LANDSCAPING OF TRAFFIC CALMING LOCATIONS IN

THE FORMER CITY OF YORK

Ward 27, York Humber and Ward 28, York Eglinton.

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 25, 1999)

Purpose:

This report will outline possible locations for landscaping traffic calming areas and provide cost estimates to implement such a scheme.

Source of Funds:

Currently no funding is included in the Capital Works Programme for the Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Department to undertake this project. Funding for the proposed landscape improvements at an amount of $100,000 can be included for consideration in the 2000 - 2004 Capital Works Program.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1.this report be received for information by the York Community Council;

2.the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism consider the inclusion of $100,000 in the 2000 - 2004 Capital Works Program;

3.the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The York Community Council at its Septembert 16, 1998 meeting requested "the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to conduct a review of the City's locations with landscaped traffic calming measures, and to report on the feasibility of the City initially undertaking the planting of shrubbery and flowers at these sites, and subsequently transferring co-ownership to each of the abutting property owners for continued maintenance."

Comments:

The former City of York currently has 78 traffic calming locations, of which, 18 locations are suitable for landscape initiatives (appendix A). These locations vary in size and design. The cost to develop a formal landscape design and construction program will be approximately $5,000 per site. This will include design and development of working drawings, curb and asphalt removals as required, installation of new curb and gutter to resolve storm water and street drainage issues as needed, installation of new landscape structures, topsoil, sod and/or plant material as required.

Staff have discussed the "trasferring co-ownership" to the abutting owners with the Manager of Traffic Services. Traffic Services are the opinion that all lands within the defined road allowance should remain in the ownership of the City to ensure adequate safety and libility issues are maintained at their current level. Also, by maintaining total ownership of the road allowance, city staff can do regular maintenance and emergency repairs without seeking permission from a co-owner. There is also the potential that not all abutting owners will choose to become co-owners leaving a "patch work" of agreements that will be difficult for maintenance staff to work around.

Area supervisors from Economic Development, Culture & Tourism will work with local property owners and the area Councillors to see if an "Adopt a Park/Garden" type program can be accommodated at the locations listed (appendix A).

Contacts:

Frank Kershaw392-8199

Neil R. Zaph395-6065

Mike Schreiner396-7492

(A copy of the Appendix referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all members of Council, with the agenda of the York Community Council for the meeting of February17and18, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the Clerk's Division, YorkCivicCentre.)