The Town of Amherstburg wants to see a Community Safety Zone extended in River Canard in the area of St. Joseph Church.
Town council moved forward with a motion put forth by Councillor Don McArthur to try and continue the existing Community Safety Zone along County Road 8 down South Riverview Dr. The motion calls for “the Town of Amherstburg work with the County of Essex to extend the Community Safety Zone boundaries to include all of the church property, especially the parking lots, and examine the intersection and corridor for safety improvements, including a potential speed limit reduction.”
McArthur noted the nearby bridge over the river will be marked by the county with signage celebrating its heritage, and he believed that could lead to additional traffic in the area who may be unfamiliar with it. He also stated it is “a crucial link” on the active transportation networks of Amherstburg and the county and links to the Town of LaSalle.
Donald and Sheila Petrozzi, who attend St. Joseph Church, spoke on the traffic issues near the church. Donald said they have had concerns for many years, noting there are forks heading left and right in front of the church. He said the speed limit on County Road 8 and South Riverview Dr. is 50 km/hr.
Entrances to the church are next to neighbouring St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and another off of South Riverview Dr.
“As the office site for our family of parishes – which includes Sacred Heart, St. Paul and St. Joe’s – we have staff and people coming and going seven days a week, I must say day and night,” he said. “Masses, meetings, buses out of our north parking lot and parents dropping off and picking up children twice daily.”
Donald Petrozzi said transport and dump trucks have increased in the area. Speeding is also an problem in River Canard, he told town council.
“While attending 9 a.m. mass on Wednesdays, Sheila and I have had close encounters trying to cross from the north parking lot over to the church sidewalk,” he said.
A nearby hedge is also causing vision concerns, he added.
Petrozzi said he and Father Dwayne Adam have almost had multiple collisions in the area.
More than one stop sign is needed in that area, Petrozzi believed.
“That’s all there is – one stop sign,” he said.
Petrozzi said the portion of South Riverview Dr. is requested to be a Community Safety Zone and the speed limit there dropped to 30 km/hr. Roadways near schools in LaSalle are 30 km/hr areas and Community Safety Zones.
“A traffic study by Amherstburg, LaSalle and the county must be done to correct this current situation before someone gets injured,” he said.
The Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment were thanked by Petrozzi, but he noted he was told they can’t always monitor the area due to having to deal with other parts of town as well.
Councillor Diane Pouget said she supported McArthur’s motion “100 per cent.”
“We have to do everything in our power to keep the residents and your parishioners safe,” she told Petrozzi.
McArthur believed there is an easy fix to a “complicated intersection.” He said those heading west on County Road 8 know they are in a Community Zone when they enter River Canard. He said that was instituted by the county and is only on County Road 8.
Extending the Community Safety Zone down South Riverview Dr., past the church and the park, was the fix suggested by McArthur. South Riverview Dr. is a local road under the umbrella of the town.
“If we can put folks on the moon, the county and Amherstburg can come together and extend that Community Safety Zone,” said McArthur.
McArthur said he would support a 30 km/hr speed limit, saying it is a “very dangerous intersection” with one stop signs but multiple points of access.
Cyclists, pedestrians, school buses and more use the intersection and McArthur wanted a traffic study as part of the examination of the intersection. He was unsure who had jurisdiction over who does the study but that it was between the county and the town.
“I fully support your motion,” said Councillor Molly Allaire. “This is wonderful.”
Town council also authorized $15,000 to come from the clerk’s professional fees to fund a review of a potential Community Safety Zone area. In August, McArthur presented a similar motion to look at a Community/School Safety Zone along Concession 3 North in River Canard.
“Ensuring a policy application is in place for how these areas are addressed, allows a consistent approach to managing the associated concerns in these areas and a uniform approach to all areas surrounding local schools,” clerk Kevin Fox wrote in a report to town council.
Mayor Michael Prue recalled a previous debate over crossing guards and that other traffic calming measures can be utilized.
“In the absence of having a crossing guard at every school, this is essential to making our kids safer,” he said of looking at a Community/School Safety Zone policy.
By Ron Giofu
Comments