The City of Yorkton will close a portion of Seven Avenue North following a request being made by the owner of 145 Broadway Street East.
"The closed right-of-way is to be used as part of the Building Materials, Sales and Storage use and will eventually provide legal and physical connection to the property at 117 Broadway Street East, currently in operation as Royal Ford," explained Michael Eger, Planner with the City, at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
"The resulting closure would result in the creation of a cul-de-sac approximately 50 metres south of Smith Street East intersection. The cul-de-sac would be wide enough to accommodate turning movements of emergency vehicles. It would also be long enough to ensure that access will be provided to the properties on the west side of Seventh Avenue North. The city has water and sewer facilities within the street right-of-way. These will need to be protected with an easement and no permanent buildings will be permitted within the right-of-way. Administration will ensure that there is sufficient room for fire trucks to turn around in the newly created bay/cul-de-sac."
The move will also help with traffic flows, offered Eger.
"Administration is also considering installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Broadway Street, which would become a "T" intersection as a result of the closure. This intersection was the sixth busiest in the City in 2010, and the Transportation Master Plan calls for traffic signals to improve levels of service, especially for north bound, left-turning traffic. It is unlikely, however, that these lights will be needed within the next two to three years. As a result, there will likely be a need for a development agreement as part of the development review process to ensure that these can be accommodated in the future," he said.
City Administration was in favour of the closure, which was unanimously supported by Council.
"Administration is of the opinion that this closure can be accommodated. While Seventh Avenue North currently provides a connection between Smith Street and Broadway Street, there are other streets on either side of it that provide the same function. Closure of this street should not negatively affect the flow of traffic around this area of the community. Any impact should be beneficial once a traffic light is installed at this location allowing for easier left turning movements onto Broadway Street from Seventh Avenue South," said Eger.
