Parking, bike routes stir Old Town debate
Council revisits plans approved for summer roadwork on Franklin Avenue after hearing concerns
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A dozen people were in council chambers Monday for the municipal services committee meeting as councillors probed staff about plans to install 13 angled parking stalls along 50 Avenue across from the brewpub, ban parking on other sections of the street and install a multi-use path on the northwest side of the street.
Coun. Julian Morse, left, asks questions about the angled parking spaces planned to installed across from the Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery and multi-use paths along Franklin Avenue this summer. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Council had already voted unanimously to approve the contract for the work but when notices started going out in Old Town, residents raised concerns. While none of those attending addressed council, some took notes as the discussion continued.
"This is a fairly significant development," said Coun. Julian Morse, who raised the issue Monday and questioned why more details - such as maps showing the extent of the plans - hadn't been provided to council earlier.
"I do hear the strong message that people don't necessarily want a parking area in this neighbourhood at all," said Coun. Shauna Morgan, adding the city should instead examine allowing more parking in the vacant lot at the intersection of School Draw Avenue and Franklin, at the base of Twin Pine Hill.
Plans shown during the meeting show 13 angled parking stalls directly across from the Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery that wouldn't require blasting of the rock face.
Parking roadside along Franklin would be eliminated where it it's currently allowed and frequently used to park boat trailers. Instead, a multi-use asphalt path could is being considered for pedestrians and cyclists.
Councillors including Adrian Bell expressed criticism of bike paths that were installed previously, such as the one on 52 Avenue that forces cyclists on and off of the sidewalk. He said both bike users and an expert should be consulted on these projects and a broader plan for bike lanes drafted.
"We need to have a strategy that is more than just one street," he said.
A public information session on the planned roadwork, set for tonight at 7 p.m. in council chambers, will now be a venue for city staff to gather input on whether changes should be made to the plan which was previously approved without council having specific knowledge of what it entailed.
Senior Administrative Officer Dennis Kefalas said changes could still be incorporated in the summer construction work. Though changes could impact the cost, as with 52 Avenue bike lane project.
In addition, Morse suggested the work include a lighted crosswalk near the pub, which director of engineering and public works Chris Greencorn said is in the works.
Fletcher Stevens, co-owner of the pub, said he knows parking has been an issue.
"Since we've opened, parking has just been a complete free-for-all. It doesn't look good," he said.
He said he's disappointed the construction will be going on outside the business for the summer hindering traffic.
The silver lining, he said, is that the area will look nicer once the work is done.
