Request for Exemption from Noise

By-law No. 71-89 in conjunction with

the Resurfacing of the Don Valley Parkway

The East York Community Council recommends approval of the following report (September14, 1998) from the Director, Quality Control and System Planning, Works and Emergency Services Department, in accordance with the schedule contained in the following communication (August28,1998) from the Manager, Road Resurfacing Programme, Worksand Emergency Services Department:

Purpose:

This report is to the September 16, 1998 Community Council. It responds to a request by the Toronto Works and Emergency Services Department, Technical Services Division for an exemption from the Noise By-law No. 71-89 of the East York District to facilitate road resurfacing of the DonValley Parkway according to the attached schedule.

Financial Implication:

N/A

Recommendation:

That Council grant the exemption from By-law No. 71-89 to the Works and Emergency Services Department, Technical Services Division to accommodate road resurfacing of the DonValleyParkway according for the scheduled times and dates.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Works and Emergency Services Department, Technical Services Division had submitted to the City of Toronto Clerk's Department, East York District Office a request, dated August 28, 1998, for an exemption from the East York District, Noise By-law No. 71-89 to facilitate the resurfacing of the Don Valley Parkway from Eglinton Avenue to the F. G. Gardiner Expressway. The project is scheduled for the period from September 15 to 28, 1998. In case of inclement weather, the work will continue from October 2 to 5, 1998 inclusive.

Discussion:

The Works and Emergency Services Department, Technical Services Division had stated that it is imperative that the work be completed at the scheduled times and dates in order to minimize disruption to the vast number of commuters who use the Don Valley Parkway daily.

The heavy equipment used for road resurfacing will emit noise above levels normally found at night-time in the residential areas bordering the project site. This may disrupt the restful sleep of some residents. However, considering the cooler night-time temperatures normally experienced in late September and beyond, windows will be closed and thus the impact of the noise on residents may be mitigated to acceptable levels. Furthermore, most of the homes that will be impacted are quite distant from the areas to be resurfaced.

Conclusions:

The noise generated by the road resurfacing of the Don Valley Parkway may impact negatively on neighbouring residences. However, because of the inconvenience that can result if the project were carried out during normal working hours, and the relatively short durations of the construction period, staff support the request.

Contact Name:

Kim Choo-Ying

Environmental Engineer

East York Civic Centre

Tel. No. : (416) 778-2218

Fax No. : (416) 466-9877

The East York Community Council also submits the following communication (August28,1998) from Mr. Robert Burlie, Manager, Road Resurfacing Programme, Works and Emergency Services Department:

"Further to my original submission of March 2nd, 1998, the purpose of this letter is to request an exemption from the local district's Noise By-law to allow road resurfacing on the DonValleyParkway to be completed at the revised dates and times as listed on the attached sheet:

It is imperative that the work is completed at the times mentioned in order to minimize disruption to the vast number of commuters who use the Don Valley Parkway daily.

Please contact me at 392-8322 if you require additional information."

Attachment 1 - Don Valley Parkway - Road Resurfacing Schedule