Implementation of Enhanced Parking/Standing Regulations -

Bremner Boulevard, from York Street to

Lake Shore Boulevard West (Downtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (January6, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to implement more appropriate parking/standing regulations on the subject section of Bremner Boulevard to better satisfy the operational requirements of the street and facilitate passenger pick-up/drop-off at the Air Canada Centre.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to undertake the necessary signage adjustments in the estimated amount of $1,500.00 are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Current Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That the parking prohibition at anytime on both sides of Bremner Boulevard from Lake Shore Boulevard West to York Street, be rescinded;

(2)That standing be prohibited at anytime:

(a)on the south and west sides of Bremner Boulevard from York Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West;

(b)on the north side of Bremner Boulevard from York Street to the east end of the east-west leg;

(c)on the east side of Bremner Boulevard from the north end of the north-south leg to a point 20.0 metres south; and

(d)on the east side of Bremner Boulevard from a point 50.0 metres south of the north end of the north-south leg to Lake Shore Boulevard West;

(3)That standing be prohibited from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., daily on the east side of Bremner Boulevard from a point 20.0 metres south of the north end of the north-south leg to a point 30.0 metres further south;

(4)That a "Taxicab Stand" (6 vehicles), operating between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., daily, be identified on the east side of Bremner Boulevard from a point 20.0 metres south of the north end of the north-south leg to a point 30.0 metres further south;

(5)That parking be allowed for a maximum period of 15 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily on the east side of Bremner Boulevard from a point 20.0 metres south of the north end of the north-south leg to a point 30.0 metres further south; and

(6)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be required.

Background:

The Toronto Community Council at its meeting of December 9 and 10, 1998, in considering my report (December 8, 1998) entitled, "Air Canada Centre - Assumption of Bremner Boulevard (Downtown)" (Clause 51 in Toronto Community Council Report No. 16) recommended the adoption of this report which, among other things, recommended concurrent with the completion of the conveyances and land registrations to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor respecting lands dedicated for public highway purposes and named to form part of Bremner Boulevard, that parking be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Bremner Boulevard from Lake Shore Boulevard West to York Street. These recommendations were adopted by City Council at its meeting of December 16 and 17, 1998.

Comments:

Although the traffic levels and parking demands on Bremner Boulevard in the vicinity of the Air Canada Centre will be monitored on an ongoing basis as the facility becomes fully operational, having had the opportunity for a closer inspection of Bremner Boulevard and following discussions with representatives of Read, Voorhees and Associates (traffic consultants representing the Air Canada Centre) and reviewing their Transportation and Traffic Operations Plan, it has become apparent to staff that the current parking prohibition on both sides of Bremner Boulevard from York Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West is not stringent enough to enhance traffic operation and safety. Specifically:

(a)the parking prohibition allows motorists to legally "stand" (the halting of a vehicle while occupied) without limitation at any point on the street; and

(b)as the members of the Toronto Community Council are aware, Transportation staff have endeavoured to facilitate parking for disabled persons wherever possible to make Toronto an accessible community for persons with physical disabilities. To achieve this objective, vehicles displaying a valid permit for the disabled are exempt from scheduled parking prohibitions. The current parking prohibition on Bremner Boulevard will enable lawful parking by such vehicles.

In both instances, given the anticipated pedestrian and vehicular traffic generation to and from the Air Canada Centre, parking or standing by any vehicle for an extended period of time on the travelled portion of Bremner Boulevard will impede traffic operation and create a potential safety problem.

Although some infraction is still likely to occur, prohibiting standing at anytime on Bremner Boulevard from York Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West (except where noted below) will significantly resolve this potential problem and provide enforcement officers with the legal mechanism to encourage motorists to "move along". The standing prohibition will allow motorists to legally stop momentarily to pick-up or drop-off passengers.

Notwithstanding, a lay-by is situated on the east side of the north-south leg of Bremner Boulevard from a point 20 metres south of the traffic circle at the north end of the street to a point 30 metres further south where the pavement widens from about 6 metres to about 8 metres. Air Canada Centre representatives have expressed an interest in having short term parking and/or charter bus loading provisions made in this area.

Based on our assessment, parking could be allowed in the lay-by for a maximum period of 15 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily. This would allow motorists to legally park for a few minutes to visit the ticket office at the Air Canada Centre. Although daytime events will occur at the Air Canada Centre, the short-term parking regulation combined with strict enforcement by the Police Service should discourage parking by motorists attending the event. However, this daytime concession to parking will allow persons with disabled parking permits to legally park without restriction in the lay-by from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Vehicles, including buses may legally stop anywhere and at anytime on Bremner Boulevard to pick-up or drop-off passengers, therefore, making special provisions for bus loading in the lay-by would appear to be redundant. On the other hand, the lack of an authorized ATaxicab Stand@ in the immediate vicinity of the Air Canada Centre is of concern.

Conditions at Maple Leaf Gardens routinely require patrons to hail passing taxicabs which often results in traffic congestion on Carlton Street after events at MLG. The likelihood of similar conditions occurring at the Air Canada Centre would be reduced if the lay-by on the east side of Bremner Boulevard were to operate as a "Taxicab Stand" from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., daily (the period when most events will be occurring at the Air Canada Centre). The lay-by would accommodate about 6 taxicabs and would quickly become recognized by patrons as a place where they may hire a taxicab. Standing would be prohibited from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily in the lay-by.

Staff will continue to monitor traffic operations in the vicinity of the Air Canada Centre, which will include a review of options which might designate passenger pick-up/drop-off areas and/or a taxicab stand on the Bay Street side of the complex. If necessary, I will report to a future meeting of the Toronto Community Council on these or any other modifications that might become necessary to enhance traffic operation in the vicinity of the Air Canada Centre.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Ron Hamilton, Transportation Operations Coordinator, 392-1806.