June 20, 2012
Public Information Centre No. 1 Shellard Lane Class Environmental Assessment from Colborne Street West to the west City Limit
In the City of Brantford
Brantford and District Civic Centre – Auditorium, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shellard Lane Class Environmental Assessment 2
Study Area
The Study Area extends along Shellard Lane, from
Colborne Street West to the west City limit.
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• Shellard Lane is a key arterial route servicing the southwest area of Brantford. Sustained existing and planned future urban growth has triggered the need for a Schedule „C‟ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to assess transportation needs along the corridor, to meet expected travel demand and maintain safe and efficient traffic flow through the area.
• The City of Brantford‟s 2007 Transportation Master Plan Update (TMP) recommends the widening of Shellard Lane, as well as on-road Bicycle Lanes and neighbourhood connections for walking and cycling trails.
Study Background
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Study Purpose: • To identify long term improvements for the horizon year of 2027 and
beyond, to meet the anticipated travel needs in the corridor.
Study Objectives: • To consider, evaluate and document improvement alternatives for
Shellard Lane, taking into account natural environmental, technical and
socio-economic factors.
• To consult with stakeholders to identify and resolve or mitigate issues of
concern.
• To meet the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment process to permit the City of Brantford to proceed to detail
design and construction.
Study Background
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Municipal Class EA Process
• Many projects related to municipal water supply, sewers and transportation
systems that are similar in nature, are carried out routinely, and have
predictable and mitigable environmental effects are investigated according
to the Municipal Engineers Association "Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment,” (October 2000, as amended 2011).
• The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process
categorizes proposed municipal projects according to their anticipated
environmental impact, and requires increasingly stringent review
requirements as the magnitude of the anticipated environmental impact
increases.
• This project will be conducted in compliance with Schedule “C” of the
Municipal Engineers Association "Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment,” (October 2000, as amended 2007).
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Municipal Class EA Process
Phase 1
Identify
and Describe
the Problem(s)
Phase 2
Alternative
Planning
Solutions
Phase 3
Alternative Design
Concepts
For the Preferred
Solution
Phase 4
Environmental
Study Report
Phase 5
Implementation
• Compile an
Environmental Study
Report (ESR).
• Place ESR on public
record for review for 30
days.
• Notify the public and
government agencies of
completion of the ESR
and of the Part II Order
provision in the EA Act.
• Proceed to construction of
the project.
• Monitor environmental
provisions and
commitments.
Problem Statement Preferred Solution ESR
Agency and
Stakeholder
Consultation
Agency and
Stakeholder
Consultation
• Identify reasonable
alternative planning
solutions.
• Evaluate the alternative
solutions, taking into
consideration
environmental and
technical factors.
• Identify a preferred
solution to the problem(s).
• Identify alternative
designs to implement the
preferred solution.
• Inventory natural,
social/cultural and
economic environments.
• Identify the impact of the
alternative designs after
mitigation.
• Evaluate alternative
designs.
• Identify a preferred
design.
We Are Here
Preferred Design
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The following reports will be
completed as part of the study:
• Traffic
• Stage 1 Archaeology
• Geotechnical
• Fish and Fish Habitat Assessment
• Terrestrial Ecology
• Traffic Noise Assessment
• Storm Water Management
Technical Studies
Study Background
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Existing Conditions – Land Use • The City of Brantford‟s Official Plan
designates lands within the study area as Residential (low, medium, high density), Institutional, Commercial, Parkland & Open Space, and Natural Areas.
• Land use between Colborne Street West and Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP) is Commercial (plaza) on the west side and Residential on the east side.
• Land use from VMP to Flanders is Residential and Institutional (Kingdom Hall).
• From Flanders to Conklin, land use is Medium Density Residential (condominium), Institutional (St. Gabriels School, Ryerson Heights School and Assumption College) and Commercial (Assumption Plaza).
• Existing land use south of Conklin is primarily Agricultural and Rural Residential.
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North of Shellard Lane Plan SOUTH-WEST AREA TRAFFIC ZONES
The North of Shellard Neighbourhood and Recreation Plan - 2011, supersedes the Official Plan land use designations, building upon the West of Conklin Secondary Plan policies and regulations to further illustrate the potential development form for the North of Shellard Lane Study Area west of Conklin Ave.
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Existing Conditions – Natural Environment
Designated Natural Areas: •D‟Aubigny Creek Swamp Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW), north of
Shellard Lane, occurs within the study area at Crossings C1, C2, C4, and
C5, with the largest area at C1 and the tributary immediately upstream of the crossing.
Aquatic Habitat: •The study area is located within the Grand River Watershed. D‟Aubigny
Creek Swamp PSW is a complex of wetland areas associated with
D‟Aubigny Creek and its tributaries. The wetland is the area near the
watercourse that is inundated by surface or groundwater frequently
enough to support vegetation typically adapted for wet soil conditions.
The watercourses themselves are not PSWs, but that they are
directly associated with the wetlands in the surrounding floodplain area.
Ecological Land Classification (ELC): •The majority of the area is cultural (planted, agricultural, residential,
commercial), however there are some natural areas and three deciduous
forested areas.
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Aquatic and Terrestrial Biology:
• Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) does not have any records of Species at Risk (SAR) within the study area.
• Barn Swallow (listed as Threatened by COSEWIC and SARO) nests were observed adhered to the inside of two culverts. An individual barn swallow was observed flying approximately 1 km east of the nests. An additional two bird species listed as Threatened by COSEWIC and SARO – Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark - were observed.
• The Monarch butterfly, listed as Special Concern by COSEWIC and SARO, was observed.
Existing Conditions – Natural Environment
• Butternut tree species are Provincially ranked as Vulnerable and are listed as Endangered by COSEWIC and have been identified in two nearby woodlots. The woodlots are outside of the immediate study area and no Butternut trees were identified adjacent to the ROW.
• MNR or Conservation Authority have identified no aquatic SAR within the study area.
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Existing Conditions – Natural Environment
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Existing Culvert Locations:
• C1- D‟Aubigny Creek (main branch of D‟Aubigny Creek is a permanent Coldwater Fisheries Creek. Crossing is 3.6 m by 1.7 m concrete open footing culvert.
• Unnamed Tributaries to D‟Aubigny Creek:
• C2
• C3
• C4
• C5
• C6 enclosed with in a storm sewer system
• C7
• C8 enclosed with in a storm sewer system
Existing Conditions – Natural Environment
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Existing Conditions – Archaeological
• The background research indicates that the study area exhibits
archaeological potential due to:
1. The presence of 120 registered archaeological sites within a one km
radius and nine (9) of these have been found within the study corridor;
2. Land within the study corridor is within 300 metres of historically
mapped and current tributaries of D‟Aubigny Creek, and
3. The study corridor surrounds a historic transportation route (post-
1858).
• A Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment is warranted for the study area
with the exception of low and wet terrain, excessive slope, and areas
where archaeological potential has been removed through
grading/construction activities and road construction.
• A Stage 2 Archeological Assessment will be completed at a later date.
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Existing Conditions – Transportation
• Two-lane arterial roadway, providing for access to
adjacent residential, commercial, and institutional
land uses as well as for east – west through
traffic.
• Existing roadway cross section is urban east of
Diana and rural west of Diana. Shoulder widths
vary, and are substandard west of McGuiness.
• Posted speed is 50kph.
• Shellard Lane is a bus route to McGuiness.
• Shellard Lane is a truck route.
• There is a presumed substandard vertical curve
west of Flanders.
• Operational issues include student drop off and
Pedestrian crossings at Assumption.
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The Multi-Use Trail and Bikeway Implementation and Design Plan (MTBIDP) was developed as part of the Brantford Transportation Study, and provided the initial Master Plan for a City-wide bikeway and trail network. At present, there are sidewalks from Colborne to Conklin. There are discontinuous intersecting routes to and from local roads.
On-Road Facilities: Existing adjacent on-road facilities are “On-Street Cautionary Connections” and are discontinuous, with varying lane widths throughout the study area.
Shellard Lane has proposed facilities identified as “Planned On-Road Bike Lanes” in the MTBIDP.
Multi Purpose Trail: Two trail routes pass through the Study Area, T.H.&B. Rail Trail and Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway (along VMP).
Existing Conditions – Trails & Cycling Routes
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Existing PM Peak
Traffic Volumes
Traffic Study Overview
Colbor ne St r eet
Conklin Road
VM P St r eet C
M cGuiness Dr ive Powell Road
St . Pat r icks Dr ive Diana Avenue St r eet B
St r eet E
M cGuiness Dr ive Flander s Dr ive St r eet A
St r eet D
95
80
95
80
95
89
1
80
13
6
30
79
95
80
13
7
80
34
65
29
9
37
68
94 120
29
95
80
30
14
101
9
14
18
16
32
67
3
2
45
4
6
1
88
8
2
34
70
41
5
10
5
16
190
77
34
4
15
5
1036
29
0
50 64
174
197
52
44
27
5
11
2
31
5
494
352
421
Shella
rd L
ane
Shella
rd L
ane
Shella
rd L
ane
303
372
199
265
80
95
80
95
80
95
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Colbor ne St r eet
Conklin Road
VM P St r eet C
M cGuiness Dr ive Powell Road
St . Pat r icks Dr ive Diana Avenue St r eet B
St r eet E
M cGuiness Dr ive Flander s Dr ive St r eet A
St r eet D
573
545
489
34
16
10
4
53
4
10
5 241
45
7 23
57
136
35
7
48
4
69 82
7
73
3
37
8
12
36
6
18 63
208 1
713 33
19
12
57
0
229
19
3
49
7
52
0
17
278
39
0
81
53 44
0 2
54 12
3
6
67
9
28
12
45
24
2
11
15
3 126 14
40
6
4
9 14
28 1
39
10
6
50
4
29
3
2
10
23
40
58
6
1 36
201
10
24
3
19
45
0
12
51
0
11
12
60 117 35
40
6
2
10 6
107 2
21
21
2
33
1
32 53
8
19
90
8
16
96 14
23
7
37
151
11
39
1
27
6
34
26
Future PM Peak
Traffic Volumes (Preliminary Data)
S
hella
rd L
ane
Shella
rd L
ane
Shella
rd L
ane
1,2
35
1,0
23
743
1,1
10
394
349
396
349
408
238
Traffic Study Overview
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Based on the review of existing and future conditions, as well as preliminary consultation with stakeholders, the following problems/ opportunities have been identified:
• Existing and future traffic congestion;
• Poor pavement condition in some areas;
• Lack of consistent accommodation for pedestrians and cyclists;
• Need for urbanization of the roadway;
• Traffic operations and safety related to access to residential, commercial and institutional entrances;
• Pedestrian crossing safety issues at Assumption College/Assumption Plaza, and
• Sight distance issue on Shellard Lane west of Flanders.
Need and Justification
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Alternative 1: Do Nothing
Alternative 2: Alternative Routes - Use of alternate routes to reduce background
traffic volumes.
Alternative 3: Widen to Three Lanes with Intersection Improvements.
Alternative 4: Widen to Four Lanes from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Conklin.
Alternative 5: Four Lanes from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Street C.
Alternative 6: Transit Service Improvements: Improve existing public transit
service within the City of Brantford to encourage a shift in modal choice from
automobile to public transit.
Alternative 7: Travel Demand Management (TDM): Shift travel behaviour to
reduce peak hour vehicular traffic demand, including increasing the number of
car-pool parking facilities, creating high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes,
flexible work hours and facilitating active modes of transportation such as
walking and cycling.
Alternative 8: Combine alternatives 3, 4 or 5, plus 6 and 7 to increase the overall
effectiveness of individual alternatives and reduce environmental impacts.
Planning Solutions Considered
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Cross Section Alternatives
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Cross Section Alternatives
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Cross Section Alternatives
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Alternative 1: (Do Nothing) will result in significant congestion and delays at the intersections along Shellard Lane in the future.
Alternative 2: (Alternative Routes) Not feasible as Shellard Lane is the only access, or most direct access for much of the area, and is the only designated arterial route.
Alternatives 3, 4 and 5: (Reconstruct and Widen Shellard Lane) These alternatives have the potential to address the identified needs, and are carried forward for further evaluation.
Alternative 6: (Transit Service Improvements) This alternative can be implemented with Alternatives 3, 4 or 5, but is not expected to significantly reduce traffic demands.
Alternative 7: (Travel Demand Management) This alternative can be implemented with Alternatives 3, 4 or 5, but is not expected to significantly reduce traffic demands.
Alternative 8 (Combination) Combine alternatives 3, 4 or 5 with 6 and 7 to increase the overall effectiveness of individual alternatives and reduce environmental impacts.
Assessment of Planning Solutions
The preliminary recommended Planning Solution is Alternative 8,
as it will address the identified needs while minimizing impacts.
Alternatives 3, 4 and 5 are carried forward for further evaluation
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Component Area of Study Alternative 3 – Three lane cross
section Colborne to Conklin
Alternative 4 – Four lane cross
section VMP to Conklin
Alternative 5 – Four lane cross
section VMP to Street C
Natural
Environment
Vegetation
Wildlife Habitat
Surface Water/
Fisheries/Drainage
Special Designations/ESA
Land Use
Pedestrian Facilities
Socio-
Economic
Environnent
Noise
Archaeology and Cultural
Heritage Resources
Access Considerations
Utilities
Construction Disruptions
Engineering
Factors
Safety
Travel Delay/Traffic Capacity
Cost
Other Compatibility with City Plans and
Policies
Preliminary Assessment of Short Listed
Planning Alternatives
Legend Most Least Preference
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Next Steps
• Receive public comments by July 6, 2012;
• Review and confirm Preferred Planning Alternatives and assessment
in light of comments received from the public and agencies to date,
and confirm or modify alternative;
• Complete Environmental Inventory;
• Develop Alternative Design Concepts;
• Complete detailed Impact Analysis;
• Develop proposals for mitigation of negative effects;
• Meeting with agencies and stakeholders;
• PIC No. 2 – Fall 2012, and
• Prepare and File Environmental Study Report late 2012 / early 2013.
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How to Provide Your Comments
• Complete a comment sheet
• By Mail
• By Phone
• By Fax
• By e-mail
Please submit comments no later than
July 6, 2012
Thank you for your participation!
Mr. Vic Bohdanow, P.Eng.
Public Works Commission
City of Brantford
City Hall - 100 Wellington Square
Brantford, ON, N3T 2M3
Phone: 519-759-1350 ext. 2249
Fax: 519-754-0724
Email: [email protected]
Mr. David Sinke, P. Eng.
Consultant Project Manager
AMEC Environment &
Infrastructure
3215 North Service Road
Burlington, ON L7N 3G2
Phone: 905-335-2353
Toll Free: 1-866-751-2353
Fax: 905-335-1414
Email: [email protected]