Residents of Sharp Hill expressed their concerns to Rocky View County council May 14 during the Infrastructure and Operations Services Committee (IOSC) meeting about the ongoing traffic issues in their community.
Complaints about the increased traffic flow and speed, particularly on Stage Coach Lane and Sharp Hill Drive resulting from development in the East Balzac area, first came to the attention of staff in the Infrastructure and Operations Department in June 2011.
Following a survey done by County administration, council approved a motion Nov. 15, 2011, to develop a plan to reroute traffic around Sharp Hill providing an alternate access to eastbound Highway 566, and to post “Local Traffic Only” signs at the north and south entrances of the community.
Despite these efforts, local resident Bill Lefchafin asked council May 14, to continue pursuing solutions as he said the traffic condition is still an issue.
“I call it Stage Coach Expressway,” joked Lefchafin about his home on Stage Coach Lane, where he has lived since 1998.
He says main concerns are the amount of cars using the residential community as a short cut between Airdrie and CrossIron Mills mall and motorists not obeying the speed limit.
“If you drive through our neighbourhood, all you have to do is look at where the rubber marks are to know where the traffic flows,” said Lefchafin, adding the signs posted by the County had “little positive effects.”
Additional concerns are the litter being thrown on residents’ property, the increased noise and the amount of large industrial vehicles using the roads as a thruway.
“Folks will always take the path of least resistance and unfortunately that’s in front of our homes,” said one resident in an email Lefchafin collected from other Sharp Hill community members and read during his presentation.
Solutions suggested by residents during the Sharp Hill Traffic Review at the IOSC meeting included reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 35, installing speed bumps, blocking access to non-residents and developing a new direct road between CrossIron Mills and the city of Airdrie.
General Manager of Infrastructure and Operations Byron Riemann said administration has been considering many options to alleviate the problem, but wants more time to conduct further surveys in the community to allow all residents the opportunity to air their opinions.
“Before we try a solution, I want to make sure it has greater benefits than detrimental effects,” agreed Councillor Lois Habberfield.
She voiced several ideas for the committee and administration to think about and discuss, including the possibility of privatizing the roads through Sharp Hill and installing gates, as the only way to legally block access to non-resident drivers. She added that this would require the cost of the privatization and maintenance to be taken over by residents, and was unsure whether the majority of residents would want this.
Councillor Greg Boehkle suggested restricting access to large industrial vehicles in Sharp Hill through signage and enforcement. But Riemann noted it was important to investigate whether there was a need in the community for such vehicles, for example, residents dispatching as a home-based business. Council also wanted to survey whether the majority of Sharp Hill residents would want a speed reduction and to revert the yield sign on Stage Coach Lane to a stop sign, or if it would become an unwanted inconvenience.
Riemann suggested informing the public first before making any changes “to allow for public scrutiny.” An online survey will be posted on the County’s website for Rocky View County residents to vote and make comments.
Habberfield proposed and council approved a motion for administration to investigate solutions and present findings to the IOSC no later than the September meeting. In the meantime, Riemann said signage can be posted outside Sharp Hill and Airdrie to direct traffic to alternate routes.
