RE: REQUEST FOR ALTERNATE PARKING ON SILVERTHORN AVENUE OR A PORTION THEREOF.

(December 16, 1997) From the Commissioner of Operations Services, York Civic Service Centre

That the Uniform Traffic By-laws not be amended to reverse the current on-street parking regulation from the west to the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue;

Further, Mrs. Mary Curtis receive a copy of this report.

Works and Parks Committee, Report 16, Clause 144.10

Works and Parks Committee, at its meeting held on December 1, 1997, received a petition (Appendix I) through Mayor Frances Nunziata=s office requesting reversing the on-street parking from the west to the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue and passed the following motion:

Silverthorn Avenue is classified as a collector roadway between its southerly terminus and Trowell Avenue under the City of York Official Plan. Silverthorn Avenue provides two-way vehicular traffic flow in a north/south direction.

Residents on behalf Silverthorn Market located at 467 Silverthorn Avenue by petition are requesting consideration to reverse the on-street parking from the west to the east side of the street between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue. The petition states the reason for this request is to provide patrons the opportunity to park their vehicles without the risk of receiving a parking fine.

On-street parking is legally permitted on the west side of Silverthorn Avenue between Donald Avenue and Harlton Crescent, for a maximum duration of three (3) hours anytime.

Obviously, motorist=s stopping at the Silverthorn Market currently, must park on the opposite side of the street and walk across Silverthorn Avenue.

Committee at their meeting held on December 4, 1995, received a report in response to a reciprocal request from the owner of Silverthorn Market to reverse the parking from the west to the east side of the street. As previously reported, this parking regulation change would result in a loss of three (3) available curb side parking spaces, for customers, as well as the residents in the area.

We noted the problem currently is exclusive to motorists travelling north on Silverthorn Avenue, because on-street parking is prohibited on the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Donald Avenue and Harlton Crescent. Those customers who choose to stop momentarily on the east side of Silverthorn Avenue take the risk of being prosecuted. Wherein, lies the same risk by reversing the on-street parking from the west to the east side of the street, in addition to the loss of three (3) curb side parking spaces. In interpreting the petition we are not clear, if the request is to allow parking on both sides of the street. As Committee is aware, we do not support parking on both sides of any residential street, as the current pavement width does not provide for safe two-way vehicular flow. Because Silverthorn Avenue is a collector roadway, carrying higher vehicular volumes, is even more critical that two-way vehicular flow be unimpeded.

ALTERNATIVES AND RATIONALE:

(1) Outlined, within our previous report we had recommended the owner consider establishing boulevard parking directly in front of the business to serve his customers. This option continues to be available to the owner, requiring an application to Operations Services for commercial boulevard parking, subject to those conditions detailed in the report, as provided by the Director of Council Services and City Clerk in a letter to the owner dated June 7, 1996.

(2) Committee may wish to recommend reversing the on-street parking from the west to the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue, ignoring the loss of three (3) on-street curb side parking spaces and the continued risk to those motorists travelling southbound, who may momentarily stop on the west side and take the risk of parking illegally.

None required.

Reversing the legal on-street parking regulation from the west side to the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue does not resolve motorists obligation to ensure their vehicle is legally parked, but only transfer the risk.

Reversing the parking regulation will also result in a loss of three (3) on-street curb side parking spaces for the Silverthorn Market=s customers, as well as the residents of the area.

The Municipality cannot be expected to ignore public safety, for the convenience of motorists whose obligation it is to ensure their vehicle is legally parked. Additionally the owner does have an alternative option to provide commercial boulevard parking directly in front and alongside the flankage of his property, rather than transfer the risk to the opposite side of the street.

For these reasons we do not support nor recommend reversing the on-street parking regulation from the west to the east side of Silverthorn Avenue between Harlton Crescent and Donald Avenue.