Elizabeth Street, West Side, from Dundas Street West to Hagerman

Street (in the Vicinity of the Rear Entrance/Exit Doors at

City Hall) - Provision of an On-street Loading Zone for

Disabled Persons (Downtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that:

(1)the following report (March 4, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1 be approved;

(2)the Minister of Transportation and/or his designates be requested to meet with a delegation from the City of Toronto comprised of Members of Council, senior staff and representatives of the Toronto Police Service for the purpose of reviewing the process dealing with the issuance and use of Disabled Persons Parking Permits as described in the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations, with the view to standardizing and clarifying procedures across the Province, including exemptions from City traffic by-laws afforded to holders of Disabled Persons Parking Permits, so as to minimize confusion on behalf of the public as to the appropriate and proper use of these permits;

(3)the Toronto Police Services Board be requested to consult with the Ministry of Transportation on a standardized province-wide system of enforcement respecting the use or misuse of Disabled Persons Parking Permits; and

(4)the City Clerk be requested to circulate these recommendations to the Clerks of all Ontario Municipalities with a population greater than 100,000, with the request that they refer this matter to their respective Councils to determine if they wish to participate in a forum in consultation with the Ministry of Transportation to assist in developing a standardized listing of exemptions to local traffic by-laws granted to holders of disabled persons parking permits, as noted in Recommendation No. (2).

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (March 4, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To keep the curb area at the rear of City Hall clear of vehicles and to enhance pick-up/drop-off opportunity for disabled persons.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to undertake the necessary signage adjustments in the estimated amount of $300.00 are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Current Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That the parking prohibition at anytime on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north, be rescinded;

(2)That a disabled persons loading zone be established on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north; and

(3)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 Downtown Councillor Kyle Rae, Works staff have investigated the provision of an on-street disabled loading zone on the west side of Elizabeth Street, between Dundas Street West and Hagerman Street in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall to facilitate Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off of disabled passengers.

Elizabeth Street, from Dundas Street West to Hagerman Street operates two-way on variable pavement widths ranging between 7.3 metres and 4.9 metres. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the west side of Elizabeth Street, (in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall) from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres north and in conjunction therewith, standard "Disabled Symbol" signs are affixed to the prohibited parking signs to advise handicapped parkers of their privilege. Parking is permitted on both sides of Elizabeth Street, from Dundas Street to Hagerman Street from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday (controlled by parking meters), otherwise parking is permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

A site inspection by Transportation staff revealed that vehicles displaying disabled persons parking permits park for extended periods of time on the west side of Elizabeth Street, just north of Hagerman Street, in the vicinity of the rear entrance/exit doors at City Hall under exemptions afforded them within "No Parking" areas. Wheeltrans buses often stop to pick-up/drop-off disabled persons in this area but frequently cannot gain access to the curb. As a result, they must double-park, at times creating potentially hazardous conditions for moving traffic and embarking/disembarking Wheeltrans passengers. Additionally, emergency vehicles as well as garbage trucks, currently experience manoeuvrability difficulties negotiating this portion of the street (given that the street is only 4.9 metres wide at this point) when vehicles are parked.

To alleviate this, a designated on-street loading zone for disabled persons could be provided on the west side of Elizabeth Street, from Hagerman Street to a point 25.9 metres further north. Implementation of this measure would keep the curb area at the rear of City Hall clear of vehicles, resulting in enhanced disabled passenger pick-up/drop-off operations and improved manoeuvrability. This measure would have a minor impact on on-street parking by disabled persons.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, 392-7771