The Toronto Community Council recommends adoption of the following report (March 12, 1998) from the Director, By-law Administration and Enforcement, City Works Services:

Purpose:

To report on the Toronto Parking Authority's application for a boulevard parking licence at its lot at 30 Alvin Avenue. This application was submitted at the City's request in order to normalize a long-standing situation which was not covered by a licence with the City of Toronto.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that City Council approve the application for commercial boulevard parking at 30 Alvin Avenue, subject to the Toronto Parking Authority complying with the criteria set out in § 313-42 of Municipal Code Chapter 313, Streets and Sidewalks.

Background:

The Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of January 21, 1998, in considering a communication (December 9, 1997) from Mr. M. J. Anderson, President, The Parking Authority of Toronto, asked me to report on his request, as a deputation item.

Comments:

While discussing a proposal to re-align the driveways at the Toronto Parking Authority car park at 30 Alvin Avenue, it came to our attention that the Authority was using a portion of the City boulevard for their parking operation. Although the Authority has similar arrangements at other lots for which we have issued licences, that has not been done for the Alvin Avenue site.

We asked the Parking Authority to make an application in order to normalize the situation. The area to be licensed is inside the parking lot, but within the City boulevard. It provides approximately 30 parking spaces. The Parking Authority advises us that this configuration has existed since 1955.

This application meets the physical criteria for boulevard parking as set out in § 313-42 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 313 and no alterations to the boulevard are required. However, because the parking is in a residential district, it triggered the requirement of a public poll of owners and tenants within 100 m of the subject property. (Technically speaking, a poll is required although under the circumstances--the fact that this parking arrangement has been in place for over 40 years-- should arguably have been waived.)

A poll dated June 4 to July 4, 1997, was conducted on Alvin Avenue between Nos. 15 and 45A Alvin Avenue, including No. 36 Alvin Avenue to determine neighbourhood support, as follows:

Polling Summary

Because of the negative poll, staff could not issue a licence. However, given the long standing nature of this use of the boulevard, and the fact that this parking is critical to the area, which is already in short supply--I recommend that this location be licensed. Doing so at this point is essentially a housekeeping matter.

Conclusions:

Given the long-standing nature of this parking arrangement, and the fact that it is in the City's interests to maintain this parking, I recommend that the licence be issued.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Ken McGuire, 392-7564