http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/mcc/story/2179468p-2525510c.html
Residents rejoice as bike path scrapped
Melanie Hennessey
Sep 3, 2004
Justice prevailed for a group of residents from Mattamy's east-end Hawthorne subdivision Monday night when town council axed a plan for a paved bike path that would've cut across their boulevards and driveways.
Opponents of the plan filled the gallery in council chambers to hear a motion be passed stating that no bike path will be installed on Trudeau Drive, Waldie Avenue, Croft Avenue and Clark Boulevard.
"It's a good day for the community," said Rob Deslauriers, a Waldie Avenue resident and member of the Town trails advisory committee. "I'm happy that Town staff and council were co-operative to the needs of the community."
A report from senior staff indicated they recommended eliminating the path because of public opposition and recent research into other municipalities that found bike paths are traditionally not built across boulevards on collector roads.
"I think from the beginning, none of us could see how we'll make it (the bike path) work," said Ward 1 Councillor Rick Day, adding that staff made the best of a bad situation.
Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray also supported getting rid of the bike path proposal.
"I think it created the illusion of a safer corridor," she said.
Mr. Deslaurier's thoughts echoed Ms Mowbray's.
"A path is a path and it creates a false sense of security," he said.
The motion passed went on to say that funds that would've been used to build the path are to be put toward trail improvements in other areas of the Bristol Survey.
That money, which comes out of Mattamy's pocket, is estimated to be in excess of $100,000, said Director of Engineering Services Paul Cripps.
Mattamy Vice President of Halton Land Mike Vernooy said the company is committed to working co-operatively with the Town to redirect the funds.
"We definitely support the Town reccomendation on what they're doing with the bike path," he said.
He added that representatives from Mattamy will soon sit down with Town staff to determine where the money should go.
The bike path dilemma has been going on since last year. Many people have said they were never told by the developer about the path before buying their homes. Also, concerns on safety, property values and boulevard parking have all factored into the debate.
In February, a variety of options were presented at a public meeting, such as creating a bike lane on the road, eliminating it altogether or going with the original plan of a path across boulevards, separate from the sidewalks. Most residents supported getting rid of the bike path plan.
Last month, about 60 residents attended a Town open house to look over modified plans for the bike path that staff were supporting -- a .5-metre extension of the sidewalks running down four roads on one side, across boulevards and some driveways.
An option to 'delete the bike path without any further action' was also presented. "Most people in attendance commented that they did not want the bike path to be constructed within the boulevard area," a report from senior staff said.
The issue has been referred to the trails advisory committee to look at the Town's collector road standard regarding bike paths and potentially revise it. "I think the trails advisory committee has a big task ahead of them," said Mr. Deslauriers.
Melanie Hennessey can be reached at
mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.
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