A subdivision in Tay Township might be getting closer to finalizing its next phase.
Tatham Engineering project manager Michael Buske attended a recent council committee meeting to submit plans for a request made by the township around revised engineering drawings for the Lovejoy subdivision.
The changes included converting the curb and gutter on the north side of the road to a ditch and eliminating the sidewalk on Lovejoy Street.
The township engineer provided preliminary comments in February and did not support the change citing that Anderson Crescent was now an urban cross-section. Urban cross-sections are characterised by the presence of curb and gutter that define the edge of the road and sidewalks, which add more complexity for urban designs.
In response, Tatham Engineering is suggesting a plan to include a sidewalk on the south side of the road, ending at the stormwater management pond, since there is currently no existing sidewalk on the west end of Lovejoy Street.
"We're at a stage where we'd like to finish off this last phase of development," said Buske talking to council.
Coun. Barry Norris asked for clarification, trying to understand the situation.
"The original design was approved by the municipality and with the south side of the road for stormwater sewer and a sidewalk," he said. "The latest is that they were looking for both sidewalks, curb and gutter both sides of the road. Is that what the delay seems to be?"
Buske confirmed that was it as well as work to be done in the swim pond.
"If the original design was accepted what's brought us to this point?" said Norris.
Buske said the previous phase included an urban cross-section.
"For phase four, the existing part of Lovejoy (Street) out to the main road is a rural cross-section," he explained. "We were still proposing to have a semi-urban and rural cross-section. The south side would have a curb on it and north side would be allowed to have a ditch. This would also coincide with the original plan as the subdivision was first approved as having ditches throughout.
"That would allow the water on the north side to continue on to the existing swale or ditch and not go into the swim pond," added Buske. "By continuing to allow us a ditch on the north side, we would be in compliance with the overall plan of the subdivision."
Council directed staff to look into the suggestion by Tatham and bring back a staff report in the new year.
