September 2, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:A. Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation,

City Works Services

Subject:Review of impacts related to proposed closings of portions of Douro Street and Canniff Street - Massey-Ferguson Lands (Trinity Niagara)

Purpose:

To respond to a Toronto Community Council request at its meeting of July 22, 1998 for the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, to report on the possible closings of portions of Douro Street and Canniff Street in the Massey-Ferguson Lands.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

No funds are required in connection with this report.

Recommendations:

1. That in order to address potential traffic operations problems at the intersection of King Street West/Douro Street in the vicinity of Sudbury Street while maintaining access, and in a less costly manner than a full street closure, the following be adopted:

(a)The intersection of Douro Street and King Street West be restricted to right turns in and right turns out only in conjunction with the installation of the traffic signals at the Sudbury Street/King Street West intersection;

(b)The Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services monitor the operation of this intersection after the implementation of the right-in/right out restriction and, if appropriate, designate the section of Douro Street, south of King Street West, for one-way southbound operations to address any operational problems at this intersection;

OR

2. That in the event Council decides a street closure of Douro Street, south of King Street West is appropriate, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to initiate the formal closing process and report back to the Toronto Community Council, with such report to address design details, property implications and costs related to the proposal;

3. That the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in consultation with the Commissioners of Urban Planning and Development Services and Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, report further on the feasibility and implications of the proposed closing of Canniff Street, east of Crawford Street; and

4. That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of July 22, 1998, in considering a July 20, 1998 communication from Councillor Joe Pantalone (Agenda Item No. 106), requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, to report on the possible closing of portions of Douro Street and Canniff Street in the Massey-Ferguson Lands.

Comments:

The streets and blocks plan for the Massey-Ferguson Lands, generally located south of Adelaide Street West, west of Stafford Street and north of the CNR-CPR rail corridor, was established by the enactment of Zoning By-law No. 694-86 and related Schedules and Agreements. The street plan included, among other things, a new east-west street, Canniff Street, extending between Stafford Street and Crawford Street, and Douro Street, which extends north-westerly from Strachan Avenue adjacent to and immediately north of the rail corridor, thence northerly to intersect with King Street West, approximately 130 metres west of Shaw Street, as illustrated on the attached sketch (Drawing No. 421F-5244). Douro Street was also proposed to extend north of King Street West to intersect with Shank Street.

The former City of Toronto Council, at its meeting of September 23, 1997, adopted new Official Plan and Zoning By-laws for the Massey-Ferguson Lands, thereby permitting residential-commercial uses at reduced densities. In addition, the proposed residential development north of King Street West at Premises Nos. 12 and 15 Sudbury Street maintains the current alignment of Sudbury Street, rather than a realignment of this street to intersect with the northern section of Douro Street opposite Shank Street. The proposed closings of the subject sections of Douro Street and Canniff Street, which are discussed in further detail below, are intended to address possible traffic operational issues and the potential expansion of a proposed public park.

Closing of Douro Street

The approved Massey-Ferguson plan includes a 4-way intersection of Douro Street and King Street West, with Sudbury Street realigned to intersect with Douro Street, north of King Street West. However, the latest proposal, to maintain the existing alignment on Sudbury Street and to install traffic signals at the existing Sudbury Street/King Street West intersection in conjunction with the development at Premises Nos. 12 and 15 Sudbury Street, could create conflicts with turning movements at the existing Douro Street/King Street West intersection located immediately to the east. In particular, westbound queues forming at the traffic signals could block traffic turning left from northbound Douro Street to westbound King Street West thereby impacting on east-west traffic and transit operations.

The closing of Douro Street immediately south of King Street West would address these potential operational problems and, at the same time, create more pedestrian amenity space. However, the creation of a lengthy dead-end section of Douro Street to the west of Shaw Street has several drawbacks:

- it would require the creation of a turnaround facility at its terminus which has property implications;

- it would limit accessibility to and from King Street West, specifically for the adjacent properties and to the Massey Ferguson lands in general, including service and emergency vehicles; and

- it may encourage additional traffic northbound on Shaw Street through the residential neighbourhood.

The requirement for a turnaround area, in particular, is problematic due to the property requirements. Although the lands to the north of Douro Street are currently vacant, the land needed to provide a suitable turnaround facility, and associated acquisition costs, may be prohibitive. Consequently, alternative measures have been examined to address the potential operational problems that could result from the installation of traffic signals on King Street West at Sudbury Street. The intersection of Douro Street/King Street West could be restricted by signage and by-law to right-in/right-out only. This will eliminate the key turning conflict (i.e. northbound left turns), while maintaining direct access to King Street West. The eastbound right turn movement, which is forecast to become increasingly busier during the a.m. peak periods, will continue to be accommodated.

The Douro Street/King Street West intersection is already in place and therefore, there are no physical measures to preclude left turns at this location. In the event that there is a high incidence of illegal northbound left turns, thereby affecting operations on King Street West, further consideration could be given to converting the subject section of Douro Street to one-way southbound operations to discourage these illegal movements. Appropriate signs would have to be erected at the Shaw Street/Douro Street intersection indicating no exit to King Street West.

It is suggested, therefore, that rather than closing Douro Street, its intersection with King Street West be restricted to right-in/right-out only and if problems persist, as identified through a monitoring exercise, Douro Street be converted to one-way southbound immediately south of King Street West. Given the short time frame since the original request to review this matter, it has not been possible to establish a design for a formal closing or associated cost estimates. Should Council decide that this is the appropriate course of action, staff would undertake this level of assessment on the formal closing proposal and report back.

Closing of Canniff Street

The proposed closing of Canniff Street east of Crawford Street, as shown on the attached sketch, is not intended to address traffic operational issues but rather to provide an opportunity to enlarge the proposed public park at the south east corner of Crawford Street and King Street West. While the proposed closing would limit access to and from Crawford Street, there may be an opportunity to provide an adequate turnaround facility at the west terminus of Canniff Street. However, this turnaround facility may impact on the design and extent of additional park area, or on the Parcel 10b development block located immediately to the south. Furthermore, there would be no separation between the enlarged park and the private development on Parcel 10b which, in similar examples, has been a concern of staff.

While the closing of the subject section of Canniff Street has merit, further assessment is required to determine in more detail the impact of this closing on the design of the public park. Staff of Works and Emergency Services will develop preliminary designs of the proposed turnaround facility, in consultation with staff of the Parks and Recreation Division of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and report further to Toronto Community Council on a recommended course of action.

Staff of Urban Planning and Development Services were consulted in the preparation of this report and concur in its contents.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

John Mende, Manager

Development and Transportation

Infrastructure Planning and Transportation

392-7713

Director

JM/sah

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