KENTVILLE - A two-way protected bike lane pitched for Webster Street is receiving mixed reviews within the community and council chambers.
The proposal came to Kentville’s council advisory committee (CAC) March 12 for consideration as part of a larger Webster Street Beautification and Traffic Calming Project. A recommendation report was submitted by Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Bedingfield and Community Economic Development Co-ordinator Lindsay Young.
The report lists a two-way protected bike lane situated along the north side of Webster Street and Webster Court as staff’s top pick for a route that would connect the east and west sections of Kentville’s trail system.
Consulting company WSP was hired to create a development plan outlining the best way to connect the two ends of the trail.
WSP’s study, costing in the ballpark of $15,000, was funded in part by the Town of Kentville and a Department of Energy Connect2 grant. The resulting report identified Webster Street as the most direct pathway that can be used to complete the Town of Kentville’s active transit network.
The proposal, however, has been met with some criticism.
Removal of traffic lane, parking space
The recommended option would include the elimination of one of the two one-way westbound traffic lanes on Webster Street, and the removal of 34 parking spaces. The staff report presented at CAC indicates that 12 parking spaces could potentially be created west of Station Lane.
The bulk of the parking spaces lost would be on Webster Court, with 18 spaces removed on the north side and seven more eliminated on the south side.
In presenting the staff report at CAC, Bedingfield said connecting the two ends of the trail and adding beautification elements along Webster Street would result in traffic calming, and create a more pedestrian-friendly destination that showcases Kentville’s commitment to encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
Bedingfield asked council to prioritize pedestrians over vehicles and beautification over parking to make Webster Street a popular gathering place and active transportation destination.
The projected $195,000 cost would include bollards and planter boxes, bump outs, line painting, tree planting and benches. Bicycle Nova Scotia has offered to contribute $37,000 in Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) cash promised in support of the developing Blue Route provincial cycling network.
Bedingfield’s presentation concluded with a staff recommendation requesting that council council approve the Webster Street Beautification and Traffic Calming Project for the 2018/19 budget.
Council delays decision
Video footage from the meeting reveals that the recommendation led to an animated discussion around the council table, with the majority of council members unwilling to approve the project at this time.
Coun. Cathy Maxwell voiced her support for putting money into a project the will result in the Town of Kentville being promoted as a popular destination along larger cycling routes within the province.
“Cycling is the next, I believe,… new tourism industry to take over this province,” she said.
Choosing a route that showcases the downtown businesses and eateries will give cyclists an incentive to spend some time, and money, in the town, Maxwell said.
“Webster Street is the heart of the town,” she said.
Coun. John Andrew spoke in favour of taking steps to promote more beautification efforts in the town, but said he’s not confident moving forward knowing members of the business community are concerned about the Webster Street proposal.
“I think it’s essential that we move forward with a buy-in from our business community,” he said, adding the he believes there could be more options to explore.
Coun. Eric Bolland concurred, noting that biking activity is seasonal and there could be an opportunity to put a trail along River Street once the new bridge is in place.
Coun. Craig Gerrard said he feels cyclists are less likely to explore the downtown if the trail offers a direct route, and he worries about the potential implications of interfering with the traffic flow on Webster Street.
“A huge concern for me would be the hospital on the other side of the bridge, and the traffic on Main Street being held up,” he said.
Coun. Cate Savage voiced support for a bike lane, but questioned if Webster Street is the best place for it.
“I think that would cause a lot of congestion on that road,” she said.
“I think more work needs to be done on it.”
Savage echoed Andrew’s concerns about proceeding without gathering more information from the business community.
“At the end of the day it really does have a major effect on them,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Lynn Pulsifer noted that vehicular traffic brings shoppers into town on a year-round basis.
“I just think our businesses are the basis of our town and I think we need to make sure our businesses are going to get their businesses as usual,” she said, noting that she feels cyclists might be inclined to stop and enjoy the view if the route is constructed along the river.
Mayor Sandra Snow said she’s focusing on what the town stands to gain from the project.
“Making our downtown a walking destination instead of a drive through is paramount to encourage growth and prosperity,” she said.
Council ultimately decided to send the matter back to staff for more information.
Business owner voices concerns
Andrew Zebian, owner of Phinneys clothing store on Webster Street, has outwardly voiced his opposition of the project to members of council and on social media.
“I am not against a bike lane. I think it’s a great idea but it will have huge ramifications for our downtown if it’s placed on Webster Street. Traffic will be congested with one lane and the time it will take for parallel parkers getting in and out of spots will make it worse,” he said in an e-mail to Kings County News March 21.
Zebian noted that courier trucks frequently make deliveries to merchants located along Webster Street during regular business hours.
“They usually park in one lane as they pick up or drop off,” he said. “What will the rest of the traffic do?”
He said he would rather see beautification cash spent on planters and benches than studies, and he does not support the removal of parking spaces within the shopping district.
“Our clients and customers collectively need to park their vehicles. Without them, our downtown will not flourish.”
In an interview March 20, Snow said Webster Street has been identified as a prime location for a complete street destination.
“What a complete street is is a street that can used by people ages eight to 80 and it’s about more than moving cars. It’s about moving people. It’s about moving wheeled vehicles… anything from a bike to a wheelchair to a scooter to a skateboard.”
She said the bike lane is only one component of the project, and council is not limited to moving forward with the No. 1 option presented by staff.
“There’s no shortage of ideas,” she said.
“It’s about creating a space that people want to be in.”
Snow acknowledged that council is aware of concerns regarding the loss of parking spaces. She noted that the Town of Kentville has 604 parking spaces, and there will still be some on-street parking and public lots behind the County of Kings Building, Town Hall, Gaspereau Press and by the arena.
“We are still working on options,” she said, stressing that council has a lot of information to consider.
Snow believes the proposed beautification work and bike lane would result in economic benefits.
“This is a real boon for us,” she said.
“There are days when people are just zooming through town and it’s really about slowing traffic down.”
Did you know?
The Town of Kentville is hosting a public meeting regarding the Webster Street Traffic Calming and Beautification Project from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 4 at the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department.
