STAFF REPORT
March 1st, 2000
To: Chairman and Members of the North York Community Council
From: Donna Perrin, North District manager, Municipal Licensing and Standards and Court Services, Urban Development
Services
Subject:Request for Exemption to Noise By-Law # 31317 for DVP Bridge over Don River Reconstruction/Contract
FS00-03S
Purpose:
of Toronto Works and Emergency Services has applied for an exemption to the Noise By-law for the period between
March 1st,2000 to September 1st, 2000. The purpose of the request is so that the reconstruction of the bridge over the Don
River (immediately north of the Lawrence Avenue interchange) can be completed in the shortest possible time thus
minimizing disruption to the users of the Don Valley Parkway and the surrounding residences. The exemption is being
requested to permit activity between 7:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. Monday to Saturday, and between 9:00 A.M. and (:00 P.M.
on Sundays and Statutory Holidays. In cases where lane restrictions are imposed or road closures of the Don Valley
Parkway are required during construction, night work will be necessary to minimize the disruption to the daytime users of
the Don Valley Parkway. This work will occur generally between 9:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. the next day with a couple of
weekend closures.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications for the City with regard to this matter.
Recommendations:
As the reconstruction is required to maintain the integrity of the bridge, it is recommended that the application be
approved.
Background:
The bridge in question is located on the Don Valley Parkway over the Don River, immediately north of the Lawrence
Avenue interchange. The reconstruction of this bridge under Contract number FS00-03S with the City, is required to
maintain the structural integrity of the bridge.
Comments:
The proposed reconstruction under Contract FS00-03S will consist of the following construction activities: concrete
breaking; loading of trucks with concrete and reinforcing steel; grinding of asphalt; sawcutting of wood and concrete;
running of diesel generators, compressors and like machinery; and back-up beepers installed on the contractor's equipment
for safety reasons.
The surrounding residential neighbourhoods are above the work-site and despite the visual access to the proposed work to
the bridge, it is unlikely that noise will have a major impact. The residences to the east of the project may be impacted by
this work, but not likely in a major way due to the distance from the work-site. The apartment buildings on Roanoke Road
and the residences on Cornerbrook Drive and Doonaree Drive are also many metres above the work-site.
In addition, we are advised that breaking of concrete will not occur between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the
following day to minimize the impact on the residential neighbourhoods. Noise readings will also be taken by the
applicant's staff before and during work periods to monitor the impact on the surrounding communities.
Advertisements for the request for the exemption were placed in the Toronto Sun Newspaper Friday February 25th, 2000
and appeared on page 32. Contact was made with the local Councillors, but no noteworthy negative comments were
received.
Conclusions:
The application for a noise exemption has been submitted by the City of Toronto, Works and Emergency Services for the
period of March 1st, 2000 to September 1st, 2000, to permit work from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. from Monday to Saturday,
and between 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on Sundays and Statutory Holidays and allow construction equipment to work
during these hours. The former City of North York Noise By-Law # 31317 prohibits construction equipment from working
from 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. the following day and prohibits such work on Sundays and Statutory Holidays.
Based on the necessity to complete the reconstruction of the bridge, every effort has been made to complete the work in the
shortest time frame and thus minimizing the disruption to the users of the Don Valley Parkway and the surrounding area
residents. It is recommended that the request for the exemption be approved, subject to following conditions:
(1)That the request for an exemption from the North York Noise By-Law be approved for a time period not to exceed six
(6) months; and
(2)That information bulletins be circulated providing a contact for residents to call for excessive noise complaints, and that
Works and Emergency Services investigate the complaints and consider potential noise mitigation for the activity
conducted by their contractors(s).
Donna Perrin, North District Manager
Municipal Licensing and Standards and Court Services
Urban Development Services
c.c. Gordon Chong, Councillor Ward 11 Don Parkway
Denzil Minnan-Wong, Councillor Ward 11 Don Parkway
