Reinstatement of Parking Meters on the South Side

of Eglinton Avenue West in the Cedarvale Area

Ward 28, York Eglinton

The York Community Council submits, without recommendation, the report (November17,1998) from the Managing Director, Economic Development.

The York Community Council reports having directed the York Manager, Traffic/Parking, to:

(1)forward his further report on the traffic and parking situation, directly to the December16,1998 meeting of Council; and

(2)meet with representatives of the Upper Village BIA, the Cedarvale Traffic Committee, and the Director, Small Business and Local Partnerships, in an effort to find mutually beneficial solutions to the parking situation.

The York Community Council submits the following report (November 27, 1998) from the Managing Director, Economic Development:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to determine the economic impact on the businesses in the Upper Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) as a result of the removal of on-street parking on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Menin Road and Rostrevor Road.

Funding Sources:

It is anticipated that some minor costs will be incurred by the City of Toronto Parking Authority for the reinstallation of 17 parking meters.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)metered parking be reinstated on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West between MeninRoad and Rostrevor Road;

(2)the City of Toronto Parking Authority be directed to meet with the Board of Management of the Upper Village BIAs to review current parking issues and to investigate the possibilities for added off street parking spaces or facilities; and

(3)appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

At its meeting held on June 25, 1997, the former City of York Council adopted the Cedarvale Neighbourhood Speed and Traffic Management Plan, as prepared by Delcan Corporation. The Plan was based on the principles set by a local Traffic Task Force Committee which concluded that future Traffic Task Force measures should:

• enhance and promote the sustainability of the community life on all the neighbourhood streets;

Creduce vehicular speeds within the neighbourhood and promote safety of all road users; school children and other pedestrian, and cyclists;

Cdiscourage non-local traffic, while improving the internal and external access for the community; and

Csupport the needs of the business community.

As part of the Plan, several measures were recommended which included turning restrictions, road narrowing, speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, community signs, the introduction of parking on residential streets, and the removal of parking on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West between Menin Road and Rostrevor Road.

As a result of the implementation of the Speed and Traffic Management Plan, business representatives and several area residents appeared before York Community Council on September16, 1998, to express concerns relating to the negative impact to the businesses resulting from the removal of metered parking on Eglinton Avenue West between Menin Road and RostrevorRoad. The matter was subsequently referred to Toronto Council on October 1 and 2, 1998 and to the Urban Environment and Development Committee on November 1 and 2, 1998, and has since been referred back to York Community Council for further consideration and recommendation to Toronto Council.

Comments:

Historical Perspective

Within the Upper Village area there are two Business Improvement Areas, with separate Boards of Management. One is located on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, in the former City of York, the other is located on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West, in the former City of Toronto.

Both of the BIAs are currently attempting to address the negative impacts caused by the excavation and remedial construction relating to the Eglinton West subway station. The construction involved sidewalk closures, removal of elements of previous improvements including benches and trees, road excavation and the removal of parking for businesses. During this period, businesses along both sides of the Allen Road suffered loss of customers and business revenue and in some cases leading to bankruptcies. According to many businesses they have never fully recovered from this project. Since then significant capital investment has been made on behalf of the provincial and municipal levels of government in addition to contributions from local businesses. Approximately $515,000 has been invested in the area on streetscaping, including promotional campaigns to attract customers back to the area. The BIAs average annual budget of $182,000 dollars is anticipated to be at the same level for 1999. The area is now experiencing a progressive level of growth and investment, which is evident through the number of building permits issued and reduced vacancies. However, there is still the perception that construction is ongoing and that parking is scarce.

The area is successfully now emerging as a regional destination for dining and specialty food shopping and is promoted through festivals, newspaper advertisements, brochures (Celebration of Food) and flyers. The October 3, 1998, Festival of the Arts, attracted approximately 15,000 people. Arts related businesses and personal services also play a strong role in complimenting the area's mix of businesses and are promoted as means to draw new customers and visitors to the area. Economic Development staff and the BIA membership have worked closely over the past five years in developing a theme and initiatives to attract customers, and are currently discussing the possibilities of merging the two associations.

Economic Impact

Property owners along this one kilometer commercial retail strip collectively pay over $1.6 million dollars in realty taxes. The current loss of parking could eventually lead to a significant decline in revenue for the City as a result of vacancies, bankruptcies and a decline in reinvestment. The Chair of the Upper Village BIA (Toronto) has estimated that approximately 80 percent of the customers to this area come from communities to the north such as Woodbridge, Thornhill and RichmondHill. Based on these characteristics, any reduction in parking would have an immediate effect on businesses particularly those within the immediate area where parking has been eliminated.

According to John C. Williams of the J.C. Williams Group Limited, the value of one parking space is equivalent to between $40,000 to $60,000 in gross sales for each business within the subject area. Accordingly, it is estimated that as a result of losing 17 parking spaces, the businesses in the area could lose up to an estimated $1 million dollars in gross sales per year.

Current Pressures

The drawing power of the Upper Village BIAs is not only based on the quality of goods and services offered to the public, but also on the availability of parking that is affordable and convenient. Competition for clients in the immediate area and regionally is high. The Eglinton Way BIA, a retail strip immediately to the east, where on-street is available, markets itself to the same target customers. One of the biggest competitors is the Yorkdale Mall to the north which provides parking at no cost to its clients. Typically, retail strips north of Eglinton Avenue take the form of strip malls with ample on site parking offering proximity to goods and services.

Another issue is The Village Shule, located at the north side of Eglinton Avenue West at Old Park Road, which is currently under construction and scheduled for occupancy in early 1999. This development is three times the density of the site, totalling 1,480 square metres of gross floor area, with no on-site parking. It is anticipated that this development will further reduce the supply of convenient parking for local businesses.

According to the Toronto Parking Authority staff, short term parking demand for the area is high in the case of all three Toronto Parking Authority lots. One of these lots is subject to a short term lease and is therefore vulnerable to redevelopment which could result in a further loss of 43 parking spaces. A further demand results from commuters to the area, reflecting high rates of occupancy for the two Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) owned commuter-parking facilities located adjacent to the Eglinton West subway station. As these spaces are used by commuters, there are few spaces, if any, left for shoppers.

Conclusions:

As customers prefer shopping in areas where parking is close and accessible, any removal of parking spaces within the two Upper Village BIAs would seriously impact on the business health of the area, including the significant work that has already been invested in the area through reconstruction and streetscaping. Economic Development staff is therefore recommending, that the 17 metered parking spaces be reinstalled, and that the City of Toronto Parking Authority be requested to meet with representatives of the two BIAs to review current parking issues and to investigate ways of adding parking spaces or facilities to the area.

Contact Names

Ron Nash

Economic Development Officer

York Civic Centre

Tel:394-2889

Bill Steiss

Director

Small Business and Local Partnerships

Tel:394-2613

Brenda Librecz

Managing Director

Economic Development Division

Tel:397-4700

The York Community Council also reports having had before it the following communications during consideration of the foregoing matter:

(i)(December 9, 1998) from Mr. Hersh Forman, Toronto, to Councillor Joe Mihevc, advising that as a member of the Cedarvale Traffic Committee and Task Force, it is imperative that the Committee have an opportunity to be heard prior to any measures being taken to reinstate the parking meters on Eglinton Avenue West; and that this would be directly against the recommendation of the Task Force, subsequently approved by the former Council, which has spent two years developing and considering all the ramifications of the plan, in consultation with members of the community; and

(ii)(December 9, 1998) from Mr. Farley Cohen, advising that part of the process for dealing with the Cedarvale traffic issues, was an integrated plan, including the removal of meters on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West which is very important to the effectiveness of the overall plan; that in exchange for removing the meters, other components of the plan included and have been implemented, new parking spaces on side streets, reduced turn restrictions into the neighbourhood, and free on-street parking on Eglinton Avenue West in the evenings (no parking meters); that consideration was also given to reduced parking rates in the neighbourhood parking lots and possible acquisition of further parking facilities; that the BIA was involved in the deliberations and meetings throughout the past two years and was aware of the proposed changes; that any changes considered to the current plan should be in consultation with the Cedarvale Neighbourhood Traffic Plan Steering Committee, and possibly with the entire Cedarvale Traffic Plan Committee; and that it would be inappropriate to make changes without the input of the neighbourhood residents.

The following persons appeared before the York Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Dr. George Milne, Vice Chair, Upper Village BIA;

-Ms. Grace Russo, Retail Coordinator, Upper Village BIA.

-Mr. Phil Hutchinson, Property Manager, 989 Eglinton Avenue West;

-Mr. George Calabrese, Toronto;

-Ms. Esme Temple, Toronto;

-Mr. Bruno Lopardo, Toronto;

-Mr. Leon Taomina, Toronto;

-Dr. Lionel Goldstein, Toronto;

-Mr. Bernie Good, Toronto;

-Ms. Diana Sideris, Toronto;

-Mr. Francis Mulle, Toronto;

-Mr. Paul Coulbeck, Toronto;

-Mr. Joe Aaron, Toronto;

-Mr. Alex Petrocco, Toronto.