Traffic pilot project for downtown Aurora parked for now
Report with more details expected back at council in early May.

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 3, 2016
Teresa Latchford  

Council remains undecided on a pilot project that would reduce traffic on Yonge Street at Wellington Street to two lanes in both directions.

The street parking plan pilot for the downtown core, originally proposed by Mayor Geoff Dawe, would see one lane each of northbound and southbound traffic with parking on either side of Yonge Street in downtown Aurora. The idea is to make the area more attractive and safe for pedestrians and allow businesses the chance to spill out onto the street with features such as patios.

The pilot project would test out the changes temporarily from June to October 2016.

“If anyone looks at Yonge Street at any time of the day, it’s single lane in both directions, so it’s already there,” Dawe said. “What this project is supposed to do is make it official.”

Councillor Michael Thompson supports the concept and believes anything that could help enhance the downtown core is worth investigating. However, he expected such an investigation would have produced a report with more information to help town leaders make sure the pilot project would be in the town’s best interest.

A lack of defined objectives; a pros and cons list and third-party comments from York Region and other experts are among the issues causing him to hesitate on giving the project a green light. He was also concerned about the omission of a metric through which to measure whether or not the pilot project is a success.

“We talk continually about trying to manage our affairs in a more business-like manner and I don’t feel that with this particular project we are moving ahead in a business-like manner,” Thompson said. “I’m left on my own to go and Google other towns to and see what they’ve done.

“I mean, you can’t just say I have an idea and roll it out as a pilot and we’ll gauge it at the end. I mean, we all have ideas but that’s no way to run the town.”

Thompson pointed out that the pitch for the pilot came a year ago and council expected a report back on feasibility, which they have yet to receive.

Councillor Tom Mrakas added to the concerns expressed by his fellow councillor.

“There isn’t enough here for me to make a decision and I would hate to see the pilot fail because we rolled it out at the wrong time,” Mrakas said.

For example, there are developments that could potentially impact the pilot project.

Councillor John Abel felt this was just another example of council being prepared to step forward in revitalizing the downtown and then taking a step back. He doesn’t take issue with starting it in the summer months and then seeing how it plays out.

“I thought this was a good idea, but if we are going to refer it back (to staff for more information) that’s just municipal politics and I’m getting used to it,” he added.

Yonge Street needs to be a destination, a place to park and stay awhile, according to Councillor Sandra Humfryes. However, there should be a traffic management plan that diverts through traffic to Industrial Parkway.

A more detailed staff report is expected at the May 3 general committee meeting where council will discuss whether to proceed or scrap the pilot project.

Council also requested that a copy of the full report be forwarded to York Region.