October 10, 1999

To: North York Community Council

From: Roberto Stopnicki

Director, Transportation Services

District 3

Re: Notice of Motion Regarding Speed Limits Within the York Mills Valley Community

(North York Centre South)

Purpose:

To address the proposal put forward by the Notice of Motion from Councillor Joanne Flint, to reduce the speed limit on the roads of the York Mills Valley community to 40 Km/h.

Financial Implications:

The cost for new speed limit signs which would have to be installed on all the roads within the community, is estimated at $5,100.00, which are available in the Division=s operating budget.

Recommendation:

Within the context of the current road classification review and the unique road pattern in this area, it is recommended that the speed limit of roads in the York Mills Valley community, be reduced to 40km/h.

Background:

Councillor Flint's motion proposes that the local roads on the east side of Yonge Street and south side of York Mills Road, have a designated speed limit of 40 Km/h. The policy of the former City of North York, dictated that only roads that abutted a school or a park that was a route to a school, have a designated speed limit of 40 Km/h.

Within the area under consideration, there is a private pre-school and junior elementary school on Plymbridge Road, with a 40 Km/h speed limit in the vicinity of the school. In addition, Campbell Crescent, which provides one of the main access points into the community from York Mills Road, also has a speed limit of 40 Km/h.

The Transportation Division has recently initiated a harmonization of the road classifications in the City of Toronto. Within this review, it is proposed that the range of speed limits on local roads be 40 to 50 Km/h. This proposals would permit the introduction of 40 Km/h speed limits on local roads, where localized topographical and traffic conditions determine it to be appropriate.

Discussion:

The York Mills Valley community is unique, in that it is an isolated area surrounded by two main roads and a river, and is located in a flood plain. Due to its location it is designated as a Special Policy Area.

As a result of the topography and significant vegetation, the local road network has had to be developed with significantly curvilinear alignments. In addition, to maintain the character of the neighbourhood, local roads are unimproved with no curbs or sidewalks and in some locations, the pavement is narrower than the standard 8.5 metres. There haven=t been any specific concerns with vehicular speeds in this area, as the operating speeds on most of the local roads within the community is lower than 50Km/h and on some roads, lower than the 40Km/h.

Conclusion:

The current proposals for road classification, permit consideration of a range of speed limits on local roads, between 40Km/h and 50Km/h. The existing configuration of roads within the York Mills Valley community result in operating speeds that are below the posted 50km/h. The installation of a 40km/h speed limit on the roads of the York Mills Valley community would, in essence, formalize the existing traffic operations.

Contact:

Allen Pinkerton, Manager of Traffic Operations, District 3

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

ajpinker@city.north-york.on.ca (email)

Roberto Stopnicki

Director, Transportation Services, District 3

G:\shared\yrkmills.doc

CITY CLERK

Clause embodied in Report No. 9 of the North York Community Council, to be considered by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting to be held on October 26, 27 and 28, 1999.

17

Other Items Considered by the Community Council

(e) Speed Limit for all Roads in York Mills Valley - North York Centre South.

The North York Community Council reports having received the following report and having deferred consideration of the following Resolution by Councillor Flint, North York Centre South, to its next meeting scheduled for November 9, 1999:

WHEREAS the Official Plan designates the Ward 9 York Mills Valley community as a Special Policy Area due to its being located in a flood plain; and

WHEREAS the York Mills Valley displays a unique curving road pattern that respects the river and ravines; and

WHEREAS all roads except Old Yonge Street, Mill Street and part of Donwoods Drive are unimproved and have no curbs, storm sewers or sidewalks; and

WHEREAS the area residents value trees, landscaping features, etc.; and

WHEREAS there is a popular private pre-school and junior elementary school in the area that attracts considerable traffic from outside York Mills Valley; and

WHEREAS residents, through their local Ratepayer Association, have expressed concern about the standard 50 km speed limit being inappropriate and unsafe in the area;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the speed limit for all roads in York Mills Valley, in the area south of York Mills Road, east of Yonge Street (as per Appendix 'A') be 40 km.

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(October 10, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 3, addressing the proposal put forward by the Resolution from Councillor Flint to reduce the speed limit on the roads of the York Mills Valley community to 40 km/h, and recommending that the speed limit of roads in the York Mills Valley community be reduced to 40 km/h.

NORTH YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

N O T I C E O F M O T I O N

Moved by: Councillor Joanne Flint

Seconded by:

WHEREAS the Official Plan designates the Ward 9 York Mills Valley community as a Special Policy Area due to its being located in a flood plain; and

WHEREAS the York Mills Valley displays a unique curving road pattern that respects the river and ravines; and

WHEREAS all roads except Old Yonge Street, Mill Street and part of Donwoods Drive are unimproved and have no curbs, storm sewers or sidewalks; and

WHEREAS the area residents value trees, landscaping features, etc.; and

WHEREAS there is a popular private pre-school and junior elementary school in the area that attracts considerable traffic from outside York Mills Valley; and

WHEREAS residents, through their local Ratepayer Association, have expressed concern about the standard 50 Km speed limit being inappropriate and unsafe in the area;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the speed limit for all roads in York Mills Valley, in the area south of York Mills Road, east of Yonge Street (as per Appendix 'A') be 40 Km.

NM/12/10/99/md