Street Lighting Improvements on Eglinton Avenue West

between Bicknell Avenue and Richardson Avenue

Ward 27, York-Humber

The York Community Council recommends the adoption of the report dated June 26, 1998 from the York Commissioner of Operations Services.

The Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested:

(i)the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission to proceed with the installation of the street lighting improvements as soon as possible; and

(ii)the York Commissioner of Operations Services to:

(a)submit a report to Council for consideration with this Clause, identifying the accounts to which this expenditure is to be charged; and

(b)remove the tree planter in front of 2524 and 2520 Eglinton Avenue West.

The Community Council submits the following report (June 26, 1998) from the York Commissioner of Operations Services:

Purpose:

To obtain approval to implement street lighting improvements on Eglinton Avenue West, from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue, as recommended by the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The estimated cost of the recommended street lighting improvements is $35,000.00. Funding of the improvements is proposed to be divided between Lane Lighting Capital Account No. 458-56 ($20,000.00) and Street Lighting Capital Account No. 459-561 ($15,000.00).

Recommendation:

It is recommended that City Council approve the expenditure of $20,000.00 from Lane Lighting Capital Account No.458-56 and $15,000 from Street Lighting Capital Account No. 459-561 towards street lighting improvements on Eglinton Avenue West, as recommended by the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission.

Background:

In March 1998, the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission, conducted a street lighting audit along Eglinton Avenue West, from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue. The audit was carried out at the request of the Keele-Eglinton Business Improvement Area, who feel strongly that improved street lighting will help address crime-related issues in the area. On May 6, 1998, York Community Council had before it a letter dated from April 9, 1998 from the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission identifying the results of their audit. The letter explained that, while the existing lighting exceeded that necessary for a major arterial road, Hydro recommends that six new poles be installed and that the existing 400 watt luminaires be replaced with 200 watt luminaires. The estimated cost of the proposed improvements is $35,000.00.

Upon further discussion with Hydro staff, they explained that the proposed additional poles and less powerful luminaires will not result in greater levels of street lighting, but in a more even distribution of the existing lighting levels. As a result, there will be fewer dark areas along this section of Eglinton Avenue West. Community Council deferred consideration of the Hydro recommendations pending a staff report regarding the feasibility of installing decorative pedestrian lighting in this area as a more effective means of improving safety and improving the area's appearance. Community Council also requested the General Manager of the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission to report on the level of lighting on arterial roads in York compared with other areas of the City.

The Community Council also requested that we clarify the procedure for the funding of street and lane lighting along with the approval process. Prior to amalgamation, the funding for the installation of street and lane lighting was provided within the current operating budget of the City. When Council approved the installation of lighting, the work was carried out by York Hydro. We understand that this is the procedure we are to continue to follow in 1998.

In 1997, the City of York allocated $20,000.00 for the installation of street lighting, $120,000.00 for the installation of lane lighting, and $449,000.00 for maintenance and energy cost. It is our understanding that this budget has been maintained in 1998. However, in 1997, the actual cost of maintenance and energy cost exceeded the budget by approximately $32,000.00. To keep the lighting budget within the approved funding, it is necessary that the shortfall of $32,000.00 be provided from lane lighting capital account. In addition the following expenditures have been committed to the aforementioned accounts:

Lane lighting:$18,100.00

Street lighting:$ 3,399.00

As the estimated cost for the street lighting improvements on Eglinton Avenue West between Bicknell Avenue and Richardson Avenue is approximately $35,000.00, that $15,000.00 be provided by the street lighting capital account and the balance of $20,000.00 be transferred from the lane lighting capital account to cover the full cost of this project.

At their meeting on June 24, 1998, York Community Council considered a letter dated June 19, 1998 from the Keele-Eglinton B.I.A., requesting that the installation of the proposed street lighting improvements not be delayed pending further study of arterial road lighting levels throughout Toronto or the feasibility decorative pedestrian lighting. Planning staff reported verbally that the issue of decorative pedestrian lighting will be addressed through a comprehensive streetscaping program being developed as part of the Eglinton Avenue West Community Plan, which will be presented to Council this Fall.

Funding of Recommended Street Lighting Improvements:

As noted above, funding for the proposed street lighting improvements can be drawn from the Lane Lighting Capital Account No. 458-56 ($20,000.00) and Street Lighting Capital Account No .459-561 ($15,000.00).

Conclusion:

On June 24, 1998, York Community Council approved street lighting improvements on Eglinton Avenue West in accordance with recommendations of the Toronto Hydro Electric Commission. The estimated cost of the improvements is $35,000.00. I recommend that funding of these improvements be drawn from the Lane Lighting Capital Account No. 458-56 ($20,000.00) and Street Lighting Capital Account No. 459-561 ($15,000.00).

Contact Name:

Chi H. Ng

York Director of Professional Services

Tel: 394-2648

Fax: 394-2888

The Community Council also submits the following communication (April 9, 1998) from the Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission to the York Economic Development Office:

In response to your request regarding the feasibility of installing lighting on both sides of Eglinton Avenue West from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue, I submit the following:

 Eglinton Avenue West:

-the existing lighting is well above the 22lux level recommended for a major arterial road;

-any improvement requires Council approval for required funding;

-adding additional illumination would increase operating costs as well as impairing motorists' visual acuity when entering and exiting the area;

-recommend replacing fourteen (14) existing 400 watt luminaires with 200 watt luminaires;

-install thirteen (13) additional 200 watt luminaires and six poles;

-upgrade the underground street lighting system between Bicknell Avenue and Keele Street.

Estimated cost is $35,000.00.

Lane Lighting

The only laneway in the immediate area that is not illuminated is located immediately south of Eglinton Avenue West and runs east and west from Yarrow Road to a dead end.

-recommend installing one pole and one luminaire in each section of laneway.

Estimated cost is $3,500.00.

The Community Council also submits the following communication (June 19, 1998) from Mr. Steve Tasses, Chair, Keele-Eglinton B.I.A.:

This letter is to inform you of two very important resolutions passed by the Keele-Eglinton Business Improvement Area at the June 9, 1998 Board of Management meeting as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the BIA.

The first resolution calls for the City of Toronto, York Community Council to approve upgrading street lighting on Eglinton Avenue from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue as identified in the Toronto Hydro audit of April 9, 1998. Since the Hydro audit was carried out business owners, residents, two police officers, a Hydro Inspector and Councillors Nunziata and Saundercook took part in a safety audit of the BIA which identified upgrading street lighting as a priority to improve the conditions on Eglinton Avenue West between Bicknell Avenue and Glenhaven Street, further east of the area identified in the Hydro audit.

The BIA feels that the installation of upgraded lighting should not be delayed while lighting levels on arterial roads in Toronto are compared as recommended by York Community Council on May 6, 1998. Furthermore, the BIA welcomes the possibility of decorative lighting at a later date as council recommended this be investigated on Eglinton Avenue West between Bicknell Avenue and Bathurst Street.

The second issue addresses the removal of a spray-painted planter containing a vandalized tree in the front of 2524 and 2520 Eglinton Avenue West. The Board of Management agreed to pass a resolution urging council to approve the removal of the tree planter at the above address and to remove the graffiti on the existing planters located on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West between Keele Street and Glenhaven Street.

By installing upgraded lighting and removing vandalized tree planters and trees, the Keele-Eglinton BIA will be two steps closer to improving the business and residential community in the area.

Thank you for your support in the above matters.

The Community Council also submits the following communication (May 27, 1998) from Mr.Murray S. Lennox, Vice President, Special Projects, Toronto Hydro-Electric Commission:

(1)As requested we have proceeded with the lighting of the east/west lane immediately south of Eglinton Avenue West, from Yarrow Road to a dead end. Estimated cost - $3,500.00.

(2)The proposed lighting improvements on both sides of Eglinton Avenue West, from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue, has been deferred.Estimated cost - $35,000.00.

(3)Decorative Lighting Fixtures - Eglinton Avenue West, from Bicknell Avenue to Richardson Avenue. Feasibility Study - we await your direction.

(4)(a)The level of lighting on arterial roads in York is the same as the rest of the new City of Toronto, except for North York and one or two streets in Toronto. The average maintained light level throughout the City on arterial roads is the minimum level of 2 fc recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). The average level on arterial roads in North York varies from 3 fc in residential areas, to 4 fc in commercial areas. In some parts of Toronto, the level is 2.5 to 3 fc. In various parts of the City where pedestrian scale lighting has been installed in addition to the standard street lighting, the light level has been increased above the minimum of 2 fc and varies from location to location, depending on the installation.

(b)Establishing a standard level of street lighting throughout the City of Toronto is an issue that needs to be addressed. This is an issue that was identified and discussed during the preparation of our recent proposal for street lighting to the City of Toronto, but was not included in the proposal document. We are prepared to address this concern at the convenience of the City. However, the proposal would create a capital investment for the City.

Mr. Steve Tasses, Chair, Keele-Eglinton BIA, appeared before the Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.