The Amherstburg accessibility advisory committee has weighed in on the sidewalk project, which will involve three historic streets in the town’s core.
Clerk Kevin Fox outlined the project, which will see sewers, sidewalks and roads replaced on George St., Seymour St. and a portion of Murray St.
The meeting was held last Thursday evening at Amherstburg town hall.
“When that work transpires, it’s going to cause the need to remove the existing sidewalk,” said Fox. “When that sidewalk is removed and a new sidewalk is placed, it has requirements under law it must meet current design parametres.”
Fox compared it to a sidewalk replacement project on Victoria St. S., where a sidewalk was removed and replaced with one that was wider.
Regarding the George/Seymour/Murray project, Fox noted there are mature trees and porches encroaching on town lands and “tight spaces” that exist.
Fox told the committee the town wants to try and preserve “all three competing aspects that exist there.” There will be an attempt to save trees, keep porches and replace the sidewalks.
The sidewalk portion would see sidewalks reduced in some areas due to porches and trees being preserved, sometimes at less width than the five-feet than is usually required.
“We wanted that to happen only where those specific elements existed,” he said. “Other elements such as fences and shrubs were requested to be removed so we could maintain as much of the wide sidewalks as we can possibly do.”
Town council requested the accessibility committee take a look at the sidewalk issue, which is why it was before the committee.
Committee vice chair Christine Easterbrook asked about compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) with Fox stating there are exemptions that would permit lowering the width. Exemptions exist for infrastructure needs or natural heritage elements such as mature trees.
Committee member Tony Pietrangelo wanted to know if the committee would see any drawings, with Fox stating the drawings will go to the RFP process.
“It won’t be a straight design. We already know that,” he said.
The engineers would come up with drawings specific to the site, he said, with most trees to remain and for porches to remain. Fences and shrubs would be removed as needed as part of the process, he noted.
The actual specifics of where sidewalks would widen and narrow would be part of the design process, Fox added.
“The only places that would narrow are the specific places where it’s absolutely necessary otherwise it would not occur,” Fox said. “It would only occur for the duration where narrowing is required.”
A lot of tree roots will have to be cut as part of the process as a “thicker base” for the sidewalks will be done to try and prevent root intrusion, Fox added.
That could lead to additional tree loss.
“Some trees will die, some trees will recover,” he said. “There are portions where they bumped out the curb to allow trees space to grow away from the sidewalk. Hopefully the roots will take the path of least resistance and avoid some of the things that are there and have the space to recover. It may be that some of the trees die earlier than we expect.”
Committee member Marc Renaud asked if the sidewalks would be “forced out” if it is an area where a home or porch abuts the sidewalk directly.
Fox said there may be cases where the sidewalk comes close to steps and they may “bend” the sidewalk to come closer to the curb.
Renaud said he took a drive through the neighbourhood and saw “five or six” homes that are close to the sidewalk.
Fox said some residents are very upset over the loss of fences or shrubs, adding “we don’t want to cause anyone financial loss or harm but we’re trying to balance all of the interests here and trying to preserve as much of the accessibility as possible so everyone can utilize the sidewalks.”
They are trying to preserve as many trees as possible to preserve natural heritage, Fox told the committee.
Councillor Don McArthur said he has been in the area and believed some fences could remain if the sidewalk were to move closer to a tree. He said he has spoken to a homeowner that feels it is unfair to be ordered to remove their fence.
“Some fences, they have concrete bases. What constitutes a permanent structure in that context?” he asked.
Fox said larger equipment may not be able to go in certain areas due to wanting to preserve elements as porches and trees, and indicated costs could balloon if smaller equipment was needed around every fence. He also believed it could be unfair to those who voluntarily removed fencing already.
McArthur said the approach being taken on the project has been used in other municipalities to “narrow where you absolutely must” but always with an eye to keeping the sidewalks as wide as possible.
Fox said the project was modelled after a project in Ottawa that was also conducted in a historic neighbourhood.
Pietrangelo looked for updates on the project, stating he pictured “a meandering sidewalk” rather than a straight one.
Fox said the intent is to go with the flow of the street.
Committee member Chris Drew said he has concerns whether people can use those sidewalks without being obstructed. Fox said they are trying to meet AODA requirements as much as possible to ensure equal access.
The committee received the report.
Accessibility committee receives report on sidewalk projects
By Ron Giofu
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