Council favouring modified extension for Kaake Road
By Bill Rea

Residents of Kaake Road in Nobleton do not want a full extension of their street into the proposed Dawsco subdivision to the east.

What Township councillors agreed to Monday night was to call for a municipal road with signs stating it's for the use of emergency and municipal vehicles only. Township staff have been left to come up with the design details and specifications.

The staff report that went to councillors Monday called for a fully open municipal road, built to the Township standards

The draft plan of the Dawsco subdivision called for Kaake Road to be extended into the development. Council had previously called on staff to look at adjusting that to allow for just an emergency connection.

The staff report was not keen on that idea. They noted some form of physical barriers, such as bollards, gates, swing arms, etc., could be established to provide a second access to the Dawsco lands. But the fire, planning and operations departments maintained that a second full access was most appropriate. They reported the Dawsco plan calls for 86 lots. As well, there would be proposed homes in the Slokker Canada development to the north that would rely on Dawsco lands for their second access. They also pointed out full winter maintenance of an emergency access is difficult, nor could it be guaranteed that unobstructed year round access would be available if needed.

As well, they reported that winter maintenance could damage some of the landscape and surface features of such an access. In addition, staff said it would be hard to prevent unauthorized use of this connection, without physical barriers.

The staff report also pointed out trying to get through an access that's just there for emergencies could cause delays in response times.

The report also pointed out that the extension of Kaake has been envisioned in the Nobleton Community Plan.

"The Kaake Road extension is desirable from an overall public safety, planning, community connectivity and engineering and traffic management perspective," the report declared.

Kaake resident Charlie Wilson, speaking on behalf of neighbours, stated he was disappointed with the staff recommendations, charging they fell short of the clear direction given by council, as well as the expectations of people living in the area.

In an effort to find some common ground, he suggested a single-lane access, with signs at either end stating it's for emergency access only. He agreed some motorists would sneak through it, but added "that's something we could live with."

Wilson observed the usual policy in King is to have two full accesses to any subdivision, but he pointed out there have been exceptions. He cited the Woodhill Avenue development on the south side of Nobleton, which has just one access point. He added the bridge on the road running through Kettleby allows for only one lane of traffic.

He agreed the proposed Baldessara development has two access pointed, and Slokker has three. But they are much bigger than Dawsco, he argued. "I personally don't believe we need Kaake Road," he remarked, adding he didn't think the residents were asking for anything unreasonable.

The staff report contained a number of possible alternatives, including one calling for a pedestrian access with no physical barriers that could be used by vehicles in emergencies. That one appealed to Councillor Cleve Mortelliti, who likened it to two culde sacs connected to each other. "I have a great deal of comfort with this option, although he said staff would have to approve of the exact specifications.

Councillor Linda Pabst agreed, adding that with signs at both ends stating it's just for emergencies, this would be a good compromise that shouldn't affect safety.

They both agreed with Councillor Bill Cober that the signs should specify municipal vehicles could use it too.

Mortelliti said he was envisioning a right-of-way that would be about 8.5 metres in width, but added he was trying to be as openended as possible, ready to let staff work out the details. He added the signage would be key in keeping out unauthorized vehicles, although fire truck drivers would know it's there if needed.

Cober pointed out that council shouldn't get too involved in the technical issues. "Let the technical people look after the technical aspects of this," he commented.

Mayor Margaret Black suggested the access be designed to the satisfaction of the fire chief and director of operations, and then council could let staff work on the details.

Township Solicitor Jose Matera tried to clarify that they were still talking about a public road. "A public highway is a public highway at the end of the day," she remarked, noting there will be the signs to specify what the connection is to be used for.

Mortelliti also said it will have to have the character and appearance of a pedestrian walkway, in order to discourage motorists from using it.

Matera suggested staff be directed to bring back options, based on what they interpret council to want.

Wilson commented after the meeting he was pleased with the way things turned out, adding his neighbours should be happy with the latest solution.

"I'm releived that common sense prevailed," he said.