Amendments to Parking and Traffic Regulations -

Simcoe Street between Queen Street West and

Dundas Street West (Downtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (November23, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to correct anomalies that exist in Chapter 400 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code resulting from the closure of a section of Simcoe Street as a public highway and conveyance of lands to Canada Life Assurance Company for redevelopment.

Funding Sources:

As stipulated under the terms of the development Agreement, the cost for removing the parking meters and posts and adjusting or removing regulatory signage associated with the road closure (estimated to be about $3,000.00) will be born by the developer.

Recommendations:

(1)That the one-way northbound regulation on Simcoe Street from Queen Street West to Elm Street be rescinded;

(2)That the disabled persons parking space on the east side of Simcoe Street from a point 130 metres north of Queen Street West to a point 5.5 metres further north, be removed;

(3)That the standing prohibition at anytime on both sides of Simcoe Street from a point 200 metres north of Queen Street West to a point 55 metres further north, be rescinded;

(4) That the parking prohibition at anytime on the west side of Simcoe Street from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West, be rescinded;

(5) That the regulation authorizing the operation of parking meters from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday for a maximum period of one hour at a rate of $0.25 for 15 minutes and $1.00 for 60 minutes, on the east side of Simcoe Street from Queen Street West to a point 200 metres north, be rescinded;

(6) That the regulation restricting parking for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, on the east side of Simcoe Street from Queen Street West to a point 200 metres north, be rescinded;

(7)That traffic operation be restricted to one-way northbound on Simcoe Street from a point 200 metres north of Queen Street West to Elm Street;

(8)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the west side of Simcoe Street from a point 255 metres north of Queen Street West to Dundas Street West;

(9) That standing be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Simcoe Street:

a) from Queen Street West to Pullan Place;

b) from a point 162 metres north of Queen Street West to a point 93 metres further north;

(10) That a "Stop" sign be installed for eastbound traffic on Pullan Place at Simcoe Street; and

(11)That 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.

Background:

The Council of the former City of Toronto, at its meeting of September 16, 1996, authorized the closing and conveyancing of portions of the Simcoe Street road allowance between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West, the establishment of a pedestrian way north of Pullan Place and the establishment of a new east-west road between Simcoe Street and St. Patrick Street (Clause 9 of City Services Committee Report No. 11, adopted as amended by City Council on September 16, 1996).

Comments:

On October 8, 1998, the lands comprising Simcoe Street from Pullan Place to a point about 118 metres further north (in front of Premises No. 190 Simcoe Street) were conveyed to Canada Life Assurance Company and this section of roadway was stopped up and closed to vehicular traffic. Simultaneously, a new temporary road linking St. Patrick Street and Simcoe Street was opened as a public road.

Several traffic regulations respecting traffic operation and parking on the new link road were addressed in my report of June 10, 1998 entitled, Traffic and Parking regulations on the new east-west leg of Simcoe Street between Simcoe Street and St. Patrick Street (Downtown) (Clause 24 in Toronto Community Council Report No. 8) and the recommendations outlined therein were approved by City Council at its meeting of July 8, 9 and 10, 1998.

Regulations required to enhance traffic operation on the reconfigured section of Simcoe Street between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West were not discussed in my earlier report. In this regard, the appropriate amendments to several parking and operational regulations on Simcoe Street, as set out in the Recommendations above, should be implemented to enhance traffic circulation and safety.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Ron Hamilton, Transportation Operations Co-ordinator, 392-1806