June 1, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Wellesley Street West, north side, from Bay Street to Queen's Park Crescent - Prohibition of standing at anytime (Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

This proposal is intended to discourage motorists from parking in the curb areas east and west of the driveways to Premises No. 62 Wellesley Street West, thereby enhancing sightlines for motorists entering/exiting the driveways servicing this address.

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 the "No Parking Anytime" prohibition on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from Bay Street to a point 91.2 metres west, be rescinded;

(2)That standing be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from a point 59.2 metres west of Bay Street to a point 31.9 metres further west;

(3)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from Bay Street to a point 59.2 metres west; and

(4)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 Premises No. 62 Wellesley Street West and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Olivia Chow, staff of Transportation Services have investigated implementing changes to the existing parking regulations on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from Bay Street to a point 91.2 metres further west (the first parking meter stall), to discourage motorists from encroaching upon the driveways to Premises No. 62 and enhance sightlines of motorists on Wellesley Street West and those entering/exiting the driveways.

Wellesley Street West, from Bay Street to Queen's Park Crescent is a 4-lane arterial roadway operating two-way on a variable pavement width ranging from 10.0 metres to 12.0 metres. Parking (controlled by parking meters), is permitted on both sides of the street for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Otherwise, parking is permitted to a maximum period of three hours. A recent site inspection by Transportation Services' staff confirms that signs giving effect to the above-noted regulations are posted in sufficient number and are in good repair on Wellesley Street West in proximity to Premises No. 62.

Observations also revealed the presence of illegally parked vehicles on the north side of the street in the areas east and west of the driveways to Premises No. 62 Wellesley Street West, which encroached upon the driveways, reducing sightlines of motorists on Wellesley Street West and those entering/exiting the driveways.

Under the provisions of Sub-Section 400-33 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, no vehicle shall park within 60.0 centimetres of a driveway. In this instance, Transportation Services' staff noted that motorists seemed to have total disregard for this regulation and parked illegally wherever/whenever on-street curb space was available in the area surrounding the driveways to Premises No. 62 Wellesley Street West. I note that this situation is not unique and is a common occurrence on other streets in the Toronto area, especially the downtown core.

To improve sightlines for motorists entering/exiting the driveways at Premises No. 62 Wellesley Street West and to enhance operational safety on the street, standing should be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from a point approximately 59.2 metres west of Bay Street to a point 31.9 metres further west (to the first parking meter stall west of Bay Street). This would encompass the two driveways and an area 3.0 metres on both sides thereof.

This will not result in the loss of any parking spaces on the north side of Wellesley Street West, from Bay Street to Queen's Park Crescent.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771.

Director.

CR/cr

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