Title
SIDEWALK ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY
Councillor Aylwin provided a background on previous discussions regarding City’s sidewalks and improving pedestrianization. He noted that similar subjects and ideas have been discussed at other City Advisory Committee meetings such as the Seniors Advisory and Accessibility Advisory Committees.
Cheryl Dillon, Disability Management Specialist advised that the new Official Plan would encompass universal design practices that will affect and change the community and the streetscape of the community from an accessibility perspective going forward. She noted that the Ontario Provincial Design Standards used when creating transportation infrastructure has been in line with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act since 2015, and that staff in the Infrastructure Department follow the accessibilities best practices in designing sidewalks and roadway infrastructure.
The Committee asked Ms. Dillon several questions related to snow clearing, sidewalk size, rules of bicycle riding and accessibility of sidewalks in the winter, and received responses from Ms. Dillon.
Kevin Rankin, Supervisor of Urban Forestry and Natural Areas Stewardship advised that the sidewalks are maintained to the Minimum Standard Maintenance Standard of Ontario.