Public Report

To: Development Services Committee

From: Paul D. Ralph, BES, RPP, MCIP, Commissioner, Development Services

Report Number: DS-15-50

Date of Report: February 18, 2015

Date of Meeting: February 23, 2015

Subject: Results of the City of Oshawa's Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study for Townline Road North between Taunton Road East and Conlin Road East

File: F-7000-0144 2013

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide the results of the City of Oshawa’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Study for Townline Road North from Taunton Road East to Conlin Road East.

On June 23, 2014, Council received a Report DS-14-123 regarding the status of the MCEA Study for information and directed staff report back on the final results of the study.

Attachment 1 shows the location of that portion of Townline Road North subject to the study.

Townline Road North is a boundary road under the jurisdiction of both the City of Oshawa and the Municipality of Clarington. Under the Boundary Road agreement between the two municipalities this section of Townline Road North is the City’s responsibility for maintenance purposes.

2.0 Recommendation

That the Development Services Committee recommend to City Council:

That Report DS-15-50 dated February 18, 2015 regarding the results of the City of Oshawa’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study for Townline Road North between Taunton Road East and Conlin Road East be received for information.

3.0 Executive Summary

Not applicable.

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Report to Development Services Committee Item: DS-15-50 Meeting Date: February 23, 2015 Page 2

4.0 Input From Other Sources

4.1 Other Departments and Agencies

A number of departments and agencies were consulted during the study process such as the following:

Region of Durham Works Department Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee Heritage Oshawa Municipality of Clarington Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority

5.0 Analysis

Townline Road North in this area is generally a 2 lane road with a rural cross section.

The City needed to consider whether improvements to Townline Road North are required for a variety of reasons [e.g. current traffic volumes in north Oshawa, projected increase in traffic volumes resulting from growth (Kedron Part II area, Northwood Industrial Area, UOIT/Durham College, etc.), Highway 407 impacts and current road conditions].

The Environmental Assessment Act requires municipalities to conduct MCEA’s to determine the nature of and need for any improvements and as a prerequisite to the construction of any significant improvements.

On November 25, 2013 Council approved the engagement of CIMA Canada Inc. (CIMA) to undertake the MCEA study on Townline Road North from Taunton Road East to Conlin Road East.

The Townline Road North MCEA was originally a Schedule C project under the Environmental Assessment Act.

Schedule C projects generally involve the construction of a new facility or major modifications to an existing facility and have the potential for significant environmental effects. Schedule C projects require the compilation of all relevant information, including the preferred solution, into an Environmental Study Report (ESR). The ESR is then provided to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOE CC) and the public for review and comment. MOE CC ultimately has to approve the MCEA.

Upon completing the current and future traffic analysis CIMA determined that the subject portion of Townline Road North can satisfy the existing and anticipated growth of traffic until the current horizon year of 2031 without any significant improvements (e.g. major road widening to accommodate additional lanes). Therefore the scope of the MCEA has been changed from a Schedule C project to a Schedule A+ project under the Environmental Assessment Act. Schedule A+ projects are anticipated to have minimal environmental impacts and are pre-approved under the MCEA process.

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Report to Development Services Committee Item: DS-15-50 Meeting Date: February 23, 2015 Page 3

The study indicates that the required key improvements include:

Intersection improvements at Coldstream Drive and Townline Road North (e.g. newnorthbound left turn lane on Townline Road North);

Intersection improvements at Woodstream Avenue and Townline Road North (e.g. newnorthbound left turn lane on Townline Road North); and

A roundabout is proposed at the Conlin Road East and Townline Road Northintersection.

The results of the MCEA Study will be posted on the City’s website and advertised in both local newspapers.

6.0 Financial Implications

The implementation of road improvements resulting from the MCEA Study will be included for approval in the appropriate capital budget and forecasts submissions to Council.

The advertising costs for the results of the MCEA Study can be accommodated in the departmental budget.

7.0 Relationship to the Oshawa Strategic Plan

Undertaking MCEA’s and related road improvements advance the Economic Prosperity, Social Equity and Environmental Responsibility goals of the Oshawa Strategic Plan.

Gary P. Carroll, B.ASc., M. Eng., P. Eng., Director, Engineering Services

Paul D. Ralph, BES, RPP, MCIP, Commissioner, Development Services

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Attachment 1 ´

Item: DS-15-50

Subject: Status Report on the City of Oshawa Municipal C lass EA Study for Townline Road North File: F-7000-0144

City of Oshawa Study Area Development Services Department

Th

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Winchester Rd W

Coldstream Dr

Columbus Rd EColumbus Rd W

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Study Area

Townline Rd N, Taunton Rd E To Conlin Rd E

Winchester Rd E

Wils

on R

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Conlin Rd W Conlin Rd E

Woodstream Ave

Study Area

Taunton Rd W Taunton Rd E

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