Traffic and Parking Concerns in the

Ward 27, York-Humber

Director of Transportation Services, District 1

(November 15, 1999)

Purpose:

To respond to a request from York Community Council for a report on a traffic and parking proposal within the Cameron Avenue and Scott Road Area.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The funds required for constructing a modular concrete curb throat narrowing on the south-west corner of Scott Road at Cameron Avenue, estimated at $3,000.00, are contained in the Works and Emergency Services Department 1999 Capital Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) subject to a poll revealing the majority of residents on Scott Road between Holwood Avenue and Cameron Avenue support the construction of a modular concrete curb throat narrowing on the south-west corner of Scott Road and Cameron Avenue, a road alteration by-law be prepared and public notice be given; and

(2) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

York Community Council, at its meeting of October 12, 1999, requested a report on a traffic and parking proposal within the Cameron Avenue and Scott Road Area (Clause No. 8(e) of Report No. 10).

Comments:

On September 20, 1999, a public meeting was held at the York Civic Centre to hear a variety of safety and parking concerns within the Scott Road and Cameron Avenue area. The meeting was attended by local residents, Silverthorn Ratepayers Association, members of the Masjid-E-Noor mosque, the local Councillor and respective executive assistants, Toronto Police Services and municipal staff.

Outlined below is a response to the recommendations proposed to alleviate the concerns raised at the meeting:

(a) Construction of a throat narrowing on the south-west corner of Scott Road and Cameron Avenue:

Scott Road is currently by-lawed and signed in a one-way northbound direction between Rogers Road and Cameron Avenue, reverting to a two-way from Cameron Avenue to Eglinton Avenue West. To reinforce this one-way northbound regulation at the intersection, the southerly curb lane has been painted with hatch markings warning motorists not to enter.

As a result of motorists ignoring this prohibition, the residents are requesting we install a raised island, narrowing the south-west throat of the intersection to physically deter motorists from travelling further south on Scott Road illegally. In addition they are requesting a planter box, and a flashing red beacon on the island.

Construction of a raised island will not completely prevent motorists from ignoring the one-way northbound regulation, but it will provide a more positive indication of the entry prohibition.

Installation of a planter box on the raised island, however, would cause obstructed sight lines for northbound motorists on Scott Road approaching the Cameron Avenue intersection and is not recommended. Flashing beacons are installed to warn motorists of a hazard. The appropriate warning beacon for a "No Entry" prohibition with a physical obstruction would be amber in colour. However this would conflict with the "Stop" control at this intersection. Therefore, a flashing beacon is not recommended. We will, however, install the appropriate reflective hazard markers on the raised island.

(b) Establish a loading/unloading zone on the south side of Cameron Avenue, east of Scott Road:

Presently, on-street parking is exclusively allowed on the south side of Cameron Avenue, for a maximum unsigned period of three hours.

It is suggested that a "No Parking Anytime" regulation be established on the south side of Cameron Avenue, east of Scott Road for a distance of approximately 30 metres. The purpose of this suggestion is to provide a temporary loading/unloading zone to improve safety and discourage double parking on the street.

A "No Parking Anytime" regulation will not correct these concerns. Motorists can presently utilize no parking areas to temporarily load and unload, which are present for a distance of 15 metres at the intersection. Establishing a 30-metre "No Parking Anytime" prohibition on the south side of Cameron Avenue will result in a loss of approximately three on-street curb side parking spaces. Obviously, there is a high demand for on-street parking generated by both the residents and the mosque in this area every day. Any loss, therefore, of on-street parking would not benefit the overall community's needs.

(c) Implement a "No Stopping Anytime" regulation on Cameron Avenue and Scott Road:

Presently a signed "No Parking Anytime" regulation is in effect on the north side of Cameron Avenue from Keele Street to Blackthorn Avenue. Similarly, on-street parking is prohibited on the west side of Scott Road between Holwood Avenue and Cameron Avenue, and on both the east and west sides of Scott Road from Cameron Avenue to Eglinton Avenue West.

As stated earlier a parking prohibition permits motorists to temporarily load and unload, whereas a stopping prohibition prevents motorists from halting their vehicles even momentarily.

The suggestion is to change the current parking prohibition to a "No Stopping Anytime" regulation to prevent motorists from parking on the sidewalk and restricting traffic flow. This regulation would only result in compounding the parking problems on each of the streets, as motorists could only load and unload on one side of the street where parking is allowed. The resultant impact would cause double parking and impede traffic flow.

The residents' concern of motorists parking on the sidewalks is a valid safety concern, however, strict enforcement can resolve this problem.

(d) Change 15-metre parking prohibition to "No Standing Anytime" on the east side of Scott Road, south of Cameron Avenue:

This suggestion was considered and approved by York Community Council at its meeting of October 12, 1999.

Conclusions:

Constructing a modular concrete curb throat narrowing on the south-west corner of Scott Road and Cameron Avenue will provide positive reinforcement to the "No Entry" prohibition and is, therefore, recommended. The materials proposed are a modular concrete curbing installed on top of the existing roadway. The cost associated with this is estimated at $3,000.00.

The suggested on-street parking changes on Cameron Avenue and Scott Road would result in a loss to the current total complement of legal parking for the area, as well as exacerbate free traffic flow along both streets and are not supported or recommended. Residents' concerns of motorists parking on the sidewalks, double parking and blocking driveways are all matters that the Toronto Police Services, Parking Enforcement West can resolve and monitor on a regular basis. It is, therefore, recommended that these concerns be forwarded to the Toronto Police Services to ensure a strict enforcement program is maintained to provide a safe public environment for the total community.

Contact:

Jacqueline White

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 1

397-5021

392-8504 (fax)

jacqueline_white@city.toronto.on.ca