October 29, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Walmer Road, from Bloor Street West to a point 70 metres north - Parking conditions. (Ward 23 - Midtown)

Purpose:

To reduce the frequency of illegal parking on both sides of Walmer Road, north of Bloor Street West.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That stopping be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Walmer Road from Bloor Street West to a point 70 metres north; and

(2)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:

In response to a request from the Toronto Police Service, Parking Enforcement Unit, Works staff investigated the feasibility of implementing a ANo Stopping@ zone on Walmer Road, north of Bloor Street West, to reduce the incidence of illegal parking on both sides of the street.

Walmer Road from Bloor Street West to Lowther Avenue operates two-way and has a pavement width of 7.3 metres. Parking is prohibited at anytime on both sides of the street.

The Toronto Transit Commission is currently undertaking modifications to the Spadina Station to accommodate the Spadina Light Rail Transit and more specifically are constructing a new automatic entrance to the station on the east side of Walmer Road approximately 70 metres north of Bloor Street West. After consultation with staff of the Toronto Transit Commission, it has been determined that this construction should be completed within a twelve month period.

During the construction period, Walmer Road from Bloor Street West to a point 70 metres north will be operating one-way southbound to accommodate pavement width restrictions associated with the construction.

A review of the parking conditions has revealed that motorists are parking and/or stopping on the roadway, and sometimes over the sidewalks, on both sides of Walmer Road in proximity to Bloor Street West to shop at the various retail stores. This parking practise creates a bottleneck for vehicles attempting to access/egress the intersection and compromises the safety of pedestrians crossing Walmer Road.

To rectify this situation, stopping should be prohibited on both sides of Walmer Road, from Bloor Street West to a point 70 metres north thereof. This proposal, if implemented, should not interfere with current retail loading operations which can now take place from Bloor Street West during non-rush period times.

Accordingly, should Recommendation No. 1 above be implemented, signs to give effect to the stopping prohibition on both sides of Walmer Road will be posted upon completion of the scheduled work. In addition, as requested by Councillor Ila Bossons, bollards will be installed in conjunction with the ANo Stopping@ zone to further deter illegal parking north of the intersection.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Thomas L. McCulloch, 392-7771

Traffic Investigator

Director

TLM/tm/sah

(p:\1998\ug\cws\ipt\to980210.ipt) - acb