Harmony Road (Regional Road 33)
Class Environmental Assessment
From Rossland Road (Regional
Road 28) To Conlin Road
PIC #2 Summary Report
PREPARED FOR:
Regional Municipality of Durham
605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby
L1N 6A3
PREPARED BY:
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
300-675 Cochrane Drive
Markham, Ontario L3R 0B8
Date: March 2011
Project Number: 160210516
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................1.1
2.0 NOTIFICATION ................................................................................................................2.1
3.0 PIC PRESENTATION MATERIAL ....................................................................................3.1
4.0 SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS / COMMENTS AND THE RESPONSES.............................4.1
5.0 NEXT STEPS....................................................................................................................5.1
Appendix A – PIC Notice and Letter
Appendix B – PIC Displays
Appendix C – PIC Questionnaire/Comment sheet
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i
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
1.0
Introduction
As part of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed modifications to Harmony
Road from Rossland Road to Conlin Road (Study), the Region is required to consult with the
review agencies and public regarding the Study problems and opportunities and potential
alternative solutions identified in this Study. This consultation is achieved through a Public
Information Centre (PIC); which provides an opportunity for members of the public to learn more
about the subject Study, to interact with the Region and Consultant staff, and to provide their
input.
The need and justification for the proposed modifications, and alternative solutions were
presented at the first PIC for the study, held on June 23, 2010. Subsequently, the preferred
alternative solution was selected: a widening of Harmony Road to four or five lanes from
Rossland Road to Conlin Road, plus operational improvements and intersection modifications
along the corridor.
Following the first PIC, alternative design concepts were developed and a recommended
alternative design was identified. To present the concepts and recommended design to the
public, the Region held a formal PIC on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Maxwell Heights
Secondary School, 1100 Coldstream Drive in Oshawa. The purpose of the PIC was to provide
the public with an opportunity to review the analysis and evaluation of the design alternatives,
the recommended design alternative, and the next steps in the study; and to solicit feedback.
Representatives from the Region and Consultant (Stantec) were present at the PIC to respond
to questions from the public and to discuss the next steps. The PIC was a drop-in format, from
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, where information panels were set up for public review.
The following representatives from the Region of Durham and Stantec Consulting were in
attendance at the PIC.
Region of Durham:
Paul Gee, Manager, Transportation Design
Janet Mosher, Project Manager,
Glyn Reedman, Project Coordinator
Stantec Consulting Inc:
Gordon Murray, Consultant Project Manager
Shawn Ellsworth, Consultant Project Engineer
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1.1
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
2.0
Notification
Advertisements informing the public of the PIC were placed in Oshawa This Week newspaper
on Wednesday, November 17th, and Thursday November 25th, 2010. The PIC notice was
posted on the Region’s website and copies were mailed to residents and businesses in the area
on Wednesday, November 17, 2010.
The PIC letter was also mailed to the City of Oshawa, Central Lake Ontario Conservation
Authority, other Federal and Provincial agencies, First Nations representatives, businesses and
utility companies. In total, 73 notices were mailed to the agencies. Copies of the newspaper
notice, public notice and letter to the agencies are included in Appendix A.
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2.1
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
3.0
PIC Presentation Material
Upon arrival at the PIC, attendees were asked to sign a visitor registration sheet. Comment
sheets were provided for residents to complete and leave at the PIC or take away to complete
and return to the project team.
20 display boards and 2 roll plans were presented at the PIC. The information display boards
and roll plans in Appendix B included the following:
Display Boards
1.
2.
Welcome
Purpose of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Study / Purpose of the Public
Information Centre
3.
Class Environmental Assessment Process
4.
Study Area and Key Features
5.
Summary of PIC #1: Summary of Background Studies and Key Influence
6.
Summary of PIC #1: City of Oshawa Land Use
7.
Summary of PIC #1: Summary of Needs and Opportunities Identified,
Problem/Opportunity Statement, Preferred Alternative Solution
8.
Alternative Designs Considered
9.
Noise Analysis
10.
Stormwater Management Analysis
11.
Hoskin Bridge
12/13. Evaluation of Alternative Design Concepts – Rossland Road to Grand Ridge Avenue
14/15. Evaluation of Alternative Design Concepts – Grand Ridge Avenue to Coldstream Drive
16/17. Evaluation of Alternative Design Concepts – Coldstream Drive to Conlin Road
18.
Recommended Alternative Design
19.
Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation
20.
Next Steps
Roll Plans
1.
2.
Plan and Profile of the Recommended Alternative
Existing Features and Constraints Map of the Study Area
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3.1
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
4.0
Summary of Questions / Comments and the Responses
The PIC was attended by 26 members of the public. As of March 1st, 2011, a total of 9
responses have been received from the public via comment sheets. The questions asked and
comments received at, and after, the PIC, are summarized in the following table. Copies of the
comment sheets are provided in Appendix C.
Summary of Comments
Public Comments
1. • The widening of Rossland (Harmony –
sic) is long overdue. The use demands
on this route are not being met by its
present condition.
• My one concern is the exiting situation at
Storie and Corbett’s Road. Both these
locations are one of a very minimal
number of exits from these well
populated communities. At present it is
virtually impossible to go north on
Harmony from Storie and south on
Harmony from Corbett’s Road.
• There are elevations that result in limited
lines of vision because of hills on either
side of the access roads.
• There is no apparent coordination of
lights at Rossland and Beatrice to allow
movement out onto Harmony.
• I do hope that there will be some thought
given to making these access points safe
for community members leaving and
coming into their neighbourhoods so that
they are not required to drive through the
entire neighbourhood to find a safe way
to follow.
Region Response
•
The Region understands the concerns
that you have raised, that relate to the
difficulty of making left turns at Storie
Avenue and Corbett’s Road, due to
reduced visibility and the timing of the
signals at Beatrice Street and Rossland
Road.
Presently neither Storie Avenue or
Corbett’s Road intersection meets the
requirement for signalization or are
predicted to in the forecasted future.
Signal timings at Beatrice Street and
Rossland Road are coordinated primarily
to optimize traffic flows on Harmony Road
and Rossland Road and not necessarily
for exiting traffic on side streets, where
alternative signalized access is available.
Alternate routes are available in these
neighbourhoods for motorists who would
prefer to make their left turns onto
Harmony Road at controlled intersections.
Instead of making an eastbound left turn
from Storie Avenue, motorists can use
Attersley Drive, Elderberry Drive and
Beatrice Street to make a left turn at the
traffic signal at Harmony Road. Instead of
making a westbound left turn from
Corbett’s Road, motorists can use
Grandview Street and Rossland Road to
make a left turn at the traffic signal at
Harmony Road. From a traffic
perspective, these alternate routes off
acceptable levels of convenience.
Visibility at Corbett’s Road meets current
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4.1
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
Public Comments
2. • We operate a dairy farm on the NE
corner of Harmony & Conlin Road. We
travel north on Harmony to other farms
with large equipment. During
construction, for ease of construction and
us moving equipment, we wonder if we
could have an entrance on Harmony at
the north edge of your construction. We
would travel across our field and out the
entrance to avoid corner. Another option
would be to widen the gate at region
water reservoir and allow us access
there.
3. • I noticed the sidewalk will be moved
towards the fence that is presently in
place on the west boundary of my
property (between the road and my
property). Will the fence be moved or
replaced?
• Also, I would like to ensure a sanitary
pipe is continued from Beatrice across
Harmony Road to the boundary on the
north part of my property. To ensure
4.2
Region Response
•
•
design standards, however as part of this
project the Region will be looking to
secure, reasonable further improvements
to visibility by way of additional daylighting
for the intersection, where there is
opportunity to do so. At Storie Street, we
recognize that the west boulevard does
create minor sight impairment towards the
north. The proposed widening of the road
from two to four lanes will require a
minimum of 170m sight visibility at the
intersection, which will be achieved within
the proposed design.
The Region fully understands your need
to maintain access to your business
during construction of the intersection
modifications at Harmony Road and
Conlin Road. We will work with you, as
detailed design is moved forward with
construction staging options to maintain
access, either at the existing driveway or
consider the alternatives you have
suggested. The intersection modifications
are currently scheduled for construction in
2012.
In the meantime, the Region will need to
start progress discussions on the
acquisition of part of the frontage at your
property to facilitate the widening of
Harmony Road and Conlin Road at the
intersection. The Region’s Property
Division will be in contact with you, to
begin these discussions, once further
information is available as to the extent of
property necessary.
In terms of the moving of the sidewalk
towards your property, at this stage of the
preliminary design, the majority of the
widening is expected to occur to the west,
and we do not anticipate any need to alter
the grading within your property. We
should be able to accommodate the new
sidewalk and any associated grading,
within existing right-of-way, therefore
there should be no need to move or
replace the existing fence at your property
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HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
Public Comments
Region Response
Harmony Road does not have to be torn
up when I decide to sub-divide my
property into lots.
4. • Hand dug well – what if impacts/effects
during house removal/demolition
• Near property on north side (~35 ft
deep)
• Good well to date
line. This will be confirmed once we move
into the detailed design phase. If this
changes within detailed design, typically
the Region would be responsible for the
costs of reinstating or replacing the fence
as necessary.
•
• Timing of house removal/demolition?
•
5. • Explained well by Mr. Murray
• Pleased it is planned as it is
• We would like to be kept informed
• We hope the sewer system in Maxwell
Village will be installed when the roads
are being worked on
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•
The Region can extend the existing
sanitary sewer to the east side of
Harmony at Beatrice Street, provided that
budget funds are available at the time of
the project. You would be required to pay
for the frontage and connection charges
as a minimum, and possibly 100% of the
cost of extending the sanitary sewer, as it
will only serve your property, once
subdivided. Please contact the Region for
direct discussions regarding the extension
of the sanitary sewer.
If the Region determines that there is a
likelihood of your well being affected by
the proposed construction, they will
undertake a pre-construction and postconstruction well survey to quantify the
impacts, if any. However, given the
shallow nature of the proposed Harmony
Road improvements, it is unlikely that the
construction will materially affect the
supply of water from the well.
Timing of the demolition of the existing
house is unknown by the Region at this
time. We suggest contacting the City of
Oshawa in this regard.
Sanitary servicing for part of the future
development land on Harmony Road,
north of Coldstream Drive is planned to be
accommodated by extending an existing
250mm sanitary sewer southwards on
Harmony Road from Conlin Road to
Coldstream Drive. We have shown a
proposed 250mm diameter sanitary sewer
in principle on our drawings on Harmony
Road, running between Conlin Road and
Coldstream Drive. If required, the sewer
would be constructed either at the time
that the road construction takes place, or
4.3
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
Public Comments
Region Response
in advance if the development comes
forward sooner. Alternative sanitary sewer
servicing can be provided through the site.
6. • I live on Grand Ridge Avenue – there are
only three (3) exists from this location
and all 3 are onto Harmony Road: Grand
Ridge Avenue, Swiss Heights and
Pinecrest Road. There are at least 7 of
us in that area that own Corvettes. There
are others that own classic cars. The
point in telling you this is that we all
attend several car shows in the late
spring, summer and early fall seasons. It
is critical that when entering shows, our
vehicles must be very clean. If we have
to go through a construction zone on
Harmony Road to get out of this area to
attend shows, our vehicles will get dusty
and dirty! This is simply unacceptable.
•
• Request: During the construction,
schedule the work so that we have a
“clean exit” to Harmony Road from at
least one of the three streets recorded
above. May I please have your
comments. If you are not going to cooperate, we will form a group to address
our concerns through legal action. The
property taxes in this area are
brutal/excessively high. Surely you can
make construction scheduling changes to
accommodate this minor request. May I
please have an early reply.
•
I
wish to address my concerns regarding •
7.
the proposed widening of Harmony Road
(Regional Road 33) in the City of
Oshawa. I am the owner of a property
located on the corner lot of Harmony
Road and Beatrice Street. During the
Public Information Meeting on November
30th I became aware of City plans to build
4.4
There are no existing plans to provide
additional sanitary sewers south of
Coldstream Drive to service Maxwell
Village and therefore not been identified
as part of this Study.
We fully understand your concerns and
will try to accommodate your request
when we get to the detailed design and
the construction phasing stage of planning
the project. Currently in the Region’s 2010
capital budget the section of Harmony
Road from Rossland to Taunton is
projected for construction in 2014, so
consideration of construction phasing is
still some time away.
At this stage it is difficult to give you
specific reassurances, as we have to
consider a number of issues when we
determine construction phasing, including
length of time construction will take, the
cost implications of phasing construction
as well as the impact of construction on
local residents.
However, we can assure you that we have
documented your concerns, and will do all
we can reasonably do to meet your
request. We will document in the
Environmental Study Report (ESR) our
commitment to meet and discuss the
construction staging with you at the
appropriate time.
We understand your concerns relating to
the proposed median island on Harmony
Road, immediately north of Beatrice
Street East and how this would restrict
access to your residential property.
Having looked at the preliminary design
and discussed with our traffic division, we
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HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
Public Comments
a traffic median (island) directly in front of
my property, including my driveway.
This proposed median presents the
following problems in relation to property
access:
• the median will completely block
entry and exit from the driveway
• the median will prevent left-hand
turns entering and exiting the
property
• It will also present the following traffic
concerns for the general public as well as
for the local community:
• Increased likelihood of traffic
accidents, in addition to the already
unsafe intersection due to the
steepness of Harmony Road directly
before the traffic lights; thus
resulting in the
• Increased likelihood of seriousness
of injury to passengers.
Region Response
are able to shorten the island to
approximately 10 metres in length so that
the driveway to your property on the
north-west corner is not blocked. The 5
metre wide painted median could also
extend northerly to provide informal refuge
for motorists turning to and from your
property.
The next phase of the EA process will be
to select the preferred design and
complete the Environmental Study Report
(ESR). The changes notified above will be
incorporated into the preferred design and
you will have been able to review these
changes when the ESR is filed. We will
notify you when the ESR is being filed and
where you will be able to review the ESR
and the preferred design.
• Please consider other alternatives, such
as creating a centre turning lane which
will allow for safe left-hand turns. I would
like to thank you in advance for reviewing
and considering my concerns. I would
like to ask that they are incorporated into
the next phase of the study of the
proposed plan, and I would like to
request an update of the next phase of
the project.
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4.5
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
5.0
Next Steps
Some of the major tasks that follow the PIC are listed below:
•
•
•
•
Review the materials presented, along with comments and suggestions received from
the public, agencies, utilities, etc.
Respond to written questions and comments.
Based on input, confirm and complete the Recommended Alternative Design
Complete the Environmental Study Report and file for 30 day Public Review.
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5.1
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
APPENDIX A
PIC Notice and Letter
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
APPENDIX B
PIC Display Boards
HARMONY ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 33)
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FROM ROSSLAND ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 28) TO CONLIN ROAD
PIC #2 SUMMARY REPORT
APPENDIX C
PIC Questionnaire/Comment Sheet