The Toronto Community Council recommends adoption of the following report (March 10, 1998) from the Director, By-law Administration and Enforcement, City Works Services:

Purpose:

To report on Councillor Jakobek's request to relocate a fire hydrant to allow driveway widening.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that City Council approve the application for driveway widening at 128 Wolverleigh Boulevard, subject to the owner paying in advance for the relocation of the fire hydrant at this address, to a point approximately 3.6 metres east of its existing location.

Background:

Councillor Jakobek has asked me to report on the above matter.

Comments:

Mr. Angelo Stavridis, owner of 128 Wolverleigh Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M4J 1R9, submitted an application on February 4, 1998, for driveway widening for one motor vehicle fronting 128 Wolverleigh Boulevard.

The area in the street allowance adjacent to the mutual driveway has recently been excavated and landscaped in order to create a parking area at the front of the house. This landscaping was done without the necessary approval and permits from the City. There is a fire hydrant located immediately east of the mutual driveway between 126 and 128 Wolverleigh Boulevard. The dimensions of the paved area, vehicle, location of the fire hydrant and clearances from the hydrant are shown in Appendix 'A'.

The Fire Code requires that hydrants be readily available and unobstructed for use at all times. It is departmental policy to maintain a minimum of 1.0 m clearance from hydrants to allow unrestricted access.

The current driveway widening criteria of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 248, Parking Licenses, require that cars be parked no closer than 0.30 metres from the back of the City sidewalk and to a wall or any part of the building.

The location cannot be approved for driveway widening because there is insufficient space for a parking space which provides the necessary clearance from the base of the hydrant.

However, the location would meet the Fire Code and Municipal Code requirements if the fire hydrant is relocated to a point approximately 3.6 metres from its existing position which will place it just east of a retaining wall. The cost to relocate this fire hydrant is estimated at $8,000. If the hydrant is moved, part of the retaining wall forming the east edge of the proposed parking area will also need to be removed, with an associated cost of approximately $1,000.00.

Conclusions:

As there is insufficient space to accommodate a proper parking space adjacent to the mutual driveway, due to the existing position of the hydrant, this location is not eligible for driveway widening. However, this location can be licensed for driveway widening if the hydrant is relocated as described above, at the owner's expense.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Nino Pellegrini, 392-7778.