(Report dated May 13, 1998, addressed to the Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council, from the Director, Road and Traffic Services, Works and Environment, Scarborough District.)

Subject:Allowing Parking on the South Side of McLevin Avenue, Scarborough Malvern

Purpose:

To address the need to allow some on-street parking on McLevin Avenue in the area of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto Mosque on the southwest corner of Markham Road and Nugget Avenue.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking/stopping restriction signs are available in the Road and Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72260.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the current parking regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

(2)the parking and stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and

(3)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Staff have investigated the parking generated by the mosque on numerous occasions over the past few years. Most recently, on Friday, March 20, 1998 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., we observed that as the mosque parking lot reached capacity, motorists tended to park in the residential community to the east of Markham Road, as well, some motorists took advantage of the paid parking provided in Kally=s parking lot on the northwest corner of Markham Road and Nugget Avenue. Unfortunately, many motorists simply ignored the No Parking Anytime restrictions and parked on both sides of Nugget Avenue, on the boulevard and on private property.

Discussion:

With motorists parked on the south side of Nugget Avenue, just west of Markham Road, not only did this create congestion, but it also blocked sightlines for motorists exiting the mosque parking lot and eliminated the area in front of the mosque which is valuable for dropping-off and picking-up passengers. We do not support permitting motorists to park in this sensitive area for these reasons.

We also examined the feasibility of allowing parking on the south side of McLevin Avenue, east of Markham Road. Currently, both sides of McLevin Avenue between Markham Road and Greenspire Road are posted with a No Parking Anytime prohibition. These signs were installed in 1987 due to occasional on-street parking generated by businesses on the north side of McLevin Avenue. In an effort to relieve some of the parking congestion in front of the mosque, we can accommodate some parking on the south side of McLevin Avenue.

Based on our investigations, we are proposing is that the No Parking Anytime restriction remain on the north side but the parking restriction only apply from Saturday to Thursday on the south side between Markham Road and Greenspire Road. However, to ensure that no vehicles are parked on the street during the p.m. rush hour on Fridays, or any other days, we are also recommending a No Stopping, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. restriction on the south side of the street. We will also post No Standing restrictions in the vicinity of the existing TTC bus stops.

Conclusions:

It is important to keep the area in front of the mosque clear of parked vehicles to maintain safe sight lines and create a pick-up and drop-off area for mosque patrons. By providing an alternative on McLevin Avenue for the excess parking, it is our intention to persuade the illegal parked vehicles away from the sensitive area in front of the church.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Investigations

Road and Traffic Services, Works and Environment, Scarborough District

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

(Copies of Appendices 1 and 2, referred to in the foregoing report, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

(Attachment is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

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