At this afternoon Council Meeting (May 18), I brought forward 2 important Notices of Motion to be debated at our next Council. The first is related to traffic calming strategies that can be implemented in neighbourhoods. Speeding on our streets is out of control and in light of the tragedy in the City of Vaughan this week, taking action is required. Traffic calming ideas could include implementing strategies like the images below that I have seen in places like Vancouver.
1. Traffic Calming Strategy
Whereas the speed of vehicles in our neighbourhoods continue to be a concern for residents, Council and law enforcement; and,
Whereas a speeding vehicle took the lives of two young children in City of Vaughan this week; and,
Whereas, due to the size of our municipality, enforcement resources are limited; and,
Whereas, our current grid road network has unintentionally contributed to traffic safety concerns; and,
Whereas traffic calming measures such as mini-roundabouts, automated speed enforcement, radar speed signs, bike lanes, increased signage, bump-outs, traffic delineators, medians, and education are all within the Town’s authority to enact;
Therefore, be it resolved that Council direct staff to develop a Traffic Calming Strategy for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville that will include but is not limited to the measures above for “high-incident” roads, as identified by York Regional Police, and develop a budget for implementing those measures for consideration during the 2022 budget deliberations.
The second relates to improving the Town’s tree canopy. I believe we should do everything we can to hit the recommended range target York Region has given us.
2. Tree Canopy Enhancement
Whereas York Region presented the report “ State of the Forest” to Regional Council on May 13 2021,
And whereas Whitchurch-Stouffville has grown its Tree Canopy from 37% in 2017 to 38.9% in 2021,
And whereas York Region has a goal for Whitchurch-Stouffville to see its Tree Canopy grow to 40-45%,
Therefore, be it resolved that council direct staff to report back on the work required to be undertaken by Town staff, in collaboration with York Region, to jointly achieve the canopy and woodland cover objectives for Whitchurch-Stouffville, as outlined in the York Region Forest Management Plan.
Both of these resolutions will be discussed at our June 1 Council meeting which begins at 1PM.
Listen love at www.townofws.ca/cmlivestream
