16.Request to Reverse or Implement Alternate Side Parking on Lacey Avenue

 (February 17, 1998) From the Commissioner, Operations Services, York Civic Service Centre

 Purpose:

 York Community Council at its regular meeting held on January 21, 1998, requested a report on the feasibility of reversing or implementing alternate side parking on Lacey Avenue between Cameron Avenue and Ewart Avenue.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 None required.

 Recommendations:

 That York Community Council not approve reversing or implementing alternate side parking on Lacey Avenue between Cameron Avenue and Ewart Avenue.

 Council Reference/Background History:

 York Community Council, at its meeting held on January 21, 1998, received a report from the Commissioner, Operations Services, dated November 28, 1997, in response to a request from Mr. Raffaele Papa, 55 Lacey Avenue, to prohibit parking directly in front of his municipally addressed property to provide unobstructed sight when exiting his private driveway.

 As outlined within the Commissioner, Operations Service=s report, parking is prohibited in front of and within 60 cm of a legal driveway. This is a standard regulation contained within the Uniform Traffic By-law to reduce sign clutter, as well as save tax dollars. In considering the request, a field investigation revealed there is sufficient curb space between his driveway and his neighbours to legally park a single motor vehicle, without impeding into the 60 cm setback. The report concluded by prohibiting on-street parking at this location would eliminate a legal curb side parking space for local residents or their visitors and therefore was not recommended.

 Subsequently, York Community Council requested we review and report on reversing on-street parking to the west side of Lacey Avenue or implementing alternate side parking.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 Lacey Avenue is a local street traversing in a north/south direction between Cameron Avenue and Ewart Avenue. The street provides two-way traffic flow.

On-street parking is exclusively permitted on the east side of the street. The parking duration is a maximum three (3) hour regulation, except during the hours of 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. when on-street permit parking is in effect for only those vehicles displaying a valid permit stating Lacey Avenue.

 Field surveys reveal there is a total complement of eighteen (18) and eight (8) curbside parking spaces available on the east and west sides of Lacey Avenue, respectively.

 Conclusions:

 As the field survey reveals, reversing on-street parking to the west side or implementing alternate side parking on Lacey Avenue is not practical, due to the disproportionate number of legal curb side parking spaces on the east side versus the west side of the street.

 We constantly receive requests to erect parking prohibitions in front of, or between driveways, from local residents. On-street curb side parking is a direct benefit to all local residents of any street, providing additional parking relief for visitors or multiple vehicular ownership. Obviously any reduction in the total complement of legal curb side parking spaces has a direct impact on the overall parking needs of all local residents on any street.

 Contact Person:

 Stephen C. Brown

Manager Traffic/Parking

394-2655

394-2888 (fax)