8.5.1 7-8 Corridor Study Comments

COUNTY OF PERTH

8.5.1

REPORT TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT:

County Council Bentley Ehgoetz, Director of Public Works October 2, 2008 Highway 7&8 Transportation Corridor Planning and Class EA Study

BACKGROUND Council directed staff to bring back a report outlining comments that County Council could forward to the Ministry of Transportation and their consultant for their consideration when evaluating the Highway 7&8 transportation corridor alternatives. COMMENTS With assistance from the Director of Planning the following comments have been compiled as items that should be consider by the MTO and their consultants when evaluating the Highway 7&8 corridor alternatives. 1) The need for an improved Highway 7&8 corridor between New Hamburg and Stratford is required for current and future needs of the surrounding area. 2) The EA should consider the use of the existing 7&8 corridor, existing County and local roads, a new transportation corridor and/or a combination of any of these options which will consider not only the safe and efficient movement of current and future traffic but the impacts on the current land uses and designations as per the County OP and the Provincial Policy Statements 3) The improvement to rail and transit should also be considered to assist in reducing current and future highway corridor needs. 4) The majority of the land in the EA study area is designated as “Agriculture” under the County Official Plan. One of the goals of the County OP is to ensure prime agricultural land is protected and preserved for the production of food, fibre and fuel. 5) The majority of the soils in the study area are considered Class 1, 2 and 3(soil capability for agriculture) according to the Canadian Land Inventory and are considered to be prime farmland. 6) Approximately 9% of the County is covered by woodland. There are a number of woodlots within the corridor study area. The County OP designates all woodlands 1 hectare and larger as “Natural Resource/Environmental”. The policies of the OP are aimed at protecting and preserving the remaining “Natural/Environmental” areas within the County. The County’s Forest Conservation Bylaw reinforces the County’s efforts in this area. 7) The Little Lakes area east of Stratford has been classified as a Provincially Significant Wetland and is one of the features designated and protected under the “Natural/Environmental” designation of the County OP. 8) The County OP policies pertaining to agriculture and natural resource lands appear to be consistent with the Province’s Provincial Policy Statement on planning issues. 9) The projected traffic volumes for the study area need to be based on the projected growth for the Perth County area along the study area. 10) The farming operations in the study area are a significant part of the County of Perth.

CONCLUSION The selection process of the future Highway 7&8 corridor must considered the current and future needs of the corridor and the safe and efficient movement of traffic plus weigh these factors against the impact the selected route will have on farmland, woodlots, wetlands, urban areas, natural and environmental features, commentaries, historical sites, etc. RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL REPORT

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THAT a letter be forwarded to the MTO and the consultants of “Highway 7&8 Transportation Corridor Planning and Class EA Study” outlining the comments as per the attached report. REFERENCE MATERIAL ATTACHED:

REVIEWED BY: Director

Ria Colquhoun, CAO