June 28, 1999

To:East York Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Post Office Access to Krawchuk Lane

(East York - Ward 1)

Purpose:

To report on the results of the meeting held to discuss Canada Post access to Krawchuk Lane as well as subsequent field studies, and to propose changes to the operation of Malcolm Road to facilitate the closure of the postal outlet driveway to Krawchuk Lane for day-to-day Canada Post operations.

Funding Sources:

The estimated cost to implement the proposed recommendations is $1000.00. These funds can be accommodated within the Transportation Services 1999 Current Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)this report be forwarded to the appropriate Canada Post representatives and that they be requested to comment on the installation of a gate system at the postal outlet access to Krawchuk Lane which would close the lane to all vehicles accessing the postal outlet except during an emergency or during periods when the driveway to Malcolm Road is closed for construction or other events;

(2)if Canada Post responds favourably to the proposal to restrict vehicles using the Krawchuk Lane access, that the one-way northbound operation of Malcolm Road be rescinded from Millwood Road to a point 60 metres north of Millwood Road; that stop control be introduced for southbound Malcolm Road motorists at Millwood Road; that southbound left turns be prohibited at all times at Malcolm Road and Millwood Road; and,

(3)the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect thereto, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

Background:

East York Community Council, at its meeting on May 26, 1999 requested that staff arrange a meeting with representatives of Canada Post, members of the East York Community Council, representatives of the Leaside Property Owners' Association and the Leaside Business Park Association, to discuss concerns regarding the postal outlet's access to Krawchuk Lane and report back to the East York Community Council. (Report No.6, Clause No. 22)

Comments:

A meeting with representatives of Canada Post, Councillor Jane Pitfield, representatives of Councillor Prue's and Councillor Ootes' office, local residents, members of the Leaside Property Owners' Association and Transportation Services staff was held on June 1, 1999 to discuss access to Krawchuk Lane by postal outlet vehicles. As a result of this meeting, Transportation Staff conducted a traffic count at the Malcolm Road and Krawchuk Lane accesses to the postal outlet to determine the use of these accesses by Canada Post and non-Canada Post vehicles. The results are shown on the attached plan.

The count was conducted during the peak 8 hours between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on a typical weekday to determine the relative use of the Krawchuk Lane access and the Malcolm Road access. The results of the study indicate that only 6 Post Office vehicles used the laneway during the time period counted. During the same time period 43 Post Office vehicles used the Malcolm Road access.

The postal outlet has had legal access to the lane for many years. Restricting the access of Canada Post vehicles to the lane was not part of the Subdivision agreement for development of the adjacent townhomes, therefore residents who purchased homes fronting Krawchuk Lane did so with no assurance that access to the postal outlet would be altered. The City has no legal means to close the postal outlet access to Krawchuk Lane.

Nonetheless, given the low volume of Canada Post vehicles using the laneway (6 vehicles in 8 hours), it is recommended that the postal outlet be requested to comment on a proposal to restrict day-to-day access to Krawchuk Lane while at the same time allowing access during emergencies or when the access to Malcolm Road is obstructed such as during construction. This could be accomplished by installing a locked gate across the access. The key to the lock would be held by Canada Post.

To facilitate the displaced Canada Post vehicles that currently use Krawchuk Lane, staff propose that Malcolm Road, which currently operates one-way northbound from Millwood Road to Randolph Road, operate as a 2-way road from Millwood Road to a point just north of the entrance to the postal outlet. This will allow Canada Post vehicles access to westbound Millwood Road. It will also reduce existing traffic volumes on Malcolm Road north of the postal outlet since motorists exiting the Canada Post driveway will now be able to make a right turn and access Millwood Road.

This proposal represents a compromise that should satisfy all parties. Residents of Krawchuk Lane would experience a reduction in the number of vehicles using the lane while the small number of displaced Canada Post vehicles could be accommodated on Malcolm Road where the one-way designation would be rescinded to allow southbound access to Millwood Road. Furthermore, residents of Malcolm Road would experience a decrease in traffic given that Canada Post vehicles would have access to Millwood Road. It is recommended that Canada Post be requested to formally respond to the proposals outlined above.

Contact Name:

Peter Bartos P.Eng.

Manager, Traffic Operations

District 1 - East

397-4486

Director

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