A request to close part of Seventh Avenue North, which was tabled at the Nov. 19 meeting of Yorkton Council, was discussed in length again Monday before being tabled again until Jan. 28, 2013.
"The City has been approached by the owner of 145 Broadway Street East to close a portion of Seventh Avenue North, immediately north of Broadway Street East. The closed right-of-way would be purchased from the City in order to provide legal and physical connection to the property at 117 Broadway Street East, currently in operation as Royal Ford. The closure would facilitate future expansion of the existing Building Materials (Sales and Storage) use and relocation of the RTM Manufacturing development," recounted Michael Eger, planner with the City.
"If passed, the closure would result in the creation of an approximately 50 metre long cul-de-sac south of the Smith Street East. The cul-de-sac would be wide enough to ensure that access will be provided to all other properties with frontage on this block of Seventh Avenue. The City has water and sewer facilities within the street right-of-way which will need to be protected with an easement. Permanent buildings will not be permitted with in easement area."
Following advertising of the proposed bylaw Eger said the City had received several written responses detailing a variety of concerns including;
*Impede development of 117 Broadway Street East as a more desirable commercial use;
*Reduce much-needed parking spaces and redirect on-street parking to Sixth Avenue North and Eighth Avenue North;
*Redirect traffic to neighbouring streets which are not suitable for additional volumes;
*Create long-term traffic circulation problems as the City's population and commercial development continues to increase - this, in addition to circulation issues created by one-way restrictions on Third Avenue and parts of Livingstone Street;
*Decrease connectivity from Broadway Street to northerly commercial and residential areas, and to commercial areas along Seventh Avenue South and Hamilton Road.
There were public presentations made to Council again Monday.
Terry Ortynsky, owner of the Royal Ford property, one of those included in the request, said the business expansion by Home Hardware is "best for them and good for the city."
In terms of downtown business an expanded Home Hardware would "bring more traffic" to the area, adding it would "keep the core alive in the downtown."
In terms of the business scale if the closure takes place Ortynsky said there are "numerous examples" where businesses hold two city blocks in other Saskatchewan cities, and the street has been closed.
Tristan Culham, lawyer for Home Hardware reminded Council the company "has been part of this community for over 35-years." He added the requested expansion is a result of "the growth of community and serving consumer demand."
In terms of the expansion Culham said the plan calls for improvements to the look of the property which will see the existing Home Hardware (HH) become a lumber yard, with the Royal Ford building become the HH location.
The Ready-to-Move home construction area would be enhanced with fencing and greenery. He added "RTM homes have been built at the location for 20-years."
Culham said it would be "designed in a way with more of an appealing look on Broadway."
The redevelopment as outlined by Culham included expanded on-site parking.
Councillor Randy Goulden asked if that would include additional spots for staff to take pressure off on-street parking.
Culham said there will be an estimated 24 on-site spots, some creating new staff parking.
Coun. Les Arnelien wanted to know if the deal on the expansion would go forward if Council chose not to close the portion of Seventh Avenue North?
"It would certainly be looked at," replied Culham.
Coun. Ross Fisher said if Seventh Avenue were closed, then the boulevard on Smith Street adjacent to Eighth Avenue would likely need to be removed to facilitate traffic flows. He asked if HH was prepared to cover those costs?
While noting there had been no formal request in that regard, Culham said, "I know Home Hardware is open to having that discussion."
Rick Lazar, a resident of Sixth Avenue North told Council people on the street have concerns including increased traffic which could be a safety issue for children.
"We've put our trust in you to do the right thing," he said.
Councillor Chris Wyatt said he too has concerns over traffic, recalling Council was told closing a portion of the street by the Liquor Board Store would not be a problem, and it did not work as smoothly as expected. He said closing the portion of Seventh will put additional "pressure on Sixth and Eighth.
"I just can't see this working," he added.
From an Administrative perspective Eger said, "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. Given low traffic movements on this roadway, the closure should not have an overly negative effect on the flow of traffic in and around this area of the community. Traffic flow and service levels will likely be improved once a traffic light is installed at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Broadway Street."
"In response to concerns from property owners and Council raised at the Public Hearing, Engineering Services is undertaking more detailed review of the closure. This includes a detailed traffic analysis, which will provide updated traffic counts and a forecast of future traffic volumes/patterns based on anticipated population growth. The forecast will also account for development along Seventh Avenue North specifically.
"Engineering Services would also like to examine other measures that could improve downtown traffic circulation. Specifically, Planning Services will examine the merits of re-opening Third Avenue to two-way traffic as a means to improve levels at the Fourth Avenue intersection."
While there does seem to solutions to the issues, Eger said additional time to look at the issue had merit too.
"While Planning Services believes there is merit in the proposed closure, concern has been expressed from numerous property owners and it has been suggested that the City should allow more time for public consultation. In order for Administration to adequately evaluate concerns and because of the long-term impact of the proposed closure, it is recommended that the Bylaw be further deferred," he said.
Fisher was not ready to table the issue again.
"I think we should move forward with the closure," he said, adding the areas of concern can best be dealt with through the development permit process where the City can establish what Home Hardware will need to do to proceed. "I would actually prefer we not put it off."
Coun. Randy Goulden agreed with Fisher, suggesting passage would allow City Administration to negotiate details with Home Hardware.
The issue was eventually tabled by a four votes-to-three margin with Councillors Wyatt, Fisher and Goulden opposed.
