Active Transportation in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Transcription

1 Workshop (Part 2) Meeting Notes Active Transportation in Niagara-on-the-Lake Meeting Date: November 10, 2015, 3:00 5:00 PM Centennial Arena, Mary Snider Room Present Councillor B. Disero C. Bottomley F. Racioppo Councillor J. Collard H. Washuta L. Hunter-Hope S. Randall P. Bergen M. Gaudet D. Kerr B. Nash S. French P Young (Facilitator) A. Soupault S. Hirsh-Kalm J. Gervais A. Jaeger-Friesen T. Balasiuk L. Gallant C. Bossio D. Rutt J. Pozzebon D. Pratt B. MacDougall Cathy Simpson D. Walker Purpose Review results of the September workshop (ideas and themes for active transportation improvements) Identify challenges and strategies to move forward on implementing ideas from the workshop The results will shape the work of the NOTL Active Transportation Advisory Committee Workshop agenda 1. Councillor Jim Collard welcomed the group of 26 people. Facilitator Paul Young (an urban designer with Public Space Workshop) reviewed the agenda and introduced people by affiliation. There was representation from St. Davids, Virgil, Old Town, Queenston, but not Glendale. There were NOTL Active Transportation Advisory Committee members, elected officials, staff, a school representative, business, cycling and walking enthusiasts. 2. Paul reviewed what came out of the last meeting (Part 1) including ideas for active transportation (AT) improvements and emerging themes. Refer to meeting notes or slides for this summary. Paul explained that this meeting was about developing strategies to implement the shopping list of improvement ideas. He provided some examples with slides (available through jackie.gervais@niagararegion.ca). 3. Small Group Discussions Participants worked in small groups at their tables. They discussed two questions: Question 1 Having reviewed the ideas and themes, what are some of the challenges the committee may encounter? Page 1 of 5

2 Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 2 Question 2. Looking at the list of challenges, how might the committee address them? Participants then voted on which strategies might result in quick wins. Groups recorded their ideas on paper and then presented them back to the larger group (transcribed notes are below). Emerging Quick Start priorities The large group discussed items seemed to be of higher priority. These were: 1. Participate in the development of several upcoming policy initiatives including NOTL s Official Plan, Niagara Region s Transportation Master Plan and a subsequent Transportation Master Plan for NOTL 2. Develop a communications strategy to promote active transportation in schools and community events (with sponsors such as wineries). The campaign should include information on safety and legal requirements for cyclists such as lights and bells 3. Develop a list of stakeholders to liaise with (e.g., Niagara College, schools, wineries, tourism, varying levels of government) 4. Identify shovel ready projects to be ready for future funding opportunities Transcribed meeting notes Below are the notes recorded by participants and posted up on walls for discussion. Stars (*) identify items that participants identified as possible quick wins. Table 1 Town/Regional/Provincial/NPCA/NPC/NEC/Parks Canada/Ownership Money Funding resources Timing (takes a long time to get stuff done) Physical obstructions Community not always on side NIMBY Need policy e.g., an AT Master Plan ***Include AT policies in the new Official Plan (immediate opportunity) ****Establish a Master Plan within the context of the NOTL Transportation Master Plan (first the Regional plan then NOTL likely in 2017) *Establish partnerships for funding projects o Region o Green Belt (willing to do engineering/design) o Province o Grants

3 Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 3 **Incorporate trail system plan into subdivision reviews and use development charges/park land dedication where possible *Begin the feasibility/design/engineering phase to establish shovel ready projects for funding ****Establish better communications for committee Council and residents (e.g., promote the benefits of AT) *Establish deadlines for success Review other successful communities (don t reinvent the wheel) Table 2 Committee must represent entire community; walkers, cyclists, assistive device users, seniors, kids, etc. Communicating policies and strategies (including education) $$ for initiatives Info sharing with other groups doing similar work Balance property owners rights with A.T. initiatives ******I.D. stakeholders and decision makers and organizations (NPC, etc.) ***Create on-line forums, presentations, etc. at local schools (to share the work of the committee and strategies) ***I.D. funding opportunities (e.g., grants) Table 3 Levels of government multi o Municipal Regional o Agencies Parks Canada NPCA NPC Geography and Distribution o 5 settlements and rural o Low critical mass o Different views in different areas Newcomers and lifelong residents o Changing demographics o Rapid Population Growth Infrastructure funding o Prioritization based on location / need Water Access

4 Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 4 ****Create liaison at various levels of government **Geography need reasons to go outside of one s own village New comers vs. lifelong o *AT Committee to visit group newcomers o * AT Committee to meet resident association o Pull together resident groups Funding o Grants/applications o Fundraising o Annual capital works **Waterfront work with Parks Canada / NPC Table 4 Identification of bike lanes, need to be marked, mark out walking lanes (crossings), paint new lines Responsibility for winter maintenance / policy for removal o Sidewalks priority routes old town, Queen St., NOTL Snowbirds leave (who will maintain?) Looking after what we have 2 meter wide bike lane challenge is parking vs. bike lane MAP Staff resources, e.g., map inventory current, future, Bruce Trail, hypothetical future (Four Mile Creek Trail) current opportunities Safety helping people understand how to be safer on the road and what is required by law (cyclists). Education for drivers and cyclists, enforcement Ask Operations o Paint symbols for bike lanes o Paint cross walks Need an understanding what kind of budget is available o Maintenance, painting, snow removal o To make new maps o Social marketing campaign to promote the culture of walking and biking also a cycling safety campaign Detailed o Cost/dollars o Authorize 30 hours in Town office for the current network map and proposed routes

5 Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 5 General Discussion Themes for quick starts were outlined at the beginning of these notes. Below are the details from that discussion: Could go to the Virgil Bike Rodeo to work with migrant workers on cycling safety ( the committee has done this) An idea for the bike lane vs. parking: one community had day time parking restriction so cyclists could bike during the day At the Niagara Economic Summit there was discussion of a hubs and spoke approach to the transportation plan we need to get involved in that process We need to connect to the college as well they are using a dirt path Look for corporate sponsorships such as wineries and Rotary for fund raising (the Committee is talking to some of them. We are promoting a Park and Pedal program). Wineries need to know that cycling tours often won t go to wineries without trails. The committee can tap into the energy of the other meeting participants for example, by creating a task force or sub-committee around a specific need. Some discussion about amending the Committee s Terms of Reference to allow that to happen. END OF WORKSHOP NOTES