A request to close a portion of Seventh Avenue North is meeting with some opposition leaving Yorkton Council to put off a final decision on the matter until at least its Dec. 3 meeting.
Michael Eger, Planner with the City said the issue came about as a result of the City being 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 and will provide legal and physical connection to the property at 117 Broadway Street East, currently in operation as Royal Ford. The closure will also facilitate future expansion of the existing Building Materials and RTM Manufacturing uses," added Eger.
Council approved public notification and passed the first reading for the subject application on Nov. 5, 2012. The proposed Bylaw was advertised and circulated in accordance with the public notification requirements of the City of Yorkton.
The advertising resulted in several letters of concern being forwarded to the City.
In addition Council heard three verbal presentations at its regular meeting Monday.
Juanita Polegi manager of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce was one of the speakers. She said the Chamber has "received a number of comments from its members."
Concerns included those over traffic levels if a portion of the street were closed, noise levels, and impact on neighbouring properties, said Polegi.
As a result on behalf of the Chamber Polegi urged Council to give the issue another two weeks to allow for further consultation with the public before making a decision.
Eger said a delay was likely warranted.
"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. Given the long term impact of the proposed closure, it is recommended that the Bylaw be deferred to a later meeting in order to provide for further response time from affected parties," he said.
Tristan Culham, a lawyer representing Home Hardware, originators of the request, said the request is one designed to provide the business with the benefits of having two pieces of property adjacent to each other.
As it stands with Seventh Avenue dividing the properties Home Hardware has to technically load supplies onto a truck, strap it down, cross the street and unload it, said Culham, adding they gain no more advantage having contiguous properties under the current situation that with properties separated by 10 miles.
Eger reviewed the direction a closure could take.
"The 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 all other properties with frontages on this block of Seventh Avenue North," he said.
In terms of traffic flows, Eger said traffic lights in the area are on the long term plan for the area.
"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," he said.
Eger said the closure remains one that should be workable.
"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. Given low traffic movements on this roadway, closure should not negatively affect 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 (Ave) and Broadway Street," said Eger.
Council introduced second reading of the bylaw to close a section of Seventh Avenue, but deferred its decision until Dec. 3.
