Title
Access to Crown Land for River Tubing near the Hamlet of Entwistle (SW 17-53-7-W5M)
Proposed Motion
That Council authorize Administration to allocate up to a maximum of $600,000 from the Restricted Surplus - Long Term Sustainability Fund for the construction of a 9.1 m wide gravel surfaced access road to the Crown land located in the SW 17-53-7-W5M; and that construction costs be recovered through benefiting landowners applying for future subdivision and/or development permits.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration recommends that Council approve Option D Modified because this alignment will not only provide access to the subject crown plan, but will also promote development in the area, and move traffic from the cemetery and residential area without detrimentally impacting business opportunities in the area.
Purpose
This matter is presented to Council as a solution to disturbances to the Entwistle residential area and the Cemetery caused by high traffic volumes generated by the use of crown land for recreational purposes (see 'Option D Modified', below).
Summary
At the request of Council, Sustainable Infrastructures Services Division was instructed to conduct a public information session in the Hamlet of Entwistle to collect comments and feedback from the public on four options to access the Crown land located in the SW 17-53-7-W5M. The following four options were presented to the public on November 17th, 2011 and posted on the Parkland County website:
Option A (Status Quo). This Option follows the existing route using 46th Avenue and 55th Street. Dust abatement will be applied as required during the summer season. The Crown land can remain accessible through the cemetery (Alternative 1) or the traffic can be diverted away from the Cemetery by constructing 460 meters of road along the east Cemetery property line (Alternative 2). Only one of the two alternatives will be considered.
Option B (Reconstruction with Partial Surfacing of the Existing Route). This Option follows the existing route used to access the crown land using 46th Avenue and 55th Street and includes:
1. The reconstruction and surfacing of 46 Avenue between 52 Street and 55 Street.
2. The reconstruction and surfacing of 55 Street from 46 Avenue to 200 meters south of that intersection.
3. The reconstruction and graveling of 55 Street from 200 meters south of 46 Avenue to Crown Land to meet 9.1meter width.
The Crown land can remain accessible through the cemetery (Alternative 1) or the traffic can be diverted away from the Cemetery with the construction of 450 meters of road along the east Cemetery property line (Alternative 2). Only one of the two alternatives will be considered.
Option C (Construction of Township Road 532). This option will provide access to the Crown land from Highway 22 along the undeveloped Township Road 532. This road will be surfaced with gravel.
Option D (Construction of Access from 52nd Street south to Crown land).
This option will provide access to the Crown land by extending 52 Street south to the Crown land. This road will be surfaced with gravel.
Option D Modified (Construction of Access from 52nd Street south to Crown land).
This option will provide gravel surfaced access road to the subject Crown land by extending 52 Street south. The modified roadway alignment located within the Crown land will allow more separation from the Cemetery and will be constructed on a more stable higher ground.
Out of 18 responses, the majority felt that the traffic must travel away from the Cemetery and the residential areas.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Sustainable Infrastructures Services Division will be given the option to retain outside resources to conduct this work in order to maximize the completion of the 2012 road program.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $600,000.00
Source of Funding: Restricted Surplus - Long Term Sustainability Fund
Other (As Required)