Provision of a "Student Pick-up/Drop Off" Zone

in front of St. Clements Early Learning School,

70 St. Clements Avenue (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 5, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:

Purpose:

To implement a "Student Pick-up/Drop-off Zone" in front of St. Clements Early Learning School, 70 St. Clements Avenue.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That the existing "No parking 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily" prohibition on the north side of St. Clements Avenue from Duplex Avenue to a point 65 metres west be adjusted to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday;

(2)That parking be allowed on the north side of St. Clements Avenue from Duplex Avenue to a point 65 metres west, for a maximum period of ten minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday;

(3)That parking be prohibited on the north side of St. Clements Avenue from Duplex Avenue to a point 65 metres west, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday; and

(4)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 Councillor Michael Walker on behalf of the principal of St. Clements Early Learning School, Works staff have investigated the feasibility of implementing a "Student Pick-up/Drop-off Zone" along the frontage of St. Clements Church, 70 St. Clements Avenue, which houses the St. Clements Early Learning School.

St. Clements Avenue between Duplex Avenue and Rosewell Avenue operates two way with a pavement width of 5.8 metres and a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. At present parking is prohibited along the frontage of the school on the north side of St. Clements Avenue, from Duplex Avenue to a point 65 metres west thereof, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily and parking is prohibited on the south side at anytime.

The Principal advised that there are approximately 190 pre-school children attending the school which has no scheduled school bus service. The majority of children arrive by car and are being dropped off by parents during three main periods throughout the day, namely between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. It is during these periods that parking is at a premium and a mechanism to encourage high turnover is necessary. To address this situation a "Student Pick-up/Drop-off Zone" should be established along the frontage of the church with appropriate signage indicating a maximum time limit for parking of ten minutes during the peak periods. There is sufficient area to accommodate approximately nine vehicles in the proposed zone. To avoid congestion in front of the church during off peak hours, parking will be prohibited at all other times between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. To accommodate weekend church activities, parking will be prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The above parking regulations will allow parents to leave a vehicle unattended in the zone for a maximum period of ten minutes during the peak periods to escort children into the school without the worry of being ticketed. However, given the narrow width of St. Clements Avenue (5.8 metres) additional signage will be posted on the south side of St. Clements Avenue along the frontage of the school indicating "No parking at anytime" to ensure that the south side is kept clear of vehicles. This is essential to maintaining an uninterrupted traffic flow past the church. Should parents park on the south side of the street, they would be subject to ticketing.

The efficient operation of the "Student Pick-up/Drop-off Zone" and the resulting impact of the zone on the area and its residents will be reliant upon parents' compliance with the parking regulations in front of the school during the peak periods. If parking occurs on both sides of the street during these periods, the result will create a bottleneck situation during the peak periods due to the narrow pavement width, and motorists will be unable to pass by the school on St. Clements Avenue without having to stop and wait. In addition, given the close proximity of the school to the intersection at Duplex Avenue, a two way collector road which carries a daily volume of approximately 9,000 to 10,000 vehicles, increased congestion in front of the school could also cause congestion on Duplex Avenue for vehicles waiting to turn onto St. Clements Avenue from Duplex Avenue during the peak periods of pick-up/drop-off at the school. Accordingly, staff will monitor the subject location to evaluate the flow of traffic and the effectiveness of the posted signage and will report back to Toronto Community Council should changes to the proposed regulations be required.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Erin Holl, (392-7892)

Co-ordinator, Transportation Operations Section