June 1, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Huron Street, east side, from Harbord Street to Willcocks Street - Provision of an on-street loading zone for the disabled at the rear of Premises No. 100 St. George Street, University of Toronto, Sydney Smith Hall (Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

This proposal is intended to enhance Wheeltrans loading operations and to ensure that the area at the rear of Premises No. 100 St. George Street, is kept clear of parked vehicles.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The implementation cost of this proposal will be approximately $500.00, funds for which are available in the Transportation Services 1999 Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

(1)That a disabled persons loading zone be established on the east side of Huron Street, from a point 83.0 metres south of Harbord Street to a point 10.0 metres further south; and

(2)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 a representative of The University of Toronto and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Olivia Chow, Transportation Services staff investigated the feasibility of providing an on-street disabled persons loading zone on the east side of Huron Street at the rear of Premises No. 100 St. George Street (Sydney Smith Hall).

Huron Street, from Harbord Street to Willcocks Street operates two-way on a pavement width of 7.3 metres. Parking is prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday and is permitted for a maximum period of three hours at other times on the east side of the street. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the west side of the street.

A recent site investigation by Transportation Services staff has revealed that a curb cut providing wheelchairs with access to the sidewalk is located on the east side of Huron Street adjacent to the rear entrance of Premises No. 100 St. George Street. Motorists generally accept the need for this wheelchair curb cut and respect its use by not parking in front of it. However, parking is not prohibited under the authority of a by-law at this location on the street. Wheeltrans buses stop on Huron Street in the vicinity of the curb cut to pick-up/drop-off disabled passengers, but often must do so in the middle of the road as the gap between parked cars at the curb cut is only about 4.0 metres in length. This impedes traffic operation and creates a potentially hazardous situation for other motorists and the disabled person(s) being picked up or dropped off.

To resolve this situation, an on-street loading zone for the disabled should be designated on the east side of Huron Street, from a point 83.0 metres south of Harbord Street to a point 10.0 metres further south. This will enhance Wheeltrans loading operations at the rear of Premises No. 100 St. George Street and resolve the operational safety concerns noted above. However, this will result in the loss of 2 parking spaces on the east side of Huron Street in an area where there is a significantly high demand for parking. Nevertheless, the benefits of providing improved service for Wheeltrans users and enhancing operational safety on this section of Huron Street out weighs the minor inconvenience that the loss of the 2 parking spaces on this street will create.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771.

Director.

CR/cr

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