Removal of Parking Restriction on

Residential Side Streets in the Cedarvale Area

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation of the York Community Council with respect to the removal of parking restrictions on residential side streets in the Cedarvale area, as embodied in Clause No. 3 of Report No. 10 of The York Community Council, viz:

"The York Community Council recommends that:

(1)the newly implemented parking restrictions on the residential side streets in the Cedarvale area be removed; and that the regulations which were in place prior to August1998 be reinstated; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.".

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having referred the issue of the re-installation of parking meters on the south side of EglintonAvenue West to the General Manager, Transportation Services, with a request that he conduct a comprehensive review thereof and submit a further report to the York, NorthYork and Toronto Community Councils.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following communication (October 8, 1998) addressed to the Urban Environment and Development Committee from the City Clerk:

City Council, at its meeting held on October 1 and 2, 1998, had before it Clause No.3 of Report No.10 of The York Community Council, headed "(1) Removal of Parking Restrictions on Residential Side Streets in the Cedarvale Area; and (2) Request for Re-installation of Parking Meters on the South Side of Eglinton Avenue West, Ward 28, York Eglinton".

Council directed that the aforementioned Clause be struck out and referred to the Urban Environment and Development Committee for comment insofar as it relates to City-wide implications only.

(Clause No. 3 of Report No. 10 of The York Community Council,

referred to in the foregoing communication.)

(City Council on October 1 and 2, 1998, struck out and referred this Clause to the Urban Environment and Development Committee for comment insofar as it relates to City-wide implications only.)

The York Community Council recommends that:

(1)the newly implemented parking restrictions on the residential side streets in the Cedarvale area be removed; and that the regulations which were in place prior to August1998 be reinstated; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The York Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having:

(1)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to direct the York Manager of Traffic/Parking, to report on the installation of a No Right Turn from Strathearn Road on to Gloucester Grove; and

(2)requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to direct the York Director of Economic Development, to undertake a study of the Cedarvale area to determine the economic impact on local businesses as a result of the installation or removal of traffic control measures.

The York Community Council also reports, for the information of Council, having had before it the following communications:

(September 10, 1998) from Councillor Rob Davis requesting that the York Community Council reconsider its decision of June 25, 1997, to remove the parking meters on Eglinton Avenue West between Rostrevor Road and Menin Road; advising that several conditions have arisen, which if known at that time, could have had an impact on the original decision; that many of the business owners in the area have contacted his office regarding their concerns and requesting that deputations be made before the York Community Council.

(September 2, 1998) from Councillor Joe Mihevc advising that several residents have complained regarding the No Parking from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week by-law and signs which have been implemented on Cedarvale streets between Eglinton Avenue West and Dewbourne Avenue; and requesting that the above restrictions be removed in that the two-hour parking by-law allows for sufficient control of parking on these streets.

(September 11, 1998) from Councillor Joe Mihevc advising that in view of the turn restrictions on Eglinton Avenue West on to Strathearn Road from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the possibility of traffic infiltration from Strathearn Road on to GloucesterGrove; and requesting that staff be requested to report on the appropriateness of installing a No Right Turn restriction from Strathearn Road on to Gloucester Grove.

(September 10, 1998) from Mr. Richard R. Kent, 989 Eglinton Avenue West, #322, Toronto, to Councillor Rob Davis, advising that the elimination of the parking and stopping on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West and the removal of the parking meters, will have a severe adverse impact on the seniors who reside in the building of up to 144 units; many of the residents are in wheelchairs, need assistance to taxicabs, Wheel-Trans and other services; the adjacent streets are one-way running south to north which means that vehicles are unable to access these streets from EglintonAvenue West.

(Undated) from Mr. Bryan G. Levman, President, Guidelines Advertising Ltd., 1063 Eglinton Avenue West, objecting to the turn restrictions in the area.

Petitions signed by approximately 38 residents of 989 Eglinton Avenue West, objecting to the removal of the stopping regulation and parking meters in front of their building.

Petitions signed by approximately 209 owners/operators of businesses in the Cedarvale area, opposing the removal of the parking meters which would have a negative effect on the business and residential community; and requesting that the Community Council reconsider this matter immediately.

Petition signed by approximately 122 Forest Hill students who patronize the restaurants in the area, objecting to the removal of parking on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West.

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The following persons appeared before the York Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Dr. George Milne, Chiropractor, and Chair of the Upper Village BIA;

-Mr. George Calabrese, Treasurer, Upper Village BIA;

-Coordinator, Upper Village BIA;

-Dr. Goldstein, 152 Strathearn Road;

-Owner/operator, La Lucciola Pizzeria, 965 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto;

-Resident on Strathearn Road, Toronto;

-Mr. Brian Levman, President, Guidelines Advertising Ltd., 1063 Eglinton Avenue West;

-Mr. Phil Hutchinson, Property Manager, 989 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto.

-B. Joffe, 24 Rostrevor Road, Toronto;

-Dale Brattney, Menin Road, Toronto;

-Mr. Gil Kezwer, Winnett Avenue, Toronto;

-Mr. Robert Marcovitz, Westover Hill Road, Toronto; and

-Other residents and business owners/operators.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following report (October 30, 1998) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

Purpose:

To respond to a request by City Council at its meeting of October 1 and 2, 1998, to consider the City-wide implications of reinstating previous parking regulations on the south side of EglintonAvenue West between Strathearn Road and Rostrevor Road, and on the residential side streets south of Eglinton Avenue West, in the Cedarvale community.

Financial Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information, and that the matter of the parking elements of the Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Study be referred to the YorkCommunity Council for its further consideration and resubmission to City Council.

Background:

Toronto City Council at its meeting of October 1 and 2, 1998, had before it Clause 3 of Report No.10 of The York Community Council, headed "(1) Removal of Parking Restrictions on Residential Side Streets in the Cedarvale Area; and (2) Request for Re-installation of Parking Meters on the South Side of Eglinton Avenue West, Ward 28, York Eglinton". Council referred this Clause to the Urban Environment and Development Committee for comment insofar as it relates to City-wide implications only.

Comments:

Development of the Cedarvale Traffic Management Plan:

Traffic issues in the Cedarvale community, south of Eglinton Avenue West and west of BathurstStreet, have been of concern to residents for many years. The problems, which also impact on the Northwest Forest Hill community on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West, stem largely from the termination of the W. R. Allen Road. Over the years, many efforts have been made to deal with the problems.

In May 1996 turn restriction time periods prohibiting southbound entry onto the local streets along Eglinton Avenue West between Bathurst Street and Alameda Avenue were extended to reduce vehicular through volumes, impacting negatively upon the residential community. As a direct result, and in response to community concerns regarding the extended turn restriction time periods, the former York City Council recommended that a community-based Speed and Traffic Management Study be undertaken.

A Cedarvale Traffic Task Force was established, consisting of 90 concerned residents and members of Eglinton Avenue West businesses, supported by the Mayor, the local Councillor, the Metro Councillor for York-Eglinton and York/Metro Transportation staff. To guide the study, a Residents Steering Committee was established. Terms of Reference for the Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Management Study were drafted and approved. The firm Delcan Corporation was selected to undertake the study.

In January 1997 a preliminary traffic management plan was presented for consideration at an open meeting of the Task Force held at Cedarvale Public School. Based on strong feelings communicated by many of the residents attending the meeting, the majority concluded that many of the elements of the preliminary traffic plan were unacceptable to the community as a whole. As a result, the Cedarvale Residents Steering Committee undertook an extensive public consultation process in developing and formulating an amended Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Management Plan.

The former York Council at its meeting of June 25, 1997, approved implementation of the community-based and supported Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Management Plan and further requested the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Council to approve and implement those portions of the plan within its jurisdiction.

Description of Plan:

The Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Management Plan consists of a blend of various traffic management measures, as well as numerous traffic-calming elements:

(1)Consistent all-way stop controls throughout the neighbourhood:

This decision was based on emphasizing safety through consistency at all intersections, rather than a quantitative study approach.

(2)Introduction of new turn prohibitions:

No left turn anytime prohibitions were introduced at two intersections for safety reasons.

(3)Revised entry/exiting turn restriction hours:

Revisions to existing prohibited hours of entry/exiting into and from the Cedarvale Community were introduced.

(4)Relocation of on-street parking meters:

Parking meters on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West between Strathearn Road and Rostrevor Road which operated during the off-peak periods were removed and transferred to the flankage streets between Eglinton Avenue West and the public lane first south. The intent was to provide two through traffic lanes eastbound on Eglinton Avenue in an effort to encourage non-local traffic to stay on the arterial route. A total of 26 metered curbside parking spaces were established on the flankages to replace 25 spaces removed from EglintonAvenue West.

(5)Revised day-time on-street parking regulations:

Introduction of on-street parking on each of the side streets between the public lane and Dewbourne Avenue, during the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, for a maximum one hour duration to supplement Eglinton Avenue West customer parking needs. Approximately 96curbside parking spaces on these side streets are available.

(6)Installation of various traffic calming-measures throughout the community:

The introduction of a total of 45 traffic-calming measures. These measures include intersection throat narrowings, speed regulator humps, raised intersection pedestrian crossings and road narrowings with speed regulator humps; the purpose of which is to reduce vehicular travel speeds, improving pedestrian and cycling environments.

Local versus City-wide Implications:

The Cedarvale plan is intended to encourage a more hospitable community environment for residents to walk and cycle, by discouraging speeding vehicles and excessive volumes of through traffic. In this regard, the parking elements discussed above were designed to improve the arterial capacity while still addressing the parking supply needs of the local businesses. With implementation of this aspect of the plan in August 1998 a great deal of concern has been expressed, culminating with the recent recommendations of the York Community Council.

There is clearly an overriding local focus to this issue in terms of controlling traffic and parking on the neighbourhood streets and striking an appropriate balance between the needs of the local businesses and the adjoining residential community. In terms of potential City-wide implications, the capacity of the arterial route to accommodate through traffic demands would appear to be the primary concern. However, it has been demonstrated that from a capacity perspective, the street can serve this demand even if off-peak parking is provided. Accordingly, both local street and EglintonAvenue West parking elements of the Cedarvale plan are arguably local in nature.

It should be pointed out that the individual elements of the Cedarvale plan are components of an overall strategy. The removal or adjustment of any one of the various elements, including parking, may not entirely undermine the plan which evolved through extensive public consultation, but the intent and effectiveness could be compromised as elements are altered. In any event, it would be appropriate to refer this matter to the York Community Council for its further consideration and resubmission to City Council.

Contact Persons:

Mr. Stephen C. Brown, Manager Traffic/Parking, 394-2655, 394-2888 (fax).

Ms. Jacqueline White, Manager, Central Traffic Region, 397-5021, 392-8504 (fax).

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The following persons appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Dr. George Milne, Chiropractor, and Chair of the Upper Village BIA;

-Mr. John Cautillo, Toronto;

-Ms. Grace Russo, Upper Village BIA;

-Ms. Elaine Levine, Toronto;

-Mr. Phil Hutchinson, Property Manager of 989 Eglinton Avenue West;

-Ms. Esme Temple, Toronto;

-Mr. David Eisenberg, Italian Association of BIAs;

-Mr. Ara Kurk, Owner, Frame and Gift Inc., 1005 Eglinton Avenue West;

-Ms. Robyn Butler, Manager of a gift shop on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West;

-Councillor Rob Davis, York-Eglinton; and

-Councillor Joe Mihevc, York-Eglinton.

(A copy of the attachment, entitled "Appendix 3: City of York - 'The Cedarvale Community Traffic Plan' - Ward 1", to the foregoing report dated October 30, 1998, from the General Manager, Transportation Services Division, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)