STAFF REPORT
December 15, 1999
To: North York Community Council
From: Roberto Stopnicki
Director, Transportation Services, District 3
Rob Dolan
Director, Community Planning, North District
Subject: North York OPA 447 (North York Centre Secondary Plan)
Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association
Ward 10 - North York Centre
Purpose:
This report outlines a strategy to address concerns put forward by the Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association with
respect to transportation matters arising from the North York Centre Secondary Plan (OPA 447). In particular, their
objection deals with the implementation and monitoring of the City's progress toward achieving the Centre's targetted 60%
non auto mode split.
This report recommends the retention of a transportation consultant to conduct an independent review of these
transportation matters, as well as report on, amongst other things, the possibility of undertaking an interim monitoring
program in light of the Sheppard Subway construction activity which is anticipated to continue into the year 2002, and has
curtailed the ability to conduct the full program.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Additional one-time funds in a total amount not to exceed $50,000 are required to retain an independent consultant. These
funds are to be divided equally by the Works and Emergency Services and the Urban Planning and Development Services
Departments and added to their Operating Budget submissions for the year 2000.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) staff in the Works and Emergency Services and Urban Planning and Development Services Departments be authorized
to retain an independent transportation consultant to address transportation matters which arise in part from North York
Centre Secondary Plan (OPA 447), and in particular, the implementation and monitoring of the City's progress towards
achieving the Centre's targetted 60% non auto mode split, subject to the Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association
withdrawing their objections to North York Centre Secondary Plan (OPA 447);
(2) staff be authorized to prepare a Terms of Reference, which should include amongst other matters, an interim
monitoring approach in light of the Sheppard Subway construction activity;
(3) the necessary funds in a total amount not to exceed $50,000 be allocated in the respective Department 2000 Operating
Budgets;
(4) staff be directed to bring forward a report on the findings of the independent study; and,
(5) staff be authorized to undertake necessary actions to give effect to these recommendations.
Background:
The Ontario Municipal Board has scheduled a Hearing, to commence February 7, 2000, on the outstanding appeals to OPA
447 (the North York Centre Secondary Plan ). The Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association is not an appellant, but has
filed an objection to parts of OPA 447. Their main concerns deal with the transportation components of the North York
Centre Secondary Plan as it relates to the implementation and monitoring of the City's progress towards achieving the
Centre's targetted 60% non auto mode split.
The Works and Emergency Services and Urban Planning and Development Services Departments propose to fund and
retain a consultant to review these transportation matters and to subsequently report on the issue of implementation and
monitoring of the City's progress.
Comments:
Due to the road disruptions and changes in travel patterns caused by the Sheppard Subway construction in the North York
Centre, the City has not been able to undertake the bi-annual transportation monitoring program - 1999 is the cycle year for
the employee travel demand survey. Any survey data or information collected during this unstable period will not be
representative of actual travel patterns and behaviour, and therefore not comparable to previous surveys. Part of the
consultants' mandate will be to address the issue of a possible interim approach to satisfy the requirement for ongoing
transportation monitoring. This program should take into account the limitations presented by the Sheppard Subway
construction and associated traffic disruptions.
The independent consultants' review of the transportation matters arising from North York OPA 447 should be initiated in
the first quarter of the Year 2000 and be completed within the calender year. Staff will bring forward a report to Council
outlining the findings of the review.
Conclusions:
The approach proposed in this report will provide an opportunity for the City to address the concerns put forward by the
Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association with respect to implementation of transportation matters in the North York
Centre. Furthermore, the consultant's independent review will provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the Plan's
transportation objectives and the City's progress toward meeting the goals contained in OPA 447.
Contact Name:
Michael Mizzi, Senior Planner
Community Planning, North District
Telephone: (416) 395-7106
Marta Roias, Senior Transportation Planner
Transportation Planning, North District
Telephone: (416) 395-7461
Roberto Stopnicki,
Director, Transportation Services, District 3
Rob Dolan,
Director, Community Planning, North District
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