Every time a new stop sign is installed in the Town of of Innisfil, the Stop Sign Bylaw is amended – resulting in an unwieldy and difficult-to-use bylaw that may not reflect the “real world,” according to a staff report presented to council on Wednesday night.
Staff proposed a new Consolidated Stop Sign By-law, consolidating all of the amendments and eliminating errors, duplications, and intersections no longer within the municipality.
The last time the bylaw was consolidated was in 2006, when the population stood at 31,000.
Since then, Innisfil’s ‘Moratorium lands’ have been absorbed by Barrie, new streets and subdivisions have been built within the municipality, and the population has grown to over 36,000.
The report noted that there are over 650 controlled intersections in Innisfil – controlled by traffic lights, stop signs or yield signs. As part of the background study, staff reviewed each location “on desk,” and actually visited others to confirm conditions.
They found that 232 of the existing stop signs were not included in the original 2006 bylaw, and that there are six uncontrolled intersections in the municipality, where there are neither lights nor signs indicating the right of way.
Although the Traffic Act allows for uncontrolled intersections, staff warned that there is a question of liability, and proposed converting the intersections from uncontrolled to controlled through the addition of stop signs.
The proposal calls for new stop signs to be added at intersections that include Goodfellow Avenue and Crystal Beach Road, Arnold Street and Sheppard’s Trail, and Pinegrove Avenue and Cove Avenue.
The report also suggested transforming 11 yield-controlled intersections into stop sign-controlled intersections, and some two-way stops into all-way stops. Among the intersections that will be converted into all-way stops are Park Road and Alderslea; Alderly Avenue/Lakeview Road/Big Bay Point Road; Quarry Road and Angus Street; and Claver Avenue and Frederick Street.
In all, the report recommended the installation of 21 new stop signs – as well as temporary “New” starburst signage warning motorists of the changes. Estimated cost of the signage is $8,000, with the funds to come from the 2021 Operating Budget.
Council voted to approve the new Consolidated Stop Sign Bylaw 049-21.
