STAFF REPORT

November 17, 1999

To: Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

From: Gary H. Welsh, Director, Transportation Services, Works and Emergency

Services, District 4

Subject: Boulevard Alterations at The Church of St. Jude, 10 Howarth Avenue

Scarborough Wexford

Purpose:

To report the results of investigations into boulevard alterations on Howarth Avenue.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable.

Recommendations:

This report is presented for the information of Council.

Background:

Transportation Services staff has been working with residents of 7 Howarth Avenue and the Reverend Ian Noseworthy from The Church of St. Jude to try to resolve concerns the residents have with vehicles parking on the boulevard in front of the church. The original complaint from the residents was that when vehicles were parking on the paved boulevard in front of the church, the headlights of these vehicles would shine on the residential homes across the street. (The boulevard was paved when the church parking lot was paved, and the current arrangement has existed for over ten years.)

The church requested that parishioners/daycare regulars park towards the church building and thereby minimize their exposure to the residential properties on the opposite side of the road. Subsequently, the church painted angle parking stalls towards the church to reinforce the request to park facing the church. Even though these two parking spaces were not illustrated on the original approved site plan, they are mostly situated on private property. Nonetheless, the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division has recently requested that the church remove these stalls.

Although the actions by the church have eliminated the issue of headlights shinning on the opposite side of the road, the residents of 7 Howarth Avenue have since requested that a portion of the paved boulevard in front of the church be removed and trees planted in the area. This could physically prevent motorists from parking in the boulevard area.

Comments:

Howarth Avenue is a local residential road located south of Lawrence Avenue and west of Pharmacy Avenue. The Church of St. Jude is located on the northwest corner of Howarth Avenue and Inniswood Drive. The paved boulevard near the north end of the church is six metres wide, and the east church wall is approximately 12.5 metres from the curb of Howarth Avenue.

Transportation Services staff met with Councillor Kelly, the pastor and parishioners from The Church of St. Jude to outline two different options for boulevard alterations. Although we do not feel it is necessary to perform these alterations on the boulevard, as we have not observed a safety problem with the existing situation, we appreciate the churchs desire to resolve conflicts between neighbours and beautify the area surrounding the church. We indicated at this meeting that the costs of whatever option the church wishes to pursue will be their responsibility. Staff volunteered to provide recommendations and cost estimates.

Option # 1- Planting Two Trees Within Two Openings Created in the Existing Asphalt

Essentially, this would involve excavating two areas in the asphalt, large enough to plant two trees. The location of these two openings would be approximately 1.5 metres from the edge of the curb on Howarth Avenue, and the trees would be 8 metres apart. Our Parks and Urban Forestry Services Division has indicated that they feel either a Bradford Pear tree or a Japanese Lilac tree would be appropriate on this road. Both of these trees are ornamental flowering trees that would not only be aesthetically pleasing but also would only grow approximately 7.5 metres tall (25 feet) so as not to interfere with overhead wires.

The cost for the City of Toronto to provide the openings in the asphalt and plant these two trees would be approximately $1,150.00.

Option # 2 - Planting Two Trees and Sodding the Boulevard

This option would involve removing the existing asphalt on a three metre strip of boulevard in front of the church. Two trees would be planted, and sod would be placed in this area. Staff again suggest either the Bradford Pear or the Japanese Lilac tree. We prefer this option because the trees are more likely to survive as the roots would not be growing under the asphalt, and would be able to absorb more water from the soil and disperse more heat from the ground.

The cost for this option would be slightly more expensive than Option 1 - $1,300.00.

Conclusions:

Staff are of the opinion that the existing parking arrangement at 10 Howarth Avenue does not create a safety issue and we are not recommending, nor are we requesting that the church pursue improvements to the boulevard. However, if the church does wish to pursue either option, we would assist as much as possible with the work involved with this project in an effort to resolve a dispute between neighbours.

Contact:

Bruce D. Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Tel: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-Mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

Gary H. Welsh

Director

Transportation Services

Works and Emergency Services

District 4

BDC:ca

c:\work\reports\scc\10 howarth

D98-124

List of Attachments:

1. Plan (Boulevard Alterations at 10 Howarth Avenue)