The second Open House was held on June 18th, 2002 after the Executive Summary had been issued to Town Council and to Alberta Transportation. The recommendations outlined in that executive summary were intended to form the basis of the overall direction for the Draft Report, and the Open House feedback was required in order to ratify the recommendations.
Approximately 50 people attended the second Open House and considerable feedback was received in the form of verbal discussion and written comment sheets. While the general overview of the transportation plan recommendations was positive, there were a number of specific areas where residents and business owners had concerns and comments. The full list of written comments received at the Open House are included in the Appendix, but in general terms, the feedback was clearly grouped into three main areas, including the following:
· Traffic System and Road Network
· Parking
· Goods Movement
Highlights from the feedback in these three areas is summarized in the sections that follow.
Traffic System and Road Network
There were a number of issues raised related to the traffic system and road network, while the widening of Highway 12 (50th Avenue) received the most feedback. Most of the written comments were opposed the widening of Highway 12 through the downtown area on the basis of loss of revenue for the downtown businesses, parking availability, pedestrian safety, tourism, and increased speed and noise.
Considerable support was evident for the possible reconnection of C&E Trail, and as well, almost unanimous support was found to the issue of resolving the 5-way stop intersection design at 54th Avenue/53rd Street/C&E Trail. Comments in regard to the alternatives to 5-Way Intersection were wide spread as most were in favour of the recommended Option (Option 4), which included a cul-de-sac at 53rd Street south of 54th Avenue.
Many comments were received with regard to the need for signals at a variety of intersection locations; based on observed congestion. As well, considerable support was evident for the signalization of C&E Trail at Highway 12 instead of at 53rd Street.
Downtown Parking
The main issue regarding parking centered on the potential widening of Highway 12 through the Downtown area and the corresponding loss of parking that would accompany the widening. Points that were raised consistently on the comment forms were as follows:
· Removal of on street parking on 50th Avenue would have a negative impact of the businesses fronting onto 50th Avenue
· Parking is already difficult enough without removing parking spaces.
· Some residents felt with the removal of the on street parking a parkade would be an option.
· The loss of on street parking would impair access for the elderly and those relying on wheelchairs.
Goods Movement
Although several people mentioned the desire to reduce or eliminate truck traffic passing through Town on Highway 12, relatively few comments were received in regard to goods movement. This was most likely due to the greater concerns for the issues of the parking, the traffic system and the road network, rather than lack of issues. Key points are listed below, and the ambivalence of these comments was clearly understood by the Team:
· Goods movements should be put on a by-pass road.
· A by-pass around the town would have a large negative impact of the businesses on 50th Avenue.