March 26, 1999
To:Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:Jane and Finch Streetscape Project, Ward 7
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to respond to City Council's request of March 2, 1999 to get
approval on the phase one design from the Urban Environment and Development Committee.
Source of Funds:
Funds are provided for this purpose in the 1999 Capital Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that the Jane and Finch Streetscape Project, Phase One be adopted.
Background:
The Jane and Finch streetscape design concept developed by the North York Planning
Department, with the participation of the North York Parks and Recreation, Public Works and
Transportation Departments, as well as, Metropolitan Toronto Transportation Department was
adopted by the former North York Council at its June 11, 1997 meeting.
On April 29, 1998, the City of Toronto Council approved $85,000 for consultants to produce
the detailed design, working drawings, and tender ready documents for the first phase of the
streetscape project. A team of consultants was selected in October 1998 to prepare a tender
ready package.
On March 2, 1999, City of Toronto Council adopted the recommendation of the Budget
Committee to approve a maximum of $850,000 for the project over two years. For 1999,
$418,000 is provided for traffic safety improvements and $432,000 for lighting improvements
in 2000, subject to the approval of the Urban Environment and Development Committee. At
the same meeting, the Budget Committee recommended that the General Manager of
Transportation Services report back on funding priorities and the possibility of absorbing the
cost of the Jane and Finch project within the Transportation Capital Program.
Comments:
The first phase of the Jane and Finch streetscape project extends from Yewtree Boulevard to
Stong Court along Jane Street and from Driftwood Avenue to Norfinch Drive along Finch
Avenue West, and includes the boulevards on both sides of the streets and the main
intersection (refer to Appendix 1).
The public boulevards along Jane Street and Finch Avenue West are approximately 6m to
10m wide, with trees and grass that are in poor condition. The streetscape design proposed for
the boulevards includes elements that will green the area, and provide a safe and pleasant
pedestrian environment. Deciduous trees, wider and decorative sidewalks, benches, and
pedestrian lights are elements that will give colour and texture to the public space and enhance
its usability (refer to Appendix 2).
Deciduous trees at approximately 6m on centre will provide a dense canopy along the streets.
The existing sidewalks are 1.5m wide, undersized for an area that is heavily used by
pedestrians. The consultant proposes widening the sidewalks to approximately 2.1m by
providing 30cm decorative strips on both sides for easier pedestrian movement.
A lighting plan has been developed for the phase one construction with light standards spaced
at 17m on centre. The plan calls for luminaries and poles to be supplied and installed in
accordance with City of Toronto Works and Emergency Services specifications.
The public art component is attempting to reflect the essence of the rural Canadian landscape
through the use of native trees and stone boulders selectively placed in the boulevards. A
second public art component will be utilized to recognize members of the Jane/Finch
community through a wall, or walk of fame in which names of community leaders would be
engraved.
Conclusions:
City of Toronto Council approved $850,000 to be spent over two years, with $418,000 to be
spent in the first year for traffic safety improvements, and $432,000 for lighting improvements
in the year 2000. Staff of Transportation Services are reviewing the current and long range
programmed work in the immediate vicinity and will report separately to your committee on
the planned activities and a corresponding project phasing schedule. The lighting component
discussed herein could be implemented independent of any contemplated road work and
therefore it is recommended that the lighting component proceed this year.
Contact Name:
Mihaela Marcu
Civic Improvement, Urban Design
Tel: 416-392-1136
Fax: 416-392-1744
Email: mmarcu@toronto.ca
Reviewed by:
Paul J. BedfordVirginia M. West
Executive Director and Chief PlannerCommissioner of
City Planning DivisionUrban Planning and Development Services
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