July 13, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

 Subject:Widmer Street, west side, between King Street West and Adelaide Street West - Prohibition of standing at anytime. (Ward 24- Downtown)

Purpose:

To enhance tour bus loading/unloading operations at the flankage of Premises No. 370 King Street West (Holiday Inn Hotel) and to resolve operational safety concerns on the street.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to undertake the necessary signage adjustments in the estimated amount of $500.00 are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

(1)That the "No Parking at Anytime" regulation on the west side of Widmer Street, from King Street West to a point 68.6 metres further north, be changed to "No Standing at Anytime"; 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 Holiday Inn Hotel (Premises No. 370 King Street West) and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Olivia Chow, staff of Transportation Services have reviewed the parking regulations on Widmer Street, flanking the hotel, with the view of allowing tour buses improved access to the curb to load/unload patrons to the hotel and enhance traffic operation and safety on the street.

Widmer Street, from King Street West to Adelaide Street West operates two-way on a variable pavement width ranging between 7.3 metres and 10 metres. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the west side of the street from King Street West to a point 68.6 metres north and from that point to Adelaide Street West, parking (controlled by meters) is permitted for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Otherwise parking is permitted for a maximum period of three hours. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the east side of Widmer Street, from Adelaide Street West to a point 90 metres south, and from that point to King Street West, parking (controlled by meters) is permitted for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Otherwise parking is permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

Under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act, a vehicle, while actually engaged in loading/unloading passengers, may legally do so in an area where standing or parking is prohibited. Accordingly, vehicles (buses, delivery trucks, taxis and passenger vehicles) may legally stop on the west side of Widmer Street, between King Street West and a point 68.6 metres north (flankage of the Holiday Inn Hotel) to load/unload passengers or merchandise. However, if a vehicle is left unattended, it is unlawfully parked and subject to appropriate enforcement.

A site inspection by Transportation Services' staff has revealed that tour buses often cannot gain access to the curb and are forced to double park to load/unload patrons destined to the Holiday Inn Hotel due, in part, to the presence of parked vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons parking permit which may legally park for extended periods of time on the west side of Widmer Street, from King Street West to a point 68.6 metres further north (flankage of the Holiday Inn Hotel). This, in combination with parking on the east side of the street, narrows the pavement width of Widmer Street making passage along the street very difficult and adversely impacts on traffic operation and pedestrian safety.

To resolve this situation, a "No Standing at Anytime" prohibition should be designated on the west side of Widmer Street, from King Street West to a point 68.6 metres further north (the first parking meter stall) and in conjunction therewith, to enhance motorists' awareness of the pick-up/drop-off potential at the subject section of the street, staff of Transportation Services will post advisory signs indicating "Tour Bus Loading Area". This will enhance tour bus loading/unloading operations at the flankage of Premises No. 370 King Street West (Holiday Inn Hotel) and resolve the operational safety concerns noted above. Although this will result in the loss of an area that is currently used for on-street parking by disabled persons permit holders, as well as for delivery vehicles to halt momentarily to load/unload merchandise to the Holiday Inn Hotel, the benefits of providing enhanced operational safety on this section of Widmer Street outweighs the minor inconvenience that the loss of the "No Parking Anytime" area will create.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, 392-7771,

   Director.

CR/cr

(p:\1999\ug\cws\ipt\to990166.ipt) - acb