A traffic calming issue that has split a downtown community has also split city council, which voted 9-4 Monday against removing a road narrowing on Ontario Street for the time being.
The physical road narrowing at Wood Street, called a “bump-out,” has been an issue in the neighbourhood since it was installed in 2008. The division of opinion was in evidence at Monday’s council meeting, where residents spoke on both sides of the issue of whether the bump-out should be removed when nearby Tytler school is closed as an elementary school next June.
The bump-out is “ugly” and “causes accidents,” said Renato Cadorin.
“The bump-out has created a perception of safety that is not really there,” said Annette Stocco.
Among those supporting it was Nicola Walsh. “Most people I have spoken to do not care how ugly it is,” she told council. “They want their children to be safe.”
City staff distributed another survey on the issue in the neighbourhood this year, and 31 of 69 surveys were filled in, council was told. Twenty-one of the 31 wanted the bump-out removed. “If we are going to uphold the values of democratic process,” council must pay attention to this opposition, said Coun. Jim Furfaro. He voted along with councillors Bob Bell, Cam Guthrie and Gloria Kovach in favour of a motion to remove the bump-out, which was defeated 9-4.
Mayor Karen Farbridge said she was looking forward to seeing work currently being done at city hall on possible alternatives to such neigbourhood surveys.
“All I know is abut 30% of that neighbourhood doesn’t support” the bump-out, judging by the latest survey, Farbridge said. “We can only speculate what the others think, which is part of the problem with such surveys.”
Bell said he hopes this neighbourhood can come together at some point to “reach consensus on a traffic calming measure that would be acceptable to everyone.”
A motion by Coun. June Hofland to take no action on removing the bump-out for the time being passed 10-3. She said she didn’t want staff to be told to revisit the issue after Tytler closes next year, as this would be “just stirring the pot” in the neighbourhood.