Introduction of Parking Prohibition - Westmore Drive.

The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April  1,  1998)  from the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke:

Purpose:

To propose the introduction of a parking prohibition on Westmore Drive between Brownridge Crescent (south intersection) and Finch Avenue West.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the installation of the appropriate regulatory signage are allocated in the Transportation Department's Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) parking be prohibited on the west side of Westmore Drive from the south limit of Brownridge Crescent to Finch Avenue between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday; and

(2) the appropriate by-law (Attachment No. 1) be amended accordingly.

Background:

The Transportation Department is in receipt of a petition from the residents of Westmore Drive (Attachment No. 2 ) requesting the introduction of a daytime parking prohibition for the west side of Westmore Drive between Brownridge Crescent (south intersection) and Finch Avenue West .

The forty-five (45) affected residents of Westmore Drive residing between Brownridge Crescent (south intersection) and Finch Avenue West were polled by letter to obtain their views on this proposal (Attachment No. 3 ). There were twenty-two (22) respondents to the poll: eighteen (18) were in favour of the proposal and four (4) opposed. A map of the area is Attachment No. 4 .

Discussion:

Westmore Drive is a two lane roadway; parking is permitted on the west side of the street for a maximum period of three hours. Land use in the immediate vicinity is predominantly residential.

Council for the City of Etobicoke, at its meeting held on September 6, 1994, approved By-Law No. 1994-148 to prohibit parking on the east side of Westmore Drive between Brownridge Crescent (south intersection) and Finch Avenue West. This was the result of a complaint from the Waste Management Division regarding vehicles being parked on both sides of the street in such a manner that waste collection trucks were often obstructed and could not collect waste effectively. The introduction of this parking restriction made waste collection much more efficient.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the high incidence of on-street parking in this area.

Approximately ten years ago, daytime parking regulations were introduced on the residential streets on the west side of Highway 27, in the immediate area around Humber College, North Campus. Students of the college parked their vehicles on these streets throughout the day to avoid paying parking fees on campus. This problem has now moved to the residential streets on the east side of Highway 27, compounding an ongoing parking problem in the area caused by patients and visitors to Etobicoke General Hospital and the Medical Centre parking on Westmore Drive to avoid paying parking at these medical facilities. A staff review of this issue clearly indicates that daytime parking on Westmore Drive is a problem. Periodic police enforcement initiatives have been ineffective in rendering a long-term solution.

Conclusion:

Based on the staff investigation of this matter and the favourable consensus of the affected residents, Council's endorsement of the recommendations contained herein would be appropriate.

Contact Name:

Karen Kirk, C.E.T., Parking Co-Ordinator, Transportation and Engineering Planning

(416) 394-8419; Fax 394-8942.

(Copies of Attachment Nos. 1-4, referred to in the foregoing report, were forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Etobicoke Community Council meeting of April 1, 1998, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)