The Central Planning Authority has ordered the developer of a planned revamp of the Westin hotel property to carry out a traffic impact assessment into its proposal for off-site parking and pedestrian crosswalks at the site on West Bay Road.
Invincible Investments Corporation has applied to build a new 10-storey hotel called The Vic, which would be a part of the Marriott Autograph Collection franchise, next door to the Westin, in the area which currently houses Ferdinand’s restaurant. The company is also applying for permission for a new conference centre on the northern end of the property.
Joe Gould, representing Invincible, requested the CPA, at a 12 Oct. meeting, grant permission for a variance on the planning regulations which require most parking to be available on-site. He asked for more than 90% of the parking spaces to be located across the road from the Westin, approximately 516 feet away, arguing that those spaces could also be used by customers of the restaurants and shops at The Falls.
Gould said this plan, which would involve creating a high-visibility, pedestrian-friendly crossing area for guests of the hotels and conference centre, could be considered a vanguard for turning West Bay Road into the tourism corridor that is envisioned under the National Roads Authority’s ‘Complete Streets’ plan, and which was intended once the road’s speed limit was reduced to 25 miles per hour, after the Esterley Tibbetts Highway opened.
According to its latest released minutes, the CPA adjourned the application until a traffic impact assessment has been submitted.
The planning board said in the minutes, “The applicant is required to submit a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) based on the requirements of the National Roads Authority and approved by the Central Planning Authority. The Assessment will assist the Authority in making a fully informed decision regarding traffic impact, including the proposed off-site parking, and the pedestrian/vehicular interface along West Bay Road.”
The board said the terms of reference of the impact assessment must be approved by both the National Roads Authority and the Central Planning Authority prior to commencement of the study.
In its response to the planning application, the National Roads Authority had noted that the impact of a proposed 10-storey hotel and a new conference centre would likely have a “moderate to significant” impact on traffic on West Bay Road and the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, and said the CPA may wish to consider asking the applicant to do a “simple” traffic impact assessment to ascertain how the proposed upgrades would affect the surrounding road system.
“The applicant has proposed to work in conjunction with the NRA to upgrade West Bay
Road using the accepted Complete Street concept. This is a good basis in which to
handle the increase in traffic that will occur with this proposed project,” the NRA stated.
The authority also said that the ‘Complete Streets’ concept “in theory and as proposed along West Bay Road by the applicant is acceptable to the NRA. We will work closely with the applicant to advise and provide any necessary input on what we feel is best suited for West Bay Road.
“The crossing(s) as part of the Complete Streets Project will need to go to the Traffic
Management Panel for ultimate approval.”
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