The City of Portland optimized traffic signal timing at 135 intersections on 16 streets in Portland. This optimization work has resulted in saving motorists over 1,750,000 gallons of gas each year. This reduction in gasoline consumption is equivalent to 15,460 tons of CO2 each year.

I wonder how much gasoline we waste idling at horribly timed traffic lights and Milton’s aversion to right-turn-lanes (seriously, why do we not have dedicated right-turn lanes?)

As if it wasn’t bad enough to have major arterial roads where traffic doesn’t flow, neighbourhood roads like Scott Blvd have no traffic calming devices whatsoever.  When taking a neighbourhood road, like Scott Blvd, from Derry to Main is faster than traveling on major arterial roads then we know that planners messed up.  After two close calls on Scott Blvd I now drive my children to village square, which kills the purpose of having village squares that people can walk to.

I have been asking for traffic calming devices and signalled crosswalks near schools and parks.  Recently a 7 year old boy was hit by a vehicle while he rode his bike (and the vehicle promptly fled the scene, shame on the driver).  Fortunately the boy’s injury was not major but Scott Blvd is a disaster waiting to happen.

I went up to the council on May 10th asking for different things.  One of them were traffic calming devices.  We must figure out how to make traffic flow on major roads (by synchronizing traffic lights and putting dedicated right-turn-lanes) and we must figure out how to make neighbourhood roads pedestrian friendly (by adding traffic calming devices and signalled crosswalks).  It is borderline criminal to build high-density neighbourhood with busy roads and put parks and schools next to those roads without doing anything to make them safe for pedestrians.

Driving on Scott Blvd, with no traffic calming, is noticeably faster than driving on major arterial roads.  People should leave Scott Blvd to drive on Derry and Bronte, not the other way around.  I truly believe that we’ll have a pedestrian death on Scott Blvd unless something is done to control traffic. 

One of the first things I intend to do if I am elected is to make neighbourhood roads like Scott Blvd safe for pedestrians and to make arterial roads (like Derry) better for traffic flow. 

I have blogged about Milton losing its charm because of seemingly unplanned expansion.  A big part of that is out-of-character buildings popping up where they do not belong.  I sent this letter to the town about that.  Lets see what they say:

Dear Mayor and Councillors:

I am a new Miltonian, writing to express my concern about Milton bylaws allowing the construction of taller buildings in the town.  I am also troubled to learn that Milton currently has over a dozen 4-8 floor tall condominium apartments under planning application and construction all over the town.

I moved to Milton after spending a few years outside Canada.  I moved to Canada to work from home and as such, I could choose to live anywhere.  After researching different areas I picked Milton mostly because of its small-town character.  I am afraid that the seemingly unplanned sprawl of taller buildings is quickly destroying that character. One only has to drive through Mississauga or Brampton to see what taller buildings in otherwise low-rise neighbourhoods do to the make-up of the neighbourhood. 

I have lived in several cities that handle high population density gracefully without impacting their appeal.  Several cities in the State of Washington (Redmond, Bellevue, Issaquah) took different approaches that all define their characters well. Redmond does not allow any building taller than 3 stories whereas Bellevue concentrated tall buildings in a very walk-able downtown core with very wide walkways.  Issaquah designed an ‘Urban Village’ that maintains high density using smaller lots but shared neighbourhood spaces.  However, what is common in each case is that these cities planned their character up front and then implemented their vision well. 

I would like the town to immediately pass a bylaw restricting building heights to only 4 stories high.  Thereafter, the town should conduct proper planning to determine where taller buildings should go.  These buildings should be concentrated in a small urban core and placed in a way that is not only environmentally friendly, but is also aesthetically pleasing.  An online poll at http://tinyurl.com/rx48a7 confirmed that more than 80% of residents agree with my sentiments.  I feel that the town has a good financial incentive in enhancing its charm. A more appealing town will attract more future residents which is good for property values in the area and therefore, good for the town’s tax-base.  It may also attract more out-of-town visitors to Milton, providing a boost to businesses in the town.

I would like to see the town transform itself into a community that people pay a premium to move to, rather than a sprawl people pick temporarily because they cannot afford any other place in the GTA.  Milton is at the verge of transformation due to the explosive growth.  We can handle it gracefully, turning Milton into a vibrant city that further enhances its current charm or we can let builders call all shots, essentially making Milton indistinguishable from other communities in the GTA region. 

I hope we choose the former as the latter would be an irreversible mistake that would destroy the town’s character forever. I am looking forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Zeeshan Hamid

Thankfully, it’s not too late yet. Milton can maintain its charm and further enhance it.  But we are at the verge.  If we do not get a grip soon then I am afraid it will be too late!