Supplementary Agenda of City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Item No. 11

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 3

26/4/2017

REPORT TITLE: Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling Project - Request to Modify Design to Remove Pedestrian Crossing

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Traffic Engineering

Director City Infrastructure

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report was listed for consideration at the Council meeting of 3 April 2017, however the Council resolved to defer it to a future meeting.

1.2. The report is now resubmitted for consideration, and the purpose of this report is to give consideration to a modification to the design of Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling Project following a request from the owners of the Riverview Inn (located at 795 Sandy Bay Road).

2. Report Summary

2.1. Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling project extends from Wayne Avenue to the City’s southern boundary with Kingborough, and involved the marking of painted bike lanes on Sandy Bay Road, a section of road widening, road and footpath surface improvements, changes to on‑street parking and the construction of a number of pedestrian crossing points and refuges.

2.2. The design of this stage of the project was approved by the Council at its meeting held on 7 September 2015. In February 2016, the Council declined a previous request to modify the design of the project near 896 Sandy Bay Road to retain on‑street parking in order to ensure continuous bike lanes.

2.3. The owners of the Riverview Inn at 795 Sandy Bay Road have written to the Council asking that the continuation of the footpath and pedestrian refuge proposed to be constructed near the property not be installed. A copy of their letter is provided as Attachment A to this report.

2.4. Subsequent to receipt of this letter, the footpath and pedestrian refuge works immediately adjacent to 795 Sandy Bay Road were put on hold to allow for the request to be considered by the Council’s City Infrastructure Committee and then to full Council.

2.5. The construction of Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling project is now substantially complete.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The design for Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling Project, as approved by the Council at its meeting of 7 September 2015, not be modified and accordingly, the footpath and pedestrian refuge be constructed near 795 Sandy Bay Road.

2. The owners of the Riverview Inn at 795 Sandy Bay Road be advised of the Council’s decision.

4. Background

4.1. At its meeting held on 7 September 2015, the Council resolved, inter alia, the following:

“That: 1. The design for the Sandy Bay Cycling and Walking Project – Stage 3, which is generally in accordance with the plans marked as Attachment C to Supplementary item 12 of the Open City Infrastructure Committee agenda of 26 August 2015, be approved with a view to implementing the project in the 2015/2016 financial year.

(i) The project, estimated at a cost of $1.2 million be funded from the Roads to Recovery Program.

2. The Council support further consultation with residents to progress additional design in order to provide a pedestrian crossing at 745 Sandy Bay Road, and a footpath link between 749 and 755 Sandy Bay Road.

(ii) Council officers consult further with the owner of 896 Sandy Bay Road.

3. Residents and businesses in Sandy Bay Road (between Wayne Avenue and the southern municipal boundary with Kingborough), and the Hobart Bicycle Advisory Committee be advised of the Council’s decision.”

4.2. At the time of writing this report the construction of Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling project is substantially complete.

4.3. In relation to Item 2, further work has been undertaken to investigate the feasibility of the footpath link and pedestrian crossing. The footpath link between 749 and 755 Sandy Bay Road is not being progressed further at this time, due to landownership constraints and the additional crossing at 745 Sandy Bay Road could not be provided due to limited space within the road reservation.

4.4. With reference to Item 2(ii) of the resolution, a further report was considered at the meeting held on 9 February 2016, and the Council resolved, inter alia, the following:

“That: 1. The design for Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling Project, as approved by the Council at its meeting of 7 September 2015, not be modified and accordingly, no additional parking near 896 Sandy Bay Road be provided.

2. The residents of 896 Sandy Bay Road be advised of the Council’s decision.”

4.5. During construction of Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling project, concern was raised by the owners of 795 Sandy Bay Road (known as the Riverview Inn) regarding the construction of a footpath and a pedestrian refuge island adjacent to their property. These concerns were documented in a letter dated 9 November 2016, included as Attachment A to this report.

4.6. Subsequent to receipt of this letter, the footpath and pedestrian refuge works immediately adjacent to 795 Sandy Bay Road were put on hold to allow for the request to be considered by the Council’s City Infrastructure Committee and then to full Council.

4.7. The proposed footpath, pedestrian refuge and pram ramps adjacent to 795 Sandy Bay Road are shown in Figure 1 below and require the removal of an indented parking area that can hold up to three cars. The proposed pedestrian facilities have been provided to allow for residents of Sandy Bay Road, Pauldon Drive and Mitah Crescent to safely cross the road and are in close proximity to an existing bus stop pair on Sandy Bay Road.

Figure 1 – 795 Sandy Bay Road, approved plan

4.8. Following redevelopment in accordance with the planning permit dated 17 December 2014, the Riverview Inn at 795 Sandy Bay Road will provide off-street car parking for 10 vehicles. On-street car parking is also available in Pauldon Drive for any overflow parking demand that may occur. The December 2014 planning report makes no reference to the use, availability or reliance on the on-street car parking adjacent to 795 Sandy Bay Road.

4.9. Correspondence has also been received from a Taroona resident who regularly uses Sandy Bay Road, requesting that the pedestrian crossing point near Pauldon Drive be installed as per the approved plan. A copy of the email is included as Attachment B to this report.

4.10. The continuation of the footpath and provision of a pedestrian refuge island is an important aspect of this project. Alternative locations for a pedestrian refuge island were considered but the windy nature of Sandy Bay Road meant that adequate sight distance for pedestrians was not achievable. Adequate sight distance for pedestrians can be achieved at the proposed refuge location.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. Pedestrian amenity and safety is a higher priority than the provision of on-street car parking. On that basis, it is proposed to complete the approved works for Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling project – including the footpath extension, pedestrian refuge and pram ramps adjacent to 795 Sandy Bay Road.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. Goal – Two, Urban Management within the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015-2025 is applicable in considering this report, particularly strategic objectives:

“2.1 A fully accessible and connected city environment;

2.2 A people-focussed city with well-designed and well managed urban and recreational spaces; and

2.3 City and regional planning ensures quality design, meets community needs and maintains residential amenity.”

6.2. Additionally, Sandy Bay Road has been identified as being part of the City’s Principal Bicycle Network.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The footpath extension, pedestrian refuge and pram ramps are funded as part of the approved scope of works for the Stage 3 Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling Project.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. None are foreseen.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. None are foreseen.

8. Environmental Considerations

8.1. Supporting sustainable transport modes (such as walking, cycling and public transport) has a positive environmental impact through the reduction of single occupancy private vehicles.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. There is a clear desire from the property owners to maintain on-street parking directly in front of 795 Sandy Bay Road (operating as The Riverview Inn). The plan endorsed by the Council on 7 September 2015 removed the on-street parking in that location in favour of providing a footpath, pedestrian crossing refuge island and pram ramps.

9.2. The provision of improved pedestrian facilities, including safe crossing points is an important aspect of this project. The proposed pedestrian refuge is located close to Pauldon Drive, Mitah Crescent and a bus stop pair where there is expected to be a concentration of pedestrians and cyclists.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. Wide consultation with the community and with directly impacted residents and businesses was completed during June and July 2015 in relation to the whole of Stage 3 of the Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling Project.

10.1.1. The result of this engagement was considered by the Council as its meeting held on 7 September 2015. Feedback was received from the owners of the Riverview Inn and officers met with them on-site to discuss this further. The concerns raised during the original consultation are consistent with the further letter requesting that the on-street car parking be retained outside 795 Sandy Bay Road.

10.2. The Program Coordinator Engineering has also been consulted and provided qualified advice in the preparation of this report.

11. Delegation

11.1. This is a matter for the Council to determine.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Angela Moore

Manager Traffic Engineering

Mark Painter

Director City Infrastructure

Date: 20 April 2017

File Reference: F17/34564; R0820/26

Attachment a: Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling Project - Stage 3 - Objection to Proposed Works - 795 Sandy Bay Road Sandy Bay - Helen Schurink & Cleve Dodgshun - 15/11/2016 ⇩

Attachment b: Email dated 5 January 2017 ⇩