (EA) to consider improvements to the road corridor and bridge at Niska Road. The road and bridge are facing deterioration and require remediation or replacement to meet the traffic and safety demands of local and external residents using the corridor.
Method of Notification
The planning of intersection improvements is carried out in accordance with the Annex 'C' requirements (Phases 1 to 5) of the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Document (October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2014), which was approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.
Public Meeting Format
They were also encouraged to rank their preferred alternatives for the bridge and road and submit comments via the online survey. Copies of comment sheets received are available in Appendix D and online survey results are available in Appendix F.
Participation Levels and Summary of Comments Received 4.1 Stakeholder Comments and Results Received Regarding PIC#1
- Stakeholder Comments
- Stakeholder Ranking of Results of Alternative Solutions
- Stakeholder Preference for Road Alternatives
- Stakeholder Preference for Bridge Alternatives
- Stakeholder Preference for Intersection Improvement Alternatives For the Intersection Improvement, which will be considered during the design stages of
Of these stakeholders, 81 (27% of total) indicated a preference for the "Do nothing" option, 70 (23% of total) indicated a preference for the option indicated. In the online survey, the majority of respondents indicated a preference for the "Stop Sign" alternative.
Community Working Group Concerns Raised Regarding to PIC #1 Members of the Community Working Group were provided a draft copy of PIC #1 display
Online Survey Results
Concerns about the City of Guelph's shifting priorities from preserving nature to promoting growth/development. Support for the preferred options for roads and bridges was low at the time of the survey, with 67% of respondents indicating they did not support the alternatives.
Summary of Results
Preferred Alternative Solution as Per Public Response
Next Steps
Appendix A Newspaper Advertisement
CITY NEWS
See the video at guelph.ca/waste See the video at guelph.ca/waste
Park, Point, Space
Park
Space
Point
Unlatch the lid
See the video at guelph.ca/waste
Find out more at guelph.ca/waste
To line or not to line?
GET THE LEAD OUT!
Lead Service Line Water Filter
Rebate Program
NOTICE
Alternative formats are available upon request in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE
The environmental assessment is carried out as a Schedule C project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Municipal Engineers Association, October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011), which is an approved procedure under the Act on the Ontario Environmental Assessment. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record and published with the final environmental study report.
Appendix B Mailed Stakeholder Packages
The study team will then proceed into Phase 3 of the Municipal Class EA process where alternative design concepts will be identified and evaluated. Your feedback on the preferred solutions presented above is important to the study and is greatly appreciated.
Comment Sheet
My interest is: (please check all that apply)
The following is a list of alternative solutions for the Road, Bridge and Intersection. Please check ( ) your Preferred Options
How do you use this road corridor and/or how important is this road corridor to your daily commute.
How do you use this road corridor and / or how important is this road corridor to your daily commute?
Please complete this comment sheet online at http://guelph.ca/niskaroad or send it by email, mail or fax. Guelph, ON N1H 3A1 Tel x 2319 Email: [email protected] Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and.
Appendix C Display Boards
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Niska Road
Improvements
Public Information Centre #1
Welcome
STUDY CORRIDOR
MUNICIPAL CLASS EA FLOWCHART
Notify the public and agencies of compliance with the ESR and the provisions of Part II Order in the EA Act.
Municipal Class EA Process
We Are Here
Stakeholder Consultation Timeline
We are here
City of Guelph Official Plan: Schedule 9A
Study Area
As per the requirements of the Class EA process, this study was originally advertised as an Annex B. We recognize your concerns about risks to people and would like to note that one of the objectives of the EA will be to improve public safety of the road corridor. As part of the assessment process, the study team will conduct a desk review that correlates the noise generated by traffic, based on known and future traffic volumes, (based on MTO traffic noise protocols).
The Project Team will explore options for traffic calming measures during the course of the EA study. Although the upgrade of Niska Road between bridge and Ptarmigan Drive does not require an EA, it is included as part of the overall study and traffic analysis. The City's jurisdiction ends on the west side of the bridge, but the City is working with surrounding Townships and County to address design and safety issues on common and shared roads.
The city added a local task force to the process and has continued to reach out to key community stakeholders.
Community Working Group
Community Working Group’s Concerns
Existing Road Characteristics
Niska Street is currently classified as a collector street in the Guelph City Official Plan. The pavement on Niska Road between Niska Bridge and Ptarmigan Drive is approximately 6 meters wide, with a rural cross section. There is severely cracked pavement in both the urban and rural cross sections of the road corridor.
Existing Bridge Characteristics
Existing Traffic Safety Conditions
Existing Traffic Volume
Section of Road Average weekly 24
Average weekly 24
Highest weekday peak hour volume
Highest weekday peak hour volume
Cyclists
2431 2315 DRAFT 379 302 120
Existing Traffic Conditions
Niska Road Between Ptarmigan Drive and
Niska Road Between Pioneer Trail and
Travel Origin
Travel Destination of Trips
Niska Road Travel Survey
Purpose of Travel Total Respondents
Evaluation Factors Considered
Socio Economic
Cultural / Archaeological
CHER Report Summary
- Rare example of a style, type
- Yields information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture
- Character
- Linkages
- Landmark
- Existing Natural Environment
Despite the determination of cultural heritage value or importance, the Niska Road Bridge is not municipally designated under the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). A company should not have a negative impact on cultural heritage resources, and interventions should be managed in such a way that their impact is commensurate with the value of the resources. Where the nature of the undertaking is such that negative impacts are unavoidable, it may be necessary to implement management or mitigation strategies that mitigate adverse impacts on cultural heritage resources.
The Niska Road Bailey Bridge has cultural heritage value due to its original wartime structure and use. The study area is located within lands that have been identified in the City of Guelph OP as part of the Natural Heritage System, containing Significant Wetlands, Significant Natural Areas,. The habitat for wintering and movement of white-tailed deer has been identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) on the northern and southern sides of the Niska road.
The Salamander Road Mortality Inquiry, completed on April 8, 2014, concluded that Niska Road is not used as a migration route for amphibian breeding.
Species at Risk
Aquatic Environment
General Area Description
Amphibian Assessments
Aquatic Assessments
NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM
Viewscape: Existing Condition
Niska Road at Ptarmigan Drive
Puslinch Side Showing Bridge and Viewscape
Existing Conditions - GRCA Lands
Future Traffic Projections
Growth Eastbound
2013-2031 PM Peak Hour Traffic Forecast Niska Road and Downey Road Intersection
Problem/Opportunity Statement
Alternative Solutions for Road
Alternative Solutions for Bridge
Alternative Solutions for Bridge (Continued)
Evaluation Criteria
Natural Environment
Socio-economic / Cultural
Evaluation Criteria (Continued)
Financial Factors
Municipal Factors
Problem Statement
Evaluation of Alternatives for Road
Socio-Economic
Natural Environment B: Social
Technical Factors
Problem Statement
Evaluation of Alternatives for Bridge
Social Economic/Cultural Environment
Preliminary Preferred Alternative Solution
Niska Road
Niska Road Bridge
Other Considerations
A Glimpse into the Future Traffic Calming Options
Phase 3 Considerations -
Traffic Calming Measures
Next Steps
Invitation for Participation
Brad Hamilton, P. Eng
Leonard Rach, P. Eng
Appendix D Comment Sheets
Re:::: Low Road class EANiska Road class EANiska Road class EANiska Road class EA Leonard Rach. I live in the Kortright Hills neighborhood and would like to know the status of the Niska EA project. As a resident of the Kortright Hills area, I would very much like to be added to the Niska Road Improvement Project mailing list.
This email (including attachments, if any) is intended for the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Your comments will inform us about issues that are important to you regarding the Niš road improvement study. The City of Guelph (City) is in the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study phase for proposed improvements to Niska Road from the Speed River city limits to Downey Road, including improvements to the Speed River Bridge and the Niska Road Corridor in city of Guelph.
In Phase 3, the following design options for the Niska Road and Downey Road intersection will be considered.
3. How do you use this road corridor and / or how important is this road
My opinion, and that of some members of the business community in the study area, is that traffic lights on Downey and Ptarmigan would be preferable for the safety factor and especially because of the speeding problem now that the speed limit has been reduced to 30 km/h in the Kortright Public School area Hills.
Comments/Questions/Suggestions
Fw:::: Niska Road Guelph CommentsNiska Road Guelph CommentsNiska Road Guelph CommentsNiska Road Guelph Comments ____GaleJGaleJGaleJGaleJ Leonard Rach. The use of Niška cesta for cars is too important for people in the area of Niška cesta and the south. I just think it's important to get the trail open, because it's just as important to get to the trail on the east side of the river.
Re:::: Niska Road Improvement Comment Sheet Niska Road Improvement Comment Sheet Niska Road Improvement Comment Sheet Niska Road Improvement Comment Sheet Leonard Rach. Your comments will inform us about issues that are important to you in relation to Niska Road. The City of Guelph (City) is undergoing a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study for the proposed Niska Road improvements from city limits at Speed River to.
Downey Road, including improvements to the bridge over the Speed River, and the Niska Road corridor in the City of Guelph.
My interest is: (please check all that appty)
Please complete this comment sheet online at http://guelph.ca/niskaroad or submit by email, mai. The Ci$ of Guelph (ctty) is undergoing a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study for the proposed Niska road improvements from City Boundaries at the Speed River to the. Downey Road, including improvements to the bridge over the Speed River, and the Niska Road Coffidor in the City of Guelph.
RE:::: Low rd comments Low rd comments Low rd comments Low rd comments Brad. A copy of my email will add you to our Niska Road Project mailing list. Fw:::: wildlife conservation on Niška cesta Wildlife conservation on Niška cesta Wildlife conservation on Niška cesta Wildlife conservation on Niška cesta Sarah Draper.
This could be an interesting approach to addressing the concerns of wildlife being able to safely cross the Niska Road if it is widened.
BURNSIDE
The following is a list of alternative solutions for the Road, Bridge and Intersection. Please check (V) your Preferred Options
Repave Street - The sidewalk has been replaced, but additional • pedestrian-friendly facilities (ie sidewalks and bike paths) have not been included. Remove the bridge and do not replace the existing bridge - Niska • The road would become a cul-de-sac and all direct access. from the west across the Speed River will be interrupted. Replace the existing Bailey bridge with a new two-lane bridge. currently identified as the Preliminary Preferred Option).
The City of Guelph (City) is undergoing a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Niska Road improvements from city limits at Speed River to. The municipality is also considering implementing sidewalks and cycle paths on both sides of the roadway and the bridge. Repave Road - The pavement is being replaced, but beyond that, pedestrian-friendly amenities (i.e. sidewalks and bike lanes) are not included.
Remove bridge and replace non existing bridge - Niska • Road would become a dead end and all direct access.
