July 3, 1998

  To:Toronto Community Council

 From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services

 Subject:Proposed closing to vehicular traffic of the public lane extending southerly from Queen Street West between Premises Nos. 567 and 571 Queen Street West (Downtown)

 Purpose:

 To obtain City Council authority to process the closing of the public lane situated between Premises Nos. 567 and 571 Queen Street West to vehicular traffic, in order to establish a pedestrian link to the Alex Wilson Community Garden Project.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 Funds in connection with the statutory processing of the proposal are accommodated in Parks Account No. 216-409.

 Recommendations:

 (1)That the public lane situated between Premises Nos. 567 and 571 Queen Street West, shown hatched on the attached Plan SYE2880, be stopped-up and closed to vehicular traffic and bollards be erected to enforce the due observance thereof;

 (2)That the lands shown hatched on the attached Plan SYE2880 be designated as a pedestrian walkway; and

 (3)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

 Background:

 The former Toronto City Council, at its meeting of October 6 and 7, 1997, adopted, as amended, Clause 99 in Executive Committee Report No. 23, regarding the Alex Wilson Community Garden Project, and directed, among other things, that the unnamed north/south lane between 567 and 571 Queen Street West be closed to vehicular traffic in order to provide for a pedestrian connection, with landscape improvements, between Queen Street West and Richmond Street West, such improvements to connect with the pathway constructed in the new Alex Wilson Community Garden.

 Comments:

 The subject lane is shown hatched on the attached Plan SYE2880. In order to close this lane to vehicular traffic, it will be necessary to install bollards at both ends of the lane and carry out adjustments to the sidewalk and curb on Queen Street West. The bollards will prevent the through passage of vehicles but still allow pedestrian traffic. It is also necessary to designate the lands as a pedestrian walkway under by-law.

 The cost to cover physical adjustments and statutory processing is estimated at $5,000.00. I have been advised by City Parks officials that funds to cover the cost of out-of-pocket expenses and other administration fees associated with the closing, are available in Account No. 216-409. The physical adjustments are minor in nature and can be carried out in connection with planned Works maintenance work in the area.

 This undertaking is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule "A" of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.

 Contact Name and Telephone Number:

 Laurie Robertson, Project Technician - Street and Lane Closings (392-7711)

Director

 LR/ja

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