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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