Home

Details
Category: Uncategorised
Hits: 782

 

 

Subject: Fwd: (External Email) Pear Street Traffic - August 11th, 2021

 

Hello Pear Street Neighbours

 

As promised in our previous e-mail.  

 

Dave and Paula Hames

250.595.8271

Begin forwarded message:

From: Harley Machielse <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: September 22, 2021 at 2:39:26 PM PDT
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject: RE: (External Email) Pear Street Traffic - August 11th, 2021

 

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Hames,

 

In addition to the letter you would have received from ATC, I can provide the following information.

 

In our review of Pear St we feel the North/South crossing at Thistle is an important connection to the Elementary school to improve in the short-term. This will allows us to incorporate traffic calming improvements for Pear St in the design. The Transportation Team will be working in the next few months to develop this design for construction next summer. As you can imagine we have a number of projects in the queue for both design and construction so it does take time for us to work through a new initiative. Once we have a better sense of what the improvements will look like we will reach out to share the details. This may not be until the new year based on existing priorities and resources.

 

In the medium term, the Active Transportation Plan identifies Pear street for upgrades between Shelbourne and Thistle. This is likely 5-8 years away. As a result, we will be looking to use some quick build techniques for the improvement described above until we can make the permanent improvements in the medium term. This will allow us evaluate the design and see if any alterations are needed prior to the permanent work.


As part of the Shelbourne Street Improvement Project (Phase II – construction to begin summer 2022), we will be removing the northbound Shelbourne left turn bay at Pear street and installing No Left during rush hour signs. This in combination with some signal modifications will help reduce traffic from using Pear during these periods. We recognize this may be an inconvenience for residents but will help reduce the shortcutting that is happening during the peak period.

 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Regards,
Harley

 

 

From: Dave Hames [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:52 PM
To: Engineering <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Harley Machielse <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Cc: Fred Haynes <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Susan Brice <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Judy Brownoff <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Nathalie Chambers <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Karen Harper <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Rebecca Mersereau <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Colin Plant <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Ned Taylor <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: (External Email) Pear Street Traffic - August 11th, 2021

 

 

   This email sent from outside the District of Saanich. Use caution if message is unexpected or sender is not known to you.

 

August 11th 2021

 

Engineering Department

District of Saanich

3500 Blanshard St.
Victoria, BC V8X 1W3

 

Attention: Harley Machielse, Director of Engineering

 

Subject; Traffic on Pear Street

 

Let me introduce ourselves.  We are Dave and Paula Hames.  We have lived at 1564 Pear Street since 1988.  As you are aware, this neighbourhood is, dare I say, reasonably affordable. It’s close to schools, UVic, parks, senior living, basic shopping, banking, medical services and all within walking distance.  In the 33 years we have seen a lot of change and understand it happens.  However, the traffic that has been diverted onto Pear Street is destructive, totally unacceptable and easily mitigated or reduced.

 

We first brought this issue to the attention of Colin Doyle in Feb of 2014.  Since then, the traffic has progressively gotten worse.  We have approached this issue by writing letters to the Mayors (Atwell and Haynes), Councilors, the Director of Engineering and his staff.   We held a neighbourhood meeting, attended by Mayor Atwell, submitted a petition of protest, requested traffic surveys and had many phone conversation with engineering staff including yourself and David Sparanese.  We also had an in-office meeting with then Mayor Atwell and in home meeting with then Councilor Haynes.  Over this period all we accomplished was the installation ‘No Truck’ signs.  These signs are poorly place, inconspicuous and largely ignored.  The pat answer was always to refer the issue to the Administrative Traffic Committee.  They deemed it not to be a problem and because the vehicle count was well within the acceptable limits of a residential street no action was necessary.  We believe traffic now well exceed these limits.

 

A Little history may help in understanding how we got to where we are today.  The safety/traffic devises at Pear and Shelbourne went from a simple painted crosswalk to a flashing amber light, to ‘cats eyes’ alerting motorist of the crosswalk, to pedestrians activated red light push button, to cyclist activated red light push button and to the now a full 4 way traffic light.   The traffic on Pear was further encouraged with the removal 2 lanes on Cedar Hill Cross between Shelbourne and Richmond, the realignment of Popular at Pear to further encouraging traffic towards Pear.  The installation of a stop sign on Thistle at Pear further indicates that Pear is now a ‘secondary’ street and not a ‘residential’ street.

 

In view of the apparent increase in traffic, with trucks totally ignoring the ‘No Trucks’ sign, the amount of pedestrian use with no sidewalks, the damage to the road surface, speed and frequency of vehicles, noise, general safety and destruction to the neighbourhood, we believe another assessment is in order and long overdue.

 

Because the high traffic volumes, excessive speeds and shortcutting has impacted the safety, livability and character of the neighbourhood, I am asking Saanich prior to referring the issue once again to the Administrative Traffic Committee;

  1. Conduct a current vehicle survey that includes frequency, speed, type and volume;
  2. Enforce the ‘No Truck’ bylaw;
  3. Conduct onsite observations to fully understand the safety threat to residents, pedestrians, cyclists and Doncaster students as a result of the traffic including large trucks that are illegally using the street;
  4. Undertake a traffic management action plan as per section 8.16 of the Shelbourne Local Area Plan.

 

Over the years we have requested/suggested means to restore this residential area to a calm, safe and quiet neighbourhood.  These included removal of the traffic light at Shelbourne, no access off Shelbourne, one-way street, local traffic only, speed bumps, reduced speed limit, extend Doncaster school zone, ban trucks, block off through traffic and put in sidewalks.  Admitting, some of these are extreme but all should be given due consideration. 

Pear between Shelbourne and Cedar Hill has now a ‘secondary road’ and no longer a residential street and like mentioned above, further demonstrated by the installation of a stop sign at Thistle.

 

Many areas have experienced similar traffic issue and have received remedial action in one form or another.  We list some examples;

  • Doncaster from Derby to North Dairy – Speed humps, calming structure at Ocean View, no access off North Dairy,
  • Cedar-  closed at Thistle,
  • Ophir - closed between Elm and Pear,
  • Church – speed hump,
  • Elm – closed at Shelbourne,
  • Frechette – closed at Lansdowne,
  • Service, Carman, Aldridge and Kingsley  no access off Lansdowne

           

Our hopes, at minimum, are that steps be taken to reduce the car traffic, remove trucks by enforcing current prohibition, reduce speed down from 50 to 30 kph, provide safe passage for pedestrian and most importantly return the street to residential access only.   

 

I know I speak for most of the residents on Pear and Thistle but because our previous pleas have not resulted in any action, they have essentially and unfortunately ‘thrown in the towel’ 

 

Thank you and look forward to a favourable resolution to the issue.

 

 

Dave and Paula Hames

1564 Pear Street

250.595.8281

 

cc

Details
Category: Uncategorised
Hits: 795

Hello Neighbours. 

 

Let us reintroduce ourselves.   We live at 1564 Pear and have for several years have been asking  Saanich to deal with the cut-through traffic.    Several of you have also wrote to Saanich, attended our block meeting with then Mayor Atwell, signed a petition among other initiatives   Nothing has happen.

 

After a few years of watching and experiencing the further degradation of our neighbourhood, we again contacted  Director of Engineering, the Mayor and all the Councillors.

Below is a response from the Administrative Traffic Committee which we are happy to share with you.  I also have a response from Mr. Machielse complete with our original letter which I will forward in a separate e-mail.  

 

Maybe just maybe we’ll see some improvement.  Please feel free to share the information with anyone we may have missed.

 

We hope this note finds you safe and well.

 

Dave and Paula Hames

ATCResponse_PearSt.pdf

Details
Category: Uncategorised
Hits: 986

On February 22, 2018 a group of concerned Pear Street residents met with Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell. The meeting went well with his worship listening to the issues and gathering information. As well he offered the group information on how we could further our cause with Saanich Council. He was a bit surprised about the extent of the issue as well as the fact that a previous petition addressed to himself was not received by him.

The group discussed what options we could utilize to achieve a safe street again. It was decides that a combination of methods were needed to reach the objectives. These include passive and active solutions. The three proposed methods are:

  • Reduce the speed limit to 30 km/hr from Shelbourne to Cedar Hill
  • Turn the intersection at Thistle and Pear Street into a three way stop
  • Install speed humps (not bumps) in three spots on the street (as per Canadian traffic standards for the desired speed)

It is felt the combination of methods will serve several purposes:

  • Reduce the overall speed on the street more in line with the multiuse profile of the street
  • Make the street safer by reduction of volume of people using the street (Rat Race) as a shortcut
  • Provide the Police a tool for enforcement in the lower speed limit
  • For people that insist on speeding on the street the speed humps will provide a less than subtle reminder that this is a residential street

 We started a petition in support of these options with significant support happening at the meeting. The petition is currently being circulated for all residents to participate in. If you haven’t signed it and want to or want more information contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details
Category: Uncategorised
Hits: 1146

Pear Street is a mixed residential street in Saanich, British Columbia Canada. Pear Street runs between Richmond Road and Cedar Hill Street, transected by Shelbourne Street.

Pear Street predates Shelbourne Street and used to be the primary route between the Cedar Hill area and Mount Tolmie.

There are approximately 50 single family residents on Pear Street with the houses ranging in age from the 1920, to the 1990's with most being in the late 1950's and early 1960's when the area transitioned from being farm land.  Residents range from young families to retired people with some families having been in residence on the street for over 40 years.

Pear Street is one street over from Doncaster Elementary School and is also a designate bike route to UVic. The street is used extensively by school children, pedestrians and cyclists as well as residents accessing their homes.

Pear Street is a single lane un-regulated street except at the intersections of Richmond, Popular, Shelbourne and Cedar Hill.

Recently (the last 5 years) a traffic light at Shelbourne was converted to from a Pedestrian Crosswalk light to a full traffic signal triggered by vehicles approaching Shelbourne on Pear Street. The addition of this traffic light has caused issues with excessive volume and speed on the section of Pear Street running between Shelbourne and Cedar Hill. This includes heavy commuter traffic (Rat Race scenario) an people trying to "beat the lights" at Cedar Hill and Shelbourne. The result is Pear Street has become unsafe for other usage such as pedestrians and cyclists as well as creating risks for vehicle accidents.

 

Details
Category: Uncategorised
Hits: 1317

A website dedicated to Pear Street Residents - for discussion of issues, events and information

New! Discussion forum for Pear Street Residents for traffic safety, other Pear Street topics or whatever you wish to discuss - email us for details on how to get set up!

Note this forum will be moderated - foul language, inappropriate, hateful or disrespectful content will not be tolerated!

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • You are here:  
  • Home