Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Schedule ‘C’ Environmental Study Report for Kennedy Road Kennedy Road Environmental Assessment Study between Steeles Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive Regional Municipality of York March 2021 hdrinc.com 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300, Richmond Hill, ON, CA L4B 1J8 (289) 695-4600 i Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Disclaimer The material in this report reflects HDR's professional judgment considering the scope, schedule and other limitations stated in the document and in the contract between HDR and the client. The opinions in the document are based on conditions and information existing at the time the document was published and do not consider any subsequent changes. In preparing the document, HDR did not verify information supplied to it by others. Any use which a third party makes of this document is the responsibility of such third party. Such third party agrees that HDR shall not be responsible for costs or damages of any kind, if any, suffered by it or any other third party resulting from decisions made or actions taken based on this document. In preparing this report, HDR relied, in whole or in part, on data and information provided by the Client and third parties that was current at the time of such usage, which information has not been independently verified by HDR and which HDR has assumed to be accurate, complete, reliable, and current. Therefore, while HDR has utilized its best efforts in preparing this report, HDR does not warrant or guarantee the conclusions set forth in this report which are dependent or based upon data, information or statements supplied by third parties or the client, or that the data and information have not changed since being provided in the report. Any use which a third party makes of this document is the responsibility of such third party. Such third party agrees that HDR shall not be responsible for costs or damages of any kind, if any, suffered by it or any other third party resulting from decisions made or actions taken based on this document. hdrinc.com 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300, Richmond Hill, ON, CA L4B 1J8 (289) 695-4600 ii Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Executive Summary Introduction The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) is responsible for monitoring its transportation network and implementing required improvements in a timely manner. As such, under the 2016 Transportation Master Plan (YR-TMP), York Region’s transportation and roadway management strategies have identified future road network needs for Kennedy Road (Y.R. 3) from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive within the City of Markham. Implementation of works on Kennedy Road is scheduled to be staged over different construction years as per York Region’s 2020 approved 10-Year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program. York Region retained HDR to conduct the Kennedy Road Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to further assess the transportation needs. The study is being conducted in accordance with the planning and design process for Schedule ‘C’ projects as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA), Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) guidelines (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011, and 2015). The Environmental Study Report (ESR) documents the MEA Schedule ‘C’ Class EA process completed for the Kennedy Road EA study, summarizing Phases 1 through 4 of the MCEA Schedule ‘C’ EA process. Study Area Kennedy Road between Steeles Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive is a four-lane, north-south Regional arterial road located in the City of Markham. It continues as Kennedy Road in the City of Toronto south of Steeles Avenue. The Kennedy Road Class EA spans approximately 8 kilometres of this regional road and is illustrated in Exhibit ES-1. hdrinc.com 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300, Richmond Hill, ON, CA L4B 1J8 (289) 695-4600 iii Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Exhibit ES-1: Kennedy Road Study Area and Study Corridor Public, Agency and Indigenous Consultation Stakeholder input was key role in the Kennedy Road EA study. The project team engaged the general public, agencies, and Indigenous communities online, through mail and email notifications, and in-person meetings (Open House) to ensure opportunity for participation in the planning process. Key consultation milestones are provided in Table ES-1. Table ES-1: Key Consultation Events Consultation Event Date Notice of Study Commencement May 2017 Notice of Open House #1 February 2018 Open House #1 February 2018 Notice of Open House #2 November 2019 Open House #2 November and December 2019 Notice of Study Completion March 2021 hdrinc.com 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300, Richmond Hill, ON, CA L4B 1J8 (289) 695-4600 iv Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Communication with agencies, stakeholders, Indigenous communities and the public took place through: • Letters • Newspaper advertisements (Markham • Emails Economist and Sun, Ming Pao Daily • Meetings Newspaper, and Sing Tao) • Phone calls • Project website (www.York.ca/KennedyRoad) • Notices • York Region website (www.york.ca) • Online surveys • Digital advertisements (www.yorkregion.com) • Road Signs • Social Media (York Region Facebook, York • Open Houses Region Twitter) Residents living along the study corridor received mailed notices directly. Following the study commencement, individuals who expressed interest in the project and as requested, were added to the project mailing list (mail or email) to receive regular updates on the study progress. To maximize public awareness, efforts such as roadside signage, social media posts (Facebook and Twitter), and regular updates to the project website provided information to the “silent majority” – the members of the public interested in the project, but opt for a more passive role. Online feedback forms (online surveys) were available on the project website, which allowed individuals to remotely participate in the study. Stakeholders including adjacent residents, businesses, landowners, developers, community and interest groups, business associations, and educational institutions were identified through the Stakeholder Sensitivity Analysis and/or by requests submitted to the project team. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed comprising of representatives from York Region, City of Markham, City of Toronto, Metrolinx, Canadian National (CN) Rail, 407ETR, Ministry of Transportation (MTO), Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). TAC meetings were held to discuss input, concerns, and technical details at various decision-making points throughout the study. TAC meetings took place on June 21, 2017, January 11, 2018, and October 30, 2019. Individual agency meetings were held as required throughout the project including meetings with YRRTC. A Stakeholder Group (SHG) was also formed consisting of residents, representatives of resident associations, property owners, and commuters along the corridor who expressed interest in the SHG. Meetings with the SHG and project team provided a forum for focused discussion and to obtain feedback at key points during the study. hdrinc.com 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300, Richmond Hill, ON, CA L4B 1J8 (289) 695-4600 v Regional Municipality of York | Class EA for Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive Environmental Study Report Meetings with the SHG were held on October 24, 2017, January 11, 2018, June 20, 2018, and November 14, 2019. Indigenous communities were engaged throughout the study and were provided with study notices through regular mail and email, and follow-up phone calls. They were invited to participate in the study by providing input and feedback and review Open House materials available on the project website. Problem and Opportunity Statement There are opportunities to improve Kennedy Road between Steeles Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive for all travel modes – cyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and motorists. The EA transportation assessment confirmed the recommendations from the York Region Transportation Master Plan (YR-TMP), 2016 for the need for capacity improvements, continuous cycling and pedestrian facilities, and improved transit service along the corridor to support Kennedy Road as part of the Frequent Transit Network. It also builds on the transit supportive strategies as outlined in the Region’s Towards Great Regional Streets – a Path to Improvement in order to help encourage ridesharing and to be supportive of regional transit initiatives. These improvements actively support regional objectives outlined in the YR-TMP including, development of a world class transit system, creation of a road network fit for the future, and integration of active transportation into urban areas. A summary of the problems and opportunities identified for the study corridor are provided in the following table. The problems and opportunities identified will consider impacts to the transportation, natural, cultural, and socio- economic