First, a correction: The LPOA’s Annual General Meeting will take place on MONDAY, DECEMBER 10th. My apologies for the change in date from late November, due to a room scheduling conflict. I can confirm that Leaside Memorial Gardens does indeed have the William Lea Room booked for us on December 10th.
The AGM will begin at 7p.m. (doors open at 6:30). There will be reports on events of the past year, nominations and the election of LPOA’s 2019 directors. Our new councillor, Jaye Robinson, will also speak.
Then the LPOA’s Traffic Committee will present our proposals for neighbourhood traffic calming. Our consultant Gene Chartier of Paradigm Transportation Solutions will lead the discussion.
Here’s a little advance preview: to design measures which are both economically and politically feasible, this is not a “one-step” plan, but phased, beginning along the outer boundaries and working inward. We will define final goals and the next phases to get us there. We will be in regular contact with our councillor and with City staff to maximize opportunities where our recommended changes can coincide with City road construction projects planned within Leaside.
We have identified priority and safety areas such as local schools and parks, and will suggest measures to reduce through traffic and speed on our residential streets. Safety and volume reduction are Leasiders’ priorities, according to your responses to the LPOA’s earlier meetings and surveys. If traffic enters our area, we want to make sure drivers behave.
By suggesting a phased approach, our goal is a plan which can be monitored each step of the way to ensure that it’s working, not creating subsequent problems on adjoining streets. As well, phasing allows us to tweak measures to adjust to Eglinton LRT construction stages and development issues as they occur. We want to create a system which will function well in both the short and long term.
The question of cost always comes up at local public meetings, and when proposing calming plans to City staff and council. Coordinating with other roadwork scheduled for the neighbourhood will certainly reduce expenses. Many of the physical tools used in traffic calming are affordable and cost-effective. It’s an important aspect we have to keep in mind as we proceed.
Most important of all, this plan is open to your comments and suggestions. We need your buy-in, and your support, to move forward. So be sure to join us on December 10th!
The LPOA board of directors has written to Jon Burnside, our councillor for the past four years, to express our appreciation for his hard work on Leaside’s behalf and his commitment to our community. I’d like to add a personal note of thanks as well. It’s been an eventful term, and Jon made a big difference. I’m sure you join me in wishing him only good things in his future.
Our next regular monthly LPOA board meeting is on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Trace Manes building. These meetings are always open to the public and take place on the first Wednesday of each month. Contact us anytime via our website, www.lpoa.ca.
