Temporary Standing Prohibition on Dundas Street West,

in Front of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (March 30, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having directed that a copy of the report (March 30, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, be forwarded to the Toronto Community Council for its meeting scheduled to be held on May 6, 1998; and having requested that the Community Council forward any comments with respect thereto directly to Council for consideration with this matter at its meeting scheduled to be held on May 13, 1998.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (March 30, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

To obtain approval for the temporary prohibition of standing on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley Street and McCaul Street, daily between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., from June 10 to September 21, 1998.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the installation of this temporary standing prohibition are contained in the Current Budget estimates for Transportation. The estimated cost of installing a temporary standing prohibition on Dundas Street, between Beverley Street and McCaul Street, is $400.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)standing be prohibited every day between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley Street and McCaul Street, for a period commencing June 10, 1998 and terminating on September 21, 1998; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Background:

By letter dated March 25, 1998, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has requested that parking controls on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley Street and McCaul Street, be modified for the duration of the exhibition entitled "The Courtauld Collection" from June 10, 1998, to September 21, 1998, inclusive, in order to provide for the loading and unloading of the large number of buses expected relative to this exhibition. This is the same temporary bus loading plan which was implemented in 1994 in order to accommodate the large volume of visitors to the AGO for the ABarnes Foundation@ exhibit.

Discussion:

"The Courtauld Collection" exhibition is a high profile event that is expected to benefit the people and the economy of the City of Toronto. It will be open seven days per week from June 10 to September 21, 1998, with an anticipated attendance in excess of 400,000 people. A temporary standing prohibition on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley and McCaul Streets, will facilitate the loading and unloading of the high volumes of buses for school and tour groups attending this exhibition. At present, standing is prohibited at all times in front of the AGO entrance, between a point 117 metres east of Beverley Street and a point 20 metres further east thereof (approximately in the centre of the subject area). However this permanent bus loading area can only accommodate two large buses at any one time. A much larger loading area is required for the anticipated volume of visitors.

At present, stopping is prohibited on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley and McCaul Streets, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.

Within this same area, parking is permitted within 15 metered parking spaces that operate from 9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, except Public Holidays. Parking is currently prohibited from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.

The morning peak period stopping prohibition will be maintained and, therefore, there will be little impact on road operations.

We have consulted with staff of the Toronto Police Service's 52 Division, and with representatives of various neighbourhood associations, and they support this proposal.

It has been past practice not to seek remuneration from the AGO to compensate for the minimal cost to install the loading zone, temporarily cover/uncover the parking meters ($400.00), and also for the loss of parking meter revenue, which is estimated to be approximately $8,900.00. This is because of the overall benefits to the City derived from the AGO exhibition.

Conclusion:

The provision of a temporary standing prohibition on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Beverley Street and McCaul Street, is required to accommodate bus loading and unloading activity during AThe Courtauld Collection@ exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario between June 10 and September 21, 1998 (inclusive).

Contact Name:

Ms. Jacqueline White, Acting Manager, Central Traffic Region, 397-5021.

(A copy of the location plan, which was appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the April 20, 1998, meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)