March 4, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Elizabeth Street, west side, from Dundas Street West to Hagerman Street (in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall) - Provision of an on-street loading zone for disabled persons (Downtown - Ward 24)

Purpose:

To keep the curb area at the rear of City Hall clear of vehicles and to enhance pick-up/drop-off opportunity for disabled persons.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to undertake the necessary signage adjustments in the estimated amount of $300.00 are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Current Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That the parking prohibition at anytime on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north, be rescinded;

(2)That a disabled persons loading zone be established on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north; and

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

Comments:

At the request of Downtown Councillor Kyle Rae, Works staff have investigated the provision of an on-street disabled loading zone on the west side of Elizabeth Street, between Dundas Street West and Hagerman Street in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall to facilitate Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off of disabled passengers.

Elizabeth Street, from Dundas Street West to Hagerman Street operates two-way on variable pavement widths ranging between 7.3 metres and 4.9 metres. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the west side of Elizabeth Street, (in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall) from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres north and in conjunction therewith, standard "Disabled Symbol" signs are affixed to the prohibited parking signs to advise handicapped parkers of their privilege. Parking is permitted on both sides of Elizabeth Street, from Dundas Street to Hagerman Street from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday (controlled by parking meters), otherwise parking is permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

A site inspection by Transportation staff revealed that vehicles displaying disabled persons parking permits park for extended periods of time on the west side of Elizabeth Street, just north of Hagerman Street, in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall under exemptions afforded them within "No Parking" areas. Wheeltrans buses often stop to pick-up/drop-off disabled persons in this area but frequently cannot gain access to the curb. As a result, they must double-park, at times creating potentially hazardous conditions for moving traffic and embarking/disembarking Wheeltrans passengers. Additionally, emergency vehicles as well as garbage trucks, currently experience manoeuverability difficulties negotiating this portion of the street (given that the street is only 4.9 metres wide at this point) when vehicles are parked.

To alleviate this, a designated on-street loading zone for disabled persons could be provided on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north. Implementation of this measure would keep the curb area at the rear of City Hall clear of vehicles, resulting in enhanced disabled passenger pick-up/drop-off operations and improved manoeuvrability. This measure would have a minor impact on on-street parking by disabled persons.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, 392-7771

Director.

CR/cr

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