Parking for Persons with Physical Disabilities

Fronting Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre

at 1369 St. Clair Avenue West (Davenport)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (March 15, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

To replace the existing taxicab stand on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West fronting Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre with a "No Parking Any Time" regulation in order to provide more parking opportunity for persons in possession of a valid disabled persons parking permit.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the implementation of the proposed parking regulations, estimated at $500.00, are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Current Estimates.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the existing taxicab stand located on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West, between a point 79 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue and a point 101 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue, be replaced with a "No Parking Any Time" regulation; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Comments:

At the request of Councillor Betty Disero, Transportation Services staff reviewed the feasibility of replacing the existing taxicab stand to provide enhanced parking opportunities for persons with physical disabilities on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West, west of Lansdowne Avenue in front of Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre. A "No Parking Any Time" zone currently exists from a point 54 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue to a point 79 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue. A taxicab stand for three taxis is operational at all times, except from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, between a point 79 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue and a point 101 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue. A "No Parking" regulation is in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, between a point 101 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue and Caledonia Road. Parking in this area is permitted for a maximum period of one hour from 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and for three hours at other times.

The above-noted "No Parking Any Time" zone, from a point 54 metres west of Lansdowne Avenue, is approximately 25 metres long. A fire hydrant is located approximately four metres west of the easterly limit of this zone. Taking into account proper clearance for the fire hydrant, persons with physical disabilities have approximately 18 metres, or three vehicle lengths, in which to park their cars.

As a former Metropolitan arterial roadway, St. Clair Avenue West is at the present time regulated under the Metropolitan Uniform Traffic By-law. Under this by-law, there are no provisions for designating specially marked areas on an arterial roadway specifically for the parking use of persons with physical disabilities. However, vehicles which display a valid disabled permit are exempted from certain "No Parking Any Time" regulations.

It should be noted that the Taxicab Advisory Committee is concerned with this proposal. However, observations by staff have indicated that this taxicab stand is not used regularly.

Councillors Disero and Fotinos have been consulted on this proposal and are in agreement.

Conclusions:

It is possible to increase the parking available for persons with disabilities by replacing the existing taxicab stand with a "No Parking Any Time" regulation on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West in the vicinity of Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre. This change will provide additional parking opportunities for persons with physical disabilities without a significant negative impact on the safety or level of service on St. Clair Avenue West.

Contact Name:

Jacqueline White

Manager Traffic Operations

District 1

Tel.: (416) 397-5021