August 26, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Wellington Street West, south side, between York Street and University Avenue -Prohibition of stopping at anytime (Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

To keep the curb/sidewalk area clear of parked vehicles to ensure the safe and efficient flow of both pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

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

Recommendations:

(1)That the stopping prohibition from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, on both sides of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to Simcoe Street, be rescinded;

(2)That the parking prohibition at anytime on both sides of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to Clarence Square, be rescinded;

(3)That stopping be prohibited at anytime on the south side of Wellington Street West, from York Street to University Avenue;

(4)That stopping be prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday on the north side of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to Simcoe Street;

(5)That stopping be prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday on the south side of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to York Street, and from University Avenue to Simcoe Street;

(6)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to Clarence Square;

(7)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the south side of Wellington Street West, from Yonge Street to York Street, and from University Avenue to Clarence Square; and

(8)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 Empire Plaza, Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation No. 932 located at Premises No. 33 University Avenue and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Olivia Chow, staff of Transportation Services have reviewed the parking regulations on the subject section of Wellington Street West, flanking the Empire Plaza, with the view of enhancing traffic operation and safety on the street.

Wellington Street West, between York Street and University Avenue, is a four lane arterial roadway operating one-way westbound on a pavement width of 12.8 metres. Stopping is prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, on both sides of this portion of Wellington Street West. Otherwise, parking is prohibited at all other times.

The subject section of Wellington Street West is approximately 77.4 metres in length. Traffic control signals are in operation at both of the intersections of Wellington Street West with York Street and with University Avenue. Under the provisions of the Metropolitan Toronto Uniform Traffic By-law and of Chapter 400 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, no person shall park a vehicle within 30.5 metres of a signalized intersection. This is a uniform parking prohibition City-wide at all signalized intersections to ensure that traffic is unimpeded by parked vehicles when approaching and departing the intersection. A recent site inspection by Transportation Services' staff revealed that signs are posted and clearly visible identifying this regulation.

It is illegal for vehicles to mount the curb/sidewalk to load/unload merchandise, pick-up/drop-off pedestrians or as in this case, to park in order to purchase goods at the Coffee Time Cafe located on the south side of Wellington Street West, midblock, between York Street and University Avenue. Notwithstanding, this does happen from time to time throughout the City when motorists have nowhere else to conveniently temporarily stop their vehicles to load/unload merchandise, pick-up/drop-off pedestrians or as in this case, to park in order to purchase goods at an adjacent business, and are trying to maintain sufficient roadway space so other vehicles can safely pass by.

A site inspection by Transportation Services' staff confirmed the presence of parked vehicles, not only at the curb but also across the curb/sidewalk, which were parked illegally for short periods of time on the south side of Wellington Street West, between York Street and University Avenue. The illegal parking eliminated the use of the curb lane to moving traffic, made passage along the street difficult and adversely impacted on traffic operation and pedestrian safety on the sidewalk.

To resolve this situation, a more stringent "No Stopping at Anytime" regulation should be designated on the south side of Wellington Street West, between York Street and University Avenue, and in conjunction therewith, staff of Transportation Operations will install bollards immediately in back of the curb to curtail vehicles from mounting the curb/sidewalk in the future. This will result in the loss of an area that is currently used by delivery vehicles (outside the prohibited stopping times as indicated above) to halt momentarily to load/unload merchandise to businesses in the vicinity. However, the benefits of providing enhanced operational safety on this section of Wellington Street West outweighs the minor inconvenience that the loss of the "No Parking Anytime" area will create.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771,

Director.

CR/cr

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