1 Report to Rapport au: Transportation Committee / Comité des transports September 7, 2016 / 7 septembre 2016 Submitted on August 23, 2016 Soumis le 23 août 2016 Submitted by Soumis par: John Manconi, General Manager / Directeur général Transportation Services Department / Service des transports Contact Person Personne ressource: Vivi Chi, Manager / Gestionnaire, Transportation Planning / Planification des transports, Transportation Services Department / Service des transports (613) 580-2424, 21877, [email protected] Report Author / Auteur du rapport: Angela Taylor, Senior Project Engineer / Gestionnaire principale de project (613) 580-2424, 15210, [email protected] Ward: KANATA NORTH (4) / KANATA COLLÈGE (8): KANATA SOUTH NORD (4): STITTSVILLE (6): BAY (23) / KANATA-SUD (23) (7) / BAIE (7):COLLEGE (8) / File Number: ACS2016-TSD-PLN-0001 SUBJECT: Kanata Light Rail Transit Planning and Environmental Assessment Study (Bayshore Station to Palladium Drive) – Statement of Work OBJET: Étude de planification et d’évaluation environnementale pour le train léger à Kanata (de la station Bayshore à la promenade Palladium) – Énoncé des travaux 2 REPORT RECOMMENDATION That Transportation Committee approve the Statement of Work for the proposed Kanata Light Rail Transit Planning and Environmental Assessment Study (Bayshore Station to Palladium Drive), as detailed in Document 2. RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT Que le Comité des transports approuve l’énoncé des travaux pour l’étude proposée de planification et d’évaluation environnementale pour le train léger à Kanata (de la station Bayshore à la promenade Palladium), comme le précise le document 2. BACKGROUND On June 8, 2016, the Mayor and west-end Councillors, along with the federal Member of Parliament for Kanata-Carleton, announced that “the City will begin the planning work that is needed to extend light rail transit (LRT) from Bayshore to Kanata.” The full news release is available in Document 1. The announcement was made on the premise that the federal and provincial governments are committed to new investments in public transit given the recent funding of the Stage 2 LRT Extensions. In anticipation of the next round of government funding for transit, the City will undertake the study earlier than planned for the next phase of LRT beyond Stage 2. The Kanata LRT Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study project limits will extend from Bayshore Station to Palladium Drive. The study will be conducted under the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) Ontario Regulation 231/08 in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This report outlines the study scope with details described in Document 2. DISCUSSION An EA study is currently underway for the City’s Stage 2 Confederation Line West LRT Extension that terminates at Bayshore Station. West of Bayshore Station, the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) envisions an ultimate rapid transit plan that includes the Kanata LRT running parallel with Highway 417 between Bayshore Station and Huntmar Road, wherein it then heads south to Palladium Drive at the Canadian Tire Centre and the LRT terminus. For this 13 kilometre LRT facility, the TMP proposes eight stations, two of which are park and ride stations. Figure 1 illustrates the study area. 3 Figure 1: Kanata LRT Study Area Key considerations for the Kanata LRT Planning and EA Study include the following: Coordination with the current Confederation Line West LRT Extension Planning and EA study (Tunney’s Pasture to Bayshore and Baseline Station); Coordination with the West Transitway Extension (Bayshore Station to Moodie Drive) detailed design currently underway and in operation by late 2017; Station locations will be integrated with existing communities, planned uses, and will promote transit-oriented development; Review the need for and location of a maintenance and storage facility to support the Kanata LRT; A separate multi-use pathway within or adjacent to the LRT facility as per the Official Plan; Access or linkages to existing and planned pedestrian, cycling, and multi-use pathway facilities; Development of the project’s capital and operating costs; and, Provide preliminary construction phasing. This study is anticipated to take approximately 24 months to complete. 4 RURAL IMPLICATIONS There are no rural implications associated with this report. CONSULTATION Consultation with stakeholders, public agencies, First Nations, and individuals will be an integral component of the EA study and will involve meetings with key stakeholders through the Agency Consultation Group, Public Consultation Group, and Business Consultation Group as appropriate. Consultation with the general public will occur principally through open houses and also through the project webpage, e-mail, and additional meetings as required. COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S) Councillor El-Chantiry provided the following comments: “I support the Kanata LRT Planning and EA Study for the 13 kilometre extension from Bayshore terminating at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. Given the premise that the Provincial and Federal Governments are committed to new investments in public transit, the City should undertake this study earlier than planned so that we in a position to take advantage of the next round of government funding for public transit.” Councillor Qadri provided the following comments: “I support the City bringing the LRT to Palladium Drive at the current Canadian Tire Centre, however I would like to see that extended to the Palladium Drive and Robert Grant Avenue intersection. By bringing the LRT to this intersection it will ensure a future north-south connection for the LRT in the west end of Ottawa, an area which is experiencing rapid growth.” At this time, Councillor Hubley does not have any comments. However, once this item comes to Committee, the Councillor may have something to add. Councillor Wilkinson provided the following comments: “I fully support this statement of work with one suggestion – that consideration be given for a temporary stop to serve the Wesley Clover Park when major events are underway there.” Councillor Taylor provided the following comments: 5 "I am supportive of this much needed work to advance the extension of the LRT system to the Kanata and West area. While valuing the Stage2 plan that sees LRT end at Bayshore the ultimate benefit could be derived quicker by expediting the day when travellers make a car to LRT transition outside the greenbelt instead of at what will be a small footprint, high pressure point within it - namely Bayshore. Additionally, consideration should be given to relieving what will be a complication for west bound commuters to the DND campus at Carling Avenue. Making a rail to bus to shuttle bus transfer adds an additional level of complexity to the travellers’ trip. Removing one step (the BRT) as this extension would do would enhance the experience and entice I believe additional users. Finally, in my view, consideration should be given to exploring with the Wesley Clover Parks and NCC bodies the feasibility of an additional platform stop in an area aligned with their property. As a fast growing major event site, not reviewing the opportunity for a mass transit connection for events like concerts, festivals and shows would be an opportunity lost. With these thoughts in mind I am very supportive of this report and offer to assist staff with advancing this work to the benefit of our collective community." Councillor Chiarelli provided the following comments: "This study needs to be mindful of the fact that the Greenbelt’s integrity must be protected especially since its central objective has so far been achieved: it was created to prevent “ribbon development” of the capital and not to prevent growth beyond its limits. The Study should also promote multi modal access to LRT but, it should not lose focus of the fact that most will arrive at stations on foot, by bus, or by car and those connections should not be compromised significantly in favour of other modes of arrival, if the highest ridership numbers are to be achieved." LEGAL IMPLICATIONS There are no legal impediments to implementing the recommendation as outlined in this report. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS There are no risk management implications. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Funding to initiate this study is pending the approval of the respective project budget by Council, through the 2017 Capital Budget process. 6 ACCESSIBILITY IMPACTS The LRT facility and ancillaries will conform to City policies and provincial statutes regarding accessibility. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS The study will examine and evaluate the project’s effects on the social, cultural, physical, and natural environments within the study area. Appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and post mitigation environmental impacts will also be determined. TERM OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES The recommendation contained herein aims to support the following Strategic Directions adopted by Council: TM1 – Build a world class environmentally sustainable light rail transit system. TM2 – Provide and promote infrastructure to support safe mobility choices. TM3 – Integrate the rapid transit and transit priority network into the community. TM5 – Ensure reliable, safe, accessible and affordable transit services. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Document 1 Kanata LRT News Release Document 2 Kanata West LRT (Bayshore Station to Palladium Drive) Planning and EA Study – Statement of Work DISPOSITION Following Committee approval of the attached