March 16, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject: Widmer Street, from Adelaide Street West to Richmond Street West - Reversal of the one-way southbound traffic operation to operate one-way northbound (Ward 24, Downtown)

Purpose:

To reverse the one-way traffic operation on the above noted section of Widmer Street.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds in the estimated amount of $1,000.00 are accommodated in the Transportation Services Division's 1999 Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

1.That the one-way southbound traffic operation on the section of Widmer Street, from Adelaide Street West to Richmond Street West, be adjusted to operate one-way northbound; and

2.That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is necessary to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

Background:

The former City of Toronto Council, at its meeting of February 7, 1997, adopted Clause No. 4 in Land Use Committee Report No. 3 and in doing so, approved the Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning Application (No. 195036) at the Festival Hall development, Premises Nos. 126 John Street and 265-267 Richmond Street West. One of the conditions of approval was the reversal of the one-way southbound traffic operation on Widmer Street, as noted in Recommendation No. 1, above.

Comments:

At the request of area residents and property owners in the vicinity of the Festival Hall development, staff requested that the Architects associated with the project (Kirkland Partnership Architects) submit plan revisions, which included among other issues, the reversal of the one-way southbound traffic operation on Widmer Street, from Adelaide Street West to Richmond Street West, as part of an Official Plan Amendment and a site-specific Zoning By-law amendment. Works and Emergency Services staff supported this proposal in written comments provided to Planning staff during the rezoning process.

Accordingly, the existing one-way southbound traffic operation on the subject section of Widmer Street should be adjusted to operate one-way northbound.

Contact name and Telephone Number:

Colin Booth, Senior Traffic Investigator, 392-7771

Director.

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