Parking Regulations - Richmond Street West,

Adjacent to Queen West Community

Health Centre (Premises No. 168 Bathurst Street)

(Trinity-Niagara)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (February4, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To provide convenient short term parking for individuals attending the Queen West Community Health Centre and various businesses in the immediate vicinity.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to undertake the necessary signage adjustments in the estimated amount of $280.00 are contained in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Current Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That the parking prohibition at anytime on the north side of Richmond Street West, from Bathurst Street to a point 58.5 metres west, be adjusted to apply from Bathurst Street to a point 15.0 metres west;

(2)That parking be allowed for a maximum period of sixty minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, on the north side of Richmond Street West, from a point 15.0 metres west of Bathurst Street to a point 43.5 metres further west;

(3)That the Parking Authority of Toronto be requested to install parking meters/machines, to operate for a maximum period of sixty minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, at a rate of $1.00 for sixty minutes, on the north side of Richmond Street West, from a point 15.0 metres west of Bathurst Street to a point 43.5 metres further west; and

(4)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.

Comments:

At the request of Councillor Joe Pantalone, Transportation Services has investigated allowing parking on the north side of Richmond Street West, west of Bathurst Street to provide parking for people attending the Queen Street Community Health Centre.

The intersection of Richmond Street West and Bathurst Street is controlled by traffic control signals.

Richmond Street West, west of Bathurst Street operates one-way eastbound while east of Bathurst Street, it operates one-way westbound. In addition, eastbound left turns at Bathurst Street are prohibited at all times. Therefore all Richmond Street West traffic west of Bathurst Street must turn right onto Bathurst Street which only requires a single lane of traffic. The normal 30.5 metres to corner parking prohibition on the north side west of Bathurst Street adjacent to the traffic signals could be reduced in this case without adversely affecting the operational safety of the intersection.

The following parking regulations are currently in effect on Richmond Street West, immediately west of Bathurst Street:

North Side:

(i)Parking is prohibited at anytime from Bathurst Street to a point 58.5 metres west; and

(ii)Parking is prohibited between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday from 58.5 metres west of Bathurst Street to a point 76.2 metres further west (school zone).

South Side :

(i)Parking is prohibited at anytime; and

(ii)Traffic volumes recorded on Richmond Street West between Tecumseth Street and Bathurst Street are relatively low (less than 1,000 vehicles per eight hours), which is common on many residential streets in the City of Toronto.

The current "No Parking Anytime" regulation on the north side of Richmond Street West from Bathurst Street to a point 58.5 metres west (adjacent to the Queen West Community Health Centre), allows for picking-up/dropping-off of passenger(s) or goods in addition to the normal 30.5 metre parking prohibition adjacent to traffic signals. Consultation with Queen West Community Health Centre personnel revealed that this space is rarely used for such purposes and the implementation of several parking spaces would be more beneficial to patients attending the Centre than curb side loading space.

In light of the above, the length of the parking prohibition on the north side of Richmond Street West can be reduced from 58.5 metres to 15 metres west of Bathurst Street creating six parking spaces without adversely affecting operational safety. In addition, the installation of six parking meters to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday for a maximum period of one hour is the best method of deterring commuter parking, ensuring parking turnover and providing equitable use of on-street parking spaces.

Parking meters are to be installed by the Parking Authority of Toronto.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Bob Runnings, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771