Council favours dialogue with York on 15th and 18th
By Anneleen Naudts

The potential transfer of sections of 15th and 18th Sideroads to York Region was subject of heated debate at Monday's council meeting.

The deficient state of sections of these municipal roads between Bathurst and Dufferin Streets warrant their being adopted into the Regional road network, according to a report by Township Director of Operations Jody LaPlante and Jim McEwen of Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH).

Residents of the roads spoke out in opposition to the proposed transfer. They raised concern the roads would become commuter routes, with high traffic volumes which may potentially render them four-lane highways.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti, who opposed the recommendation, suggested that prior to making a decision, council request a deputation to from the Region to outline their intentions with respect to the roads.

Following a lengthy discussion, councillors agreed to encourage the Region to engage in dialogue regarding the matter, rather than adopting he staff recommendation to initiate the process to transfer the two road sections to York.

The primary benefit in that would be a risk reduction for the Township, cited the report. Exposure to risk of claims against the Township increases when the municipality is not resourced to deliver the services needed, it stated.

Secondly, the report welcomed passing on the $4 million to repair the sections to the Region. Mortelliti pointed out that Township had no previous intentions of fixing the road, and costs were not included in the 2008 budget.

The sections are deficient from both the geometric and structural perspective, with heavy alligator cracking, said McEwen.

"There's no question, the roads are at the end of their pavement life," he added.

Due to an increase in the volume of traffic, the roads have automatically been classified as Class 3, meaning they require more expensive servicing, according to the report. Asked why these roads were singled out from among 22 potential candidates, LaPlante said he has received 30 claims regarding potholes and damaged vehicles, and expressed concern over the safety of road maintenance crews.

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw was not convinced of the need to single out the two roads. "It seems convenient rather than consistent, and a rationalization rather than logical," he commented.

Mortelliti asked McEwen whether an environmental assessment would be required in the event of the roads being expanded to four lanes, and was told that it would be if the function of the road were to change.

Local resident Franklin Moskoff cautioned against what he thought would be potentially disastrous consequences stemming from inaccuracies in the report.

He referred to a section in which stated there is a direct connection between the 15th and Highway 400. "There is no direct connection, but rather an indirect one," he commented. He added the committee in King's Cross has been fighting the connection since 1993.

He cautioned that unintentional phrases and references send a misleading impression to people not familiar to the issues.

Andrea Loeppky addressed council on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of King Township, suggesting delaying a decision until the public has had a chance to understand the report and respond to it.

Loeppky cautioned against a loss of control over the roads should they be transferred to the Region. "Speed limits could be raised at any time," she commented, adding that the Region's priority is commuter traffic "at the expense of the residents of King Township."

Turning the roads into arterial ones will involve widening them and property acquisitions, she remarked.

"It's tempting to let financial concerns dictate decisions," she said, adding Township had not planned on fixing the sections, and traffic volumes could drop as construction on Bathurst continues.

"It's not acceptable to turn over the roads knowing full well they'll be turned into commuter roads," Loeppky concluded.

Local resident Rob Wilson presented council with a petition from residents of 18th Sideroad, opposing the transfer of the roads to the Region, and stating residents like the road the way it is.

A number of residents raised the issue of high traffic volumes making it difficult to enter and exit driveways.

Some also asked about the status of the proposed King City bypass, and were told the Region has not yet started work on it.

Mortelliti, who commented the report plays into his strengths as an engineer, said the reasons for transferring the roads were not compelling enough. He added there was no rush to make a decision on Monday. "We need to know the big picture first," he remarked.

Councillor Bill Cober commented on the need to move forward and engage in dialogue with the Region. "The road has to be fixed," he noted, "we can't keep deferring."

Councillor Linda Pabst remarked she didn't want another Highway 9 scenario. "I'm sick and tired of King being dumped on," she commented, adding she too would like to hear from Region.

Mayor Margaret Black remarked King has to deal with the roads to prevent lawsuits, and cautioned that claims could potentially bankrupt a municipality.

All councillors were in favour of engaging in dialogue with the Region to gauge the future of the roads.