At the November 12th Regular Meeting of Council, Council approved Option 3: separated multi-use pathway (MUP) with one lane on-street parking, for Princess Street re-design between Fulton Ave - Main St MUP and Sixteenth Avenue.
Summary of Public Feedback:
- A total of 46 respondents participated in the feedback process.
- Option 3 emerged as the most popular, receiving support from 24 respondents. An additional four respondents expressed preference for either Option 3 or 4, bringing total support for the option to 28 out of 46. Option 3 offers a compromise between maintaining some on-street parking and adding a safer, separated multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. It was favored for its potential to support active transportation without significantly impacting parking availability.
- Option 4, supported by 8 respondents, was mainly favored for its focus on safety through reduced vehicle-pedestrian interactions. This option does not balance parking needs as well as Option 3. Option 4 respondents show support for MUP construction, bringing total support for a MUP (Options 3 and 4 combined) to 36 out of 46.
- Option 1, the Town’s standard local/residential road detail, was supported by 5 respondents, who emphasized the need for on-street parking as opposed to bike lanes. These respondents expressed opposition to bike lanes citing low cyclist numbers and/or concerns about funding priorities.
- An additional 5 respondents had no preference stated. They may have been aligned with Option 1 or wished to see the funds diverted elsewhere.
Recurring Themes in the Feedback:
- Balance Parking and Active Transportation:
- Residents valued Option 3 for preserving parking while adding a safe path for non-motorized road users. Parking concerns were particularly important for community services, such as churches and daycares.
- Focus on Safety and Accessibility:
- There was significant support for improving safety, particularly for children and cyclists. A common theme was the desire for physical separation between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists.
- Extension to Sixteenth Avenue:
- Multiple respondents advocated for extending the proposed improvements to Sixteenth Avenue, and even adjacent to Ranger Park, to enhance the Town's active transportation network.
- The concrete sidewalk between Fifteenth Avenue and Sixteenth Avenue was replaced in 2019; therefore, that block was not included in the original project scope -- thus the request to approve extending the project to Sixteenth Avenue as a MUP by replacing the sidewalk.
- Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits:
- Respondents emphasized the importance of tree preservation and enhancing the aesthetics of Princess Street. Some Princess Street property owners supported Option 3 only on the condition that no trees would be cut down.
- Active Transportation Advocacy:
- Residents highlighted the health and environmental benefits of active transportation, noting the benefits of reduced emissions and better air quality.
