Prepared For: Shieldbay Developments Inc. c/o Matson, McConnell Ltd. 2430A Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M6S 1P9 Prepared By: URS Canada Inc. 4 th Floor, 30 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 4N4 33017369.T0200
November 29, 2013 Our Ref.: 33017369.T0200 Shieldbay Developments Inc. c/o Matson McConnell Ltd. 2430A Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M6S 1P9 Attention: Mr. Chris Matson Dear Mr. Matson: Re: Transit Facilities Plan Draft Plan of Subdivision Shieldbay Developments Inc. Northeast Quadrant of Dundas Street and Postridge Drive Town of Oakville, Regional Municipality of Halton URS Canada Inc. is pleased to submit our report for the above noted Transit Facilities Plan in support of Draft Plan of Subdivision application. This report documents the transit requirements for the proposed Shieldbay development situated on the parcel of land on the northeast quadrant of the Dundas Street and Postridge Drive intersection in the Town of Oakville. Should you have any questions regarding the study, please feel free to contact either of the undersigned at 905-882-4401. Yours very truly, URS CANADA INC. Kevin I. Phillips, P.Eng., AVS Head, Municipal Transportation Tia Nguyen, P. Eng. Transportation Engineer 2
Prepared For: Shieldbay Developments Inc. c/o Matson, McConnell Ltd. 2430A Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M6S 1P9 Prepared By: URS Canada Inc. 4 th Floor, 30 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 4N4 33017369.T0200
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction... 2 2.0 Development Plan... 3 2.1 Development Context... 3 2.2 Road Network Configuration... 3 3.0 Transit Facilities... 5 3.1 Existing Transit Facilities... 5 3.2 Planned Transit Facilities... 7 3.3 Pedestrian and Cycling Connections to Transit Routes... 7 4.0 Transit Facilities Design Criteria and Plan... 9 4.1 Transit Corridor Cross-section Design... 9 4.2 Transit Stops... 9 4.3 Transit Stop Locations... 10 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations... 11 LIST OF TABLES Table 4-1: Transit Corridors Proposed Design Criteria... 9 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1: Development Concept Plan and Site Location... 2 Figure 1-2: Development Draft Plan of Subdivision... 4 Figure 3-1: Oakville Transit Routes... 6 Figure 3-2: GO Transit Routes... 6 Figure 4-1: Draft North Oakville East Trails Plan... 8 Ref #: 33017369.T0200 i
1.0 INTRODUCTION URS Canada Inc. was retained by Shiedlbay Developments Inc. to prepare a Transit Facilities Plan in support of a Draft Plan of Subdivision application. The proposed Shieldbay development is located in the northeast quadrant of the Dundas Street East and Postridge Drive intersection in the Town of Oakville. The lands are proposed primarily for residential uses with a mix of urban core and institutional land uses. The location of these lands is illustrated in Figure 1-1. Figure 1-1: Development Concept Plan and Site Location Note: Not to scale 2
2.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2.1 Development Context The Draft Plan of Subdivision for Shieldbay development is illustrated in Figure 1-2. The proposed development is one of the blocks to be developed in the surrounding area (named the North Oakville East Secondary Plan by the Town of Oakville) bounded by 407 ETR to the north, Dundas Street to the south, Sixteen Mile Creek to the west and Ninth Line to the east. The ultimate North Oakville community is targeted to have a future population of 55,000 and employment of 35,000. The Town s planning approach in North Oakville is to develop a Transit-First community. The planning related attributes within the North Oakville lands that promote non-auto travel include consolidated mixed-use development in compact urban form, transit supportive land use densities, a pedestrian/cyclist friendly grid base street system, as well as effective parking management strategies within the community. Within the North Oakville Secondary Plan Area, the Sheildbay lands are generally bounded by Natural Heritage System lands to the north, Dundas Street to the south, 8 th Line to the east, and Postridge Drive to the west. Generally, in the vicinity of the study area, the lands are primarily residential uses, with Dundas Urban Core uses adjacent to Dundas Street, and Trafalgar Urban Core uses on adjacent lots to the west. It is proposed to develop a total of 520 low and medium density residential dwelling units on the subject lands (343 single family homes, 84 semi-detached homes, and 93 townhomes). Lands at the southern limits are designated part of the Dundas Street Urban Core Area for mixed uses (potential for a mix of residential and commercial uses, and/or office uses) with a total area of 2.343 ha. Also, there is a significant amount of lands located within the Town s Natural Heritage System (NHS) at the north limits. A school is also proposed with a total area of 1.854 ha. to accommodate future residents. 2.2 Road Network Configuration Within the study area, three external access points are provided along Dundas Street and include: Dundas Street / Postridge Drive (signalized); Dundas Street / Eighth Line (signalized); and Dundas Street / Street D (unsignalized). Additionally, access to Trafalgar Road is available once the Dundas Trafalgar Inc. lands (to the west of Postridge Drive) are developed with connections via Street B and Street C (refer to Figure 1-2). 3
Figure 1-2: Development Draft Plan of Subdivision Note: Not to scale 4
3.0 TRANSIT FACILITIES The development and configuration of the road network within the North Oakville lands is intended to be supportive of alternative travel modes, including transit. Local transit routes within the North Oakville lands are concentrated along the key east-west and north-south corridors. The transit routing is complimented with a comprehensive network of sidewalks and bicycle connections throughout the community, to facilitate walking and cycling to transit stops. This includes sidewalks on both sides of all streets and multi-use path or trail connections to link adjacent sidewalks. Based on the Transportation Plan in the Town of Oakville s Secondary Plan Transit Plan (August 2009), the proposed transit corridors within the study area are illustrated in Figure A1 of Appendix A and include: Trafalgar Road It is a designated Major Arterial road, which provides Primary Transit Corridor Service. Trafalgar Road will be widened to six lanes with provisions for designated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes in the near future; Dundas Street It is a designated Major Arterial road, which provides Primary Transit Corridor Service with high frequency service. It provides connections within Oakville, as well as intermunicipal connections and connections to inter-regional network of services. Dundas Street is currently being widened to six lanes with provision for BRT lanes in the near future; Eighth Line It is designated Collector road, which provides Secondary Transit Corridor Service. Postridge Drive It is a designated Collector road, which provides Community Transit Corridor Service south of Dundas Street and proposed community service north of Dundas Street; 3.1 Existing Transit Facilities Oakville Transit In the immediate vicinity of the study area, Oakville Transit provides bus service via Route #20 (Northridge). Route #20 provides north-south transit service along Dundas Street, and loops around Postridge Drive, and North Ridge Trail. It provides headways of 30 minutes during the weekday peak hours, and 60 minutes during the weekend peak hours. The transit route connects to Oakville GO Station and Uptown Core Bus Terminal. Figure 3-1 illustrates the existing Oakville Transit Service. GO Transit GO Transit provides transit service via the following routes: Route #20 (Milton/Oakville) to/from Milton station from/to Oakville station from Monday to Friday, with a commuter carpool lot located in the northwest quadrant of the 407 ETR and Trafalgar Road interchange. During the weekday a.m. peak hours, it provides one-way service along Trafalgar Road with 60-minute headways from Milton GO Station to Oakville GO Station. During the weekday p.m. peak hours, it provides one-way service with 60-minute headways from the Oakville GO Station to the Milton GO Station. 5
Route #46 (407 West) provides service to/from Oakvile GO Station from/to York University with frequency of 30-minutes during the weekday peak hours. Figure 3-2 illustrates the existing GO Transit services. Figure 3-1: Oakville Transit Routes 1 Site Location Figure 3-2: GO Transit Routes 2 Site Location 1 Source: http://www.oakvilletransit.ca/schedules-and-maps.html, accessed September 27, 2013. 2 Source: http://www.gotransit.com/timetables/en/schedules/full_schedules.aspx, accessed September 27, 2013. 6
3.2 Planned Transit Facilities Dundas Street Bus Rapid Transit Halton Region, City of Burlington, and the Town of Oakville are currently undergoing separate studies to consider Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) through Burlington and Oakville along Dundas Street (Brant Street to Trafalgar Road) and Trafalgar Road (Cornwall Road to 407 ETR). The focus of these studies is to provide opportunities for a development of multi-modal transportation systems along the Dundas Street and Trafalgar Road corridors. The study also provides an opportunity to enhance corridors for pedestrians and cyclists. Proposed infrastructure improvements will include exclusive curb bus rapid transit lanes along Dundas Street from Brant Street to Trafalgar Road, and Trafalgar Road from Oakville GO Station to 407 ETR carpool lot. Based on the Trafalgar BRT Corridor Study, potential far-side curb BRT stations are identified along the east and west sides of Trafalgar Road at Street B within the study area. Further, based on the Dundas BRT Corridor Study, a potential BRT station is identified at the Uptown Core Bus Terminal. 3.3 Pedestrian and Cycling Connections to Transit Routes Pedestrian Facilities A comprehensive network of sidewalks and sidewalk connections is proposed to provide for convenient movement throughout the North Oakville Secondary Plan area. Sidewalk connections should also be incorporated to link sidewalks to paths and other walkways at notable sites, open space areas, as well as the Town s Natural Heritage System. The community is configured to provide pedestrian access to pedestrian and transit routes. It is desirable to provide pedestrian connections or openings to transit routes along arterial roads every 250 metres. Based on the Draft North Oakville East Trails Plan (dated October, 2012) a trail network was proposed within the North Oakville lands. The trail network will centre on the main Natural Heritage System corridor, and comprises of north-south/east-west Major Trails. Figure 4-1 illustrates the Conceptual North Oakville Trails and Cycling Network. Within the Shieldbay Development lands, a functional pedestrian sidewalk network will be provided to complement the North Oakville East Trails, and enhance pedestrian connectively and safety. Pedestrian sidewalks are generally proposed within the study area based on the following principles: Pedestrian sidewalks will be provided on both sides along Avenue/Transit Corridor and Connector/Transit Corridor roads; Pedestrian sidewalks will be provided on both sides along local residential roads; Connections between the pedestrian sidewalk network and the Town s trail system will be provided with reasonable spacing. Figure A2 of Appendix A illustrates the proposed pedestrian sidewalk network within the study area. 7
Figure 4-1: Draft North Oakville East Trails Plan 3 Site Location Cycling Facilities A comprehensive cycling plan for the North Oakville Secondary Plan area will improve the safety and attractiveness of cycling as an alternative travel mode. The Town of Oakville has prepared a Draft North Oakville East Trails Plan (dated October, 2012), which identifies comprehensive cycling (on- and offroad) and sidewalk networks. Based on the Draft North Oakville East Trails Plan, the conceptual bicycle network within the study area includes: Trafalgar Road It is a designated Regional Bicycle Facility; Dundas Street It is a designated Regional Bicycle Facility; The east/west and north/south Major Trail (off road) within the Natural Heritage Area; Street B It is a designated Signed Bike Route (on-road) between Postridge Drive and Eighth Line; and Street C It is a designated Signed Bike Route (on-road) between Postridge Drive and Eighth Line; Figure A3 of Appendix A illustrates the proposed bicycle plan within the study area. 3 Source: North Oakville Trails Plan East & West Study Areas, Town of Oakville, October 2012, accessed September 15, 2013. 8
4.0 TRANSIT FACILITIES DESIGN CRITERIA AND PLAN 4.1 Transit Corridor Cross-section Design The design of the Major Arterial/Transit Corridors (i.e. Trafalgar Road and Dundas Street) will be identified based on the findings of the currently on-going Environmental Assessment Study (Trafalgar Road). Table 1 summarizes the proposed design criteria of the Avenue and Connector Transit Corridors within the study area based on the Town s requirements. Table 4-1: Transit Corridors Proposed Design Criteria Street B Street A & Street C Road Type: Avenue/Transit Corridor Connector/Transit Corridor Type of Urban Area: Neighbourhood Centre General Urban & Suburban Neighbourhoods Lane Pattern: 2.25 m parking 4.0 m x 2 2.25 m parking 3.75 m 3.50 m 2.25 m parking FOC* to FOC: 12.5 m 9.50 m R.O.W.: 22.0 m 19.0 m Sidewalk: Both Sides Both Sides Cycling Facility: - Signed Bike Route * FOC - Face of Curb 4.2 Transit Stops According to the Town of Oakville s Transit Plan (August 2009) and the North Oakville Secondary Plan Transit Plan Developer s Toolkit, local transit routes provide coverage such that most residences, and all schools, neighbourhood centres and public facilities are within a walking distance of no more than 400 metres of a bus stop. Bus stops should be placed at most intersections along the routes, passenger generators, and transfer points. Bus stop spacing should be approximately 250-300 metres (not less than 200 metres). It is also noted that transit stop spacing along transit routes is typically 250 metres. The following are transit stop types based on customer needs, and will be determined through warrants outlined in Oakville s Toolkit and include: Stop A - Will be a sheltered Info stop, with a bench, shelter, lighting, power pedestal and wheelchair landing pad; Stop B - Will be an Info stop with a bench, lighting, power pedestal and wheelchair landing pad; Stop C - Will be a Comfort stop with a bench and wheelchair landing pad; and Stop D - Will be a Basic stop implemented at the maximum spacing of 250 metres along a transit route. 9
4.3 Transit Stop Locations Based on the criteria as stated in Section 4.2 Transit Stops, as well as a review of the Draft Plan of Subdivisions, transit stops are strategically proposed within the study area. The following is a summary of the proposed transit stop locations: Street A / Dundas Street Stop C Comfort; Street A / Street H Stop D Basic; Street A / Street B Stop C Comfort; Street A / Street C Stop D Basic; Street B / Street A Stop C Comfort; Street B / Street C Stop C Comfort; Street C / 8 th Line Street C Comfort; and Street C / Street B - Street C Comfort; Figure A4 of Appendix A illustrates the proposed transit stop locations and types. It should be noted that these are preliminary locations for consideration, the stop locations and types should be reviewed when the ultimate transit routing plan is available given that some of the stops may not be required due to the potential for consolidated stops. 10
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In summary, the configuration of the road network and proposed infrastructure within the Shieldbay development accommodate alternative travel modes (i.e. transit, walking, and cycling). Local transit routes provide coverage such that most residences, neighborhood centres, and public facilities will be within a reasonable walking distance of a bus stop. The proposed development is supported by transit routes complimented with a comprehensive network of sidewalks and bicycle connections throughout the community to facilitate walking and cycling to transit stops. This includes sidewalks on both sides of all streets and multi-use path or trail connections to link the adjacent sidewalks. Providing convenient street-side bicycle lockup/locker facilities throughout the Urban Core Areas will amend the safety and attractiveness of alternative travel modes. It is envisioned that higher non-auto mode splits for the North Oakville lands can be achieved as there is a comprehensive network of sidewalks and cycling facilities, transit services, Bus Rapid Transit lanes on the arterial corridors. Also, there are planning related attributes of the North Oakville lands that promote non-auto travel, such as consolidated mixed-use development in compact urban form, transit supportive land use densities, a pedestrian/cyclist friendly grid base street system, as well as effective parking management strategies within the community. 11
APPENDIX A Figures
Figure A1: North Oakville Transit Plan Source: Town of Oakville North Secondary Plan Transit Plan, Town of Oakville, August 2009