Ask the Councillor June 2016: when is traffic calming warranted? Illegal signs; Retirement home on Ghent
Got a question? Email [email protected] and we’ll include your answer next month.
When is traffic calming warranted on a street?
Resident D. S. asks: What criteria is needed to warrant a speed bump?
Response: There are seven traffic calming “warrant” criteria, including such items as: percentage of vehicles travelling over the speed limits, amount of cut through traffic, number of vehicles on the road, the presence of schools or parks that generate foot or cycling traffic, and the number of pedestrians or cyclists. The full list is here: Table B – Traffic Warrant Criteria
Before the traffic calming plan is initiated, a minimum 3 of the first 6 warrants needs to be met to allow staff to create a proposed traffic calming plan. If the 7th warrant is met – the 85th percentile speed is 15km/h or more over the speed limit – then no other warrant needs to be met.
Residents interested in traffic calming are required to submit their name, address and contact information (phone and email) to or by phone at: 905-335-7671
When staff receive at traffic calming request they review the street and where appropriate undertake traffic studies to determine whether the warrants are met. If they are, staff will develop a traffic calming plan. Residents within the study area will be invited to an open house meeting to review the plan. Staff will make any appropriate modifications as a result of feedback, then proceed with the revised plan.
More information about traffic calming and what you can do to report speeding or aggressive driving in your neighbourhood is available on the city’s web page here: Speeding & Aggressive Driving
Illegal Signs
Resident D.A. asks: Illegal signs, often plastic material stretched over wire frames and inserted into the ground, on private and public land such as parks and blvds. Spring seems to be the worst time, when signs for landscaping, painting, and many other advertisements appear throughout Burlington. What is the city doing about these signs?
Response: Our Supervisor of Building By-law Enforcement has pro-actively patrolled the City including and have removed and seized a total of 175 illegal signs that were erected on city property. The seized signs will be stored for a period of 30 days for recovery. Staff will have to re-visit these proactive patrols/ removal blitzes.
Seniors residence on Ghent:
Residents D & D R ask: We were by the plot of land on Ghent Avenue with the Clarendon Park Village sign. They are starting to clear the land. What type of residence will this be, Independent living, Retirement, Long Term Care or condos. Do you have any knowledge of this development?
Response: The proposed facility at 2170 Ghent Ave will cater specifically to persons with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The City’s Zoning Section classifies this operation as a ‘retirement home’, which is a permitted use in the property’s RM2 (Medium Density) zone. Their website is www.memorycare.ca, which provides information regarding their facilities.
July 3, 2016 @ 10:41 pm
Hi Marianne
I notice that when city trees that were planted on boulevards in the downtown core die off, they are cut down however rarely is the spot replanted with another tree. Has the city backed off on its tree planting program in the down town core?
July 1, 2016 @ 12:11 am
what are the rules about banners attached to fences on city property advertising ongoing things such as church service as opposed to a single event with a start and end date
thank you
July 1, 2016 @ 9:58 am
Good question. I will get a response for you.