February 18, 1998

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Andrew Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation,

City Works Services

Subject: Piper Street, both sides, from York Street to the easterly end - Prohibition of stopping at anytime and provision of a commercial "Loading Zone". (Downtown)

Purpose:

This proposal is intended to deter illegal parking and to enhance safety for motorists/pedestrians on the street and delineate a commercial "Loading Zone" at the rear of the Royal York Hotel to provide for curb-side loading and unloading of merchandise.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Installation costs and annual maintenance fees for the loading zone are the responsibility of the applicant (CP Hotels).

Recommendations:

(1) That the parking prohibition at anytime on the north side of Piper Street, from York Street to the easterly end, be rescinded;

(2) That the parking prohibition at anytime on the south side of Piper Street, from York Street to the easterly end, be rescinded;

(3) That stopping be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Piper Street, from York Street to the easterly end;

(4) That stopping be prohibited at anytime on the south side of Piper Street, from York Street to a point 25.0 metres east;

(5) That a commercial loading zone to operate at anytime be approved, subject to the payment of appropriate fees by the applicant, on the south side of Piper Street, from a point 25.0 metres east of York Street to a point 15.0 metres west of the easterly end of the street; and

(6) That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

Comments:

At the request of Mr. David Beeby, Stores Manager, Royal York Hotel and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Kyle Rae, I have investigated prohibiting stopping at anytime on the north side of Piper Street, from York Street to the easterly end to deter illegal parking and to improve sight lines for motorists/pedestrians, and to provide a commercial "Loading Zone" on the south side of the street (at the rear of the Royal York Hotel, Premises No. 100 Front Street West) to provide a curb-side delivery facility.

Piper Street has a pavement width of 8.2 metres and operates one-way eastbound. Parking is prohibited at anytime on both sides of the street and signs to that effect are clearly posted. The street provides access to parking/loading facilities at adjacent buildings.

The Highway Traffic Act enables a vehicle while actually engaged in loading/unloading merchandise or passengers to legally do so in an area prohibited to parking. The existing parking regulations on Piper Street enable such activities from both sides of the street. However the narrowness of the street presents a problem in this instance, often resulting in congestion, obstruction of the roadway and poor sight lines.

To rectify these problems, a more stringent stopping prohibition at anytime should be implemented on the north side of Piper Street, from York Street to the easterly end and on the south side of Piper Street, from York Street to a point 25.0 metres east. In conjunction therewith, a "Loading Zone" could be delineated on the south side of Piper Street (at the rear of the Royal York Hotel), from a point 25.0 metres east of York Street to a point 15.0 metres west of the east end of the street, contingent upon the Royal York Hotel complying with payment of the appropriate fees and approval being granted by Council.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, 392-7771,

Director.

CR/cr