Agenda Presentation: Key Questions Lots of opportunities to be - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Agenda

• Presentation: Key Questions

Lots of opportunities to be heard.

• Table discussions: Questions for the

technical panel üTechnical Panel Q&A

• Facilitated Q&A
• Wrap-Up – one-on-one

conversations with technical team

• 1. Why do we need an

environmental assessment?

A GROWING COMMUNITY

• Long term growth in Grimsby
• Planning for infrastructure,

including transportation

• Grimsby GO S

tation access

• Proactive planning to 2041: A

transportation system that works

PROVINCIAL PLANNING POLICY

Provincial Policy Statement, Growth Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan

Niagara Region Official Plan

Transportation Planning Policy Framework

Official Plan Amendment 13 Transportation Master Plan Town of Grimsby Official Plan

Livingston Avenue Extension EA

Official Plan Amendment 6

• 2. What are the issues we are

trying to address?

• 3. What happens if we do

nothing?

2041 Peak Hour Condition

• 4. What options did we

consider?

EAST-WEST CONNECTIVITY

• 1. Do Nothing (planned

South Service Road improvements between Industrial Dr. and Casablanca Blvd.

• 2. Transportation

Demand Management (integrated with all alternatives)

• Casablanca Boulevard & GO Access EA:

SSR widening provides short term capacity increase.

• Full build-out to the property limits between

Industrial Dr. and Casablanca Blvd.

• Traffic monitoring once the GO Transit

Station is operational.

WIDEN SOUTH SERVICE ROAD

WIDEN MAIN STREET WEST

• Significant impacts to

adjacent properties, including heritage properties

• Removal of street trees
• Transportation Assessment:

limited potential to improve east-west traffic issues

EXTEND LIVINGSTON AVENUE

• Solves east-west

capacity issue.

• Natural heritage and

potential archaeological heritage impacts.

• 5. Why are we considering a

road through a woodlot?

• Transportation

assessment need: east-west capacity

• Flexibility in the

transportation network

• Transportation

Master Plan – EA requirement

• 6. What about the impacts to

the Woodlot?

IMPACT TO NATURAL HABITAT

• Tree removal
• Species habitat
• Watercourse crossing

IMPACT TO TREES

• 364 trees ≥ 10 cm DBH
• Green ash, sugar maple, black walnut, large-tooth aspen and shagbark

hickory represent 259 (71%) of the 364 trees.

• 79% (287 trees) have a DBH of 10 to 20 cm.
• 3% (13 trees) have DBH greater than 41 cm.
• 36% (131 trees) of the trees inventoried are ash species.
• Of the 131 ash trees, 61% (80 trees) were assessed as dead or in poor

condition as a result of being affected by the emerald ash borer.

APPROACH TO MITIGATING IMPACTS

• Undertake follow-up studies closer to 2031 when transportation

need becomes apparent

• Design roadway to reduce footprint
• Develop Environmental Management Plan as part of detailed

design process, to reduce and mitigate impacts

• Develop Tree Conservation and Compensation Plans to limit

impacts of tree removal

• 7. What factors did we

consider in evaluating the

• ptions?

THE NEED: Transportation Factors

• Future east-west roadway capacity requirements
• Enhance GO Transit Station access
• Improve road network flexibility and redundancy
• Improve local community accessibility, continuity and directness to/from

downtown Grimsby

• Address safety issues
• Provide safe and efficient active transportation

THE NEED: Transportation Factors THE IMPACTS

Natural Noise Cultural & Archaeological Impacts Heritage Environment Construction Utilities & Air

$ Cost

Impacts Engineering Quality

ENGINEERING & ROAD DESIGN FACTORS

• 8. What is the outcome of this

evaluation?

THE NEED: Transportation Factors

Provide more east-west capacity GO Transit Station Access Improve road network flexibility Connect the community Address safety issues Support active transportation

ALTERNATIVE 2: ALTERNATIVE 3: ALTERNATIVE 4: ALTERNATIVE 5: ALTERNATIVE 1: Transportation Widen Main Widen South Extend Livingston Do Nothing Demand Management Street West Service Road

• Ave. to Oakes Rd.

LEAST PREFERRED LESS PREFERRED MODERATELY PREFERRED PREFERRED

yxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaWUTSRQPONMLKIHGFEDCBA

THE IMPACTS

Natural Environment Socio-Economic Factors, Cultural and Archaeological Engineering and Road Design Cost

ALTERNATIVE 1: Do Nothing ALTERNATIVE 2: Transportation Demand Management ALTERNATIVE 3: Widen Main Street West ALTERNATIVE 4: Widen South Service Road No Impacts Minimal to no potential for impacts Impacts to street trees Minimal impacts No Impacts No Impacts Property and cultural heritage impacts Property impacts No Impacts Some limited impacts Highly complex Complex, traffic delays during construction No capital cost Low cost High cost Moderate cost ALTERNATIVE 5: Extend Livingston

• Ave. to Oakes Rd.

Impacts to natural heritage Noise and traffic impacts; potential archaeological impacts Low potential for construction traffic delays High cost

RECOMMENDED – SHORT TERM NOT RECOMMENDED NOT RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED –

• APPROX. 2031

RECOMMENDED – WITH OTHER ALTERNATIVES

• 9. Isn’t this area in the

Greenbelt? Can you build a road here?

ONTARIO GREENBELT PLAN (2017)

• Section 4.2 of the Greenbelt Plan

provides a policy framework to guide new and expanded infrastructure facilities to serve the growth projected for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Expanded or new infrastructure facilities subject to and approved under the Environmental Assessment Act, are permitted within the Protected Countryside.

• 10. Who makes the final

decision?

LIVINGSTON AVENUE EXTENSION CONSULTATION

• Background

Studies

• Review and

document existing conditions Consider ways to:

• Improve east-west traffic

capacity

• Provide improved network

connectivity

• Evaluate alternatives
• Identify the preferred alternative
• Identify impacts and mitigation measures
• Complete an Environmental Study Report for

public review

WE ARE HERE

MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS NEXT STEPS

• Public comments can be submitted to the Ministry and Region during the public

review period, including a Part II Order request.

FUTURE CONSTRUCTION APPROVAL PROCESS

• Regional Council has the authority to approve budget related to EA

approved transportation infrastructure design and construction.