August 26, 1998

To:North York Community Council

From:Joe Halstead

Commissioner

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Broadlands Community Centre Parking Lot - Ward 11

Purpose:

Two residential properties were purchased in 1998 for the purpose of developing needed parking facilities at the Broadlands Community Centre. Reacting to concerns expressed by the local residents, Parks and Recreation staff embarked on a new community consultation process which resulted in recommendations for a different set of parking alternatives, and the opportunity to return the two purchased properties to the re-sale residential market.

Source of Funds:

The development of a modified parking area (Recommendation 3) will cost an estimated $95,000 with funding coming from designated current and capital budgets. The sale of the two residential properties originally purchased at a cost of $547,020, will result in comparable funds returning to the City's Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)plans be abandoned for the demolition of the acquired properties at 23 and 25 Castlegrove Boulevard, for a parking lot;

(2)the two subject properties be offered for re-sale, with the proceeds credited to the Parkland Acquisition Reserve Account;

(3)an eighteen space parking area be created on the east side of Castlegrove Boulevard, along side the existing artificial ice rink;

(4)negotiations be undertaken regarding a possible agreement with officials of the neighbouring Grace Memorial Church for the use of their parking area by patrons of Broadlands Community Centre and Park; and

(5)the appropriate City officials take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Typical of facilities built in the 1950's and 1960's, Broadlands Artificial Ice Rink and Community Centre were intended for use by local residents who could walk to their neighbourhood facility. Parking facilities were frequently not provided at these types of public recreation facilities. When the Broadlands facility was upgraded and expanded in 1993, funds were limited, and the parking lot was eliminated from the re-construction plan.

Users and usage, however, have changed over the years, resulting in a critical lack of parking for a very heavily used year round recreation facility. Predominant regular users of Broadlands include senior adults, preschoolers, children with their families, and persons who have physical challenges or disabilities.

In the fall of 1997, funds were made available through the Parkland Acquisition Fund in the former City of North York, to purchase residential properties to the north of Broadlands Community Centre, for the purpose of developing the required parking facilities. This plan was approved by City Council and the purchase of two properties at a cost of $547,020, was concluded early in 1998, through the services of an independent agent.

Following the purchase of the properties, some local residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the plan, citing concerns about the demise of the character of their neighbourhood through the destruction of homes and the general economy of the plan. A public meeting of the Broadlands Community Centre Advisory Council followed on April 29, 1998 during which residents were provided with detailed plans for the parking lot development and were asked to express their views on the subject. Consultation also took place with the Ward Councillor.

Following the April 29 meeting, a moratorium was placed on the development, to allow an ad hoc task group through the Advisory Council to receive and consider information regarding parking alternatives and general standards and practices for provision of parking amenities in the City of Toronto. The recommendations of the ad hoc task group and the Advisory Council were conveyed to the Parks and Recreation Division on July 2, 1998. The resulting recommendations now before the North York Community Council were shared with the Broadlands community in a public open house on July 28, 1998.

The recommended plan proposes to develop eighteen parking spots on existing City property. It further proposes to negotiate with a local church situated south of the community centre, to share the church parking lot with community centre users. The plan also recommends returning the two residential properties to the public market, with proceeds from the re-sale of the homes going to the Parkland Acquisition Fund.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

About fifty residents attended the July 28 information sharing event hosted by the Parks and Recreation Division. Comment cards were distributed to all in attendance and thirty-three cards were returned to the Division. Twenty-three of these respondents strongly agreed with the proposed action plan to develop a small parking lot along the side of the rink on the east side of Castlegrove Boulevard. An additional seven respondents agreed but expressed concerns regarding traffic and pedestrian safety. (These concerns will be discussed with officials of the Transportation Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department). Three disagreed with the proposal.

The cost of $95,000 to develop the recommended site is equivalent to the cost of the originally proposed northern site. However, there is no cost to purchase land as the site is already part of the existing complex. In addition, the re-sale of the two residential properties will re-imburse the Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund from which the original purchase was made. Some residents expressed their belief that this plan is more fiscally responsible.

Conclusions:

The recommended plan provides much needed parking amenities at the Broadlands Community Centre, while still preserving the private homes and the character of the neighbourhood.

Contact Name:

Gary W. Stoner

District Lead - North

Parks and Recreation

Telephone:395-6190

Fax:395-0105

E-mail:gwstoner@north-york.on.ca

______________________

Joe Halstead

Commissioner

Economic Development,

Culture and Tourism

BS:sf