Jane and Finch Streetscape Project (Black Creek - Ward 7)

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends that the recommendation in the report (March 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services be adopted subject to the addition of the following words:

"and the Committee advises Council that it supports the provision of $418,000.00 for traffic safety improvements in 1999 and $432,000.00 for lighting improvements for 2000 for Phase I of this project as recommended by Budget Committee and adopted by Council at its meeting on March 2, 1999 during consideration of the 1999 Capital Budget."

The Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services to report directly to Council for its meeting on May 11, 1999 on the implementation of this component of Phase I of the Jane and Finch Streetscape Project.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (March 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to respond to City Council's request of March 2, 1999 to get approval on the phase one design from the Urban Environment and Development Committee.

Source of Funds:

Funds are provided for this purpose in the 1999 Capital Budget.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Jane and Finch Streetscape Project, Phase One be adopted.

Background:

The Jane and Finch streetscape design concept developed by the North York Planning Department, with the participation of the North York Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Transportation Departments, as well as, Metropolitan Toronto Transportation Department was adopted by the former North York Council at its June 11, 1997 meeting.

On April 29, 1998, the City of Toronto Council approved $85,000.00 for consultants to produce the detailed design, working drawings, and tender ready documents for the first phase of the streetscape project. A team of consultants was selected in October 1998 to prepare a tender ready package.

On March 2, 1999, City of Toronto Council adopted the recommendation of the Budget Committee to approve a maximum of $850,000.00 for the project over two years. For 1999, $418,000.00 is provided for traffic safety improvements and $432,000.00 for lighting improvements in 2000, subject to the approval of the Urban Environment and Development Committee. At the same meeting, the Budget Committee recommended that the General Manager of Transportation Services report back on funding priorities and the possibility of absorbing the cost of the Jane and Finch project within the Transportation Capital Program.

Comments:

The first phase of the Jane and Finch streetscape project extends from Yewtree Boulevard to Stong Court along Jane Street and from Driftwood Avenue to Norfinch Drive along Finch Avenue West, and includes the boulevards on both sides of the streets and the main intersection (refer to Appendix 1).

The public boulevards along Jane Street and Finch Avenue West are approximately 6m to 10m wide, with trees and grass that are in poor condition. The streetscape design proposed for the boulevards includes elements that will green the area, and provide a safe and pleasant pedestrian environment. Deciduous trees, wider and decorative sidewalks, benches, and pedestrian lights are elements that will give colour and texture to the public space and enhance its usability (refer to Appendix 2).

Deciduous trees at approximately 6m on centre will provide a dense canopy along the streets. The existing sidewalks are 1.5m wide, undersized for an area that is heavily used by pedestrians. The consultant proposes widening the sidewalks to approximately 2.1m by providing 30cm decorative strips on both sides for easier pedestrian movement.

A lighting plan has been developed for the phase one construction with light standards spaced at 17m on centre. The plan calls for luminaries and poles to be supplied and installed in accordance with City of Toronto Works and Emergency Services specifications.

The public art component is attempting to reflect the essence of the rural Canadian landscape through the use of native trees and stone boulders selectively placed in the boulevards. A second public art component will be utilized to recognize members of the Jane/Finch community through a wall, or walk of fame in which names of community leaders would be engraved.

Conclusions:

City of Toronto Council approved $850,000.00 to be spent over two years, with $418,000.00 to be spent in the first year for traffic safety improvements, and $432,000.00 for lighting improvements in the year 2000. Staff of Transportation Services are reviewing the current and long range programmed work in the immediate vicinity and will report separately to your committee on the planned activities and a corresponding project phasing schedule. The lighting component discussed herein could be implemented independent of any contemplated road work and therefore it is recommended that the lighting component proceed this year.

Contact Name:

Mihaela Marcu

Civic Improvement, Urban Design

Tel: 416-392-1136

Email: mmarcu@toronto.ca

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Appendix 1 - Drawing 1

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 2

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 3

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 4

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 5

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 6

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Appendix 2 - Drawing 7

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The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, also having had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter a communication (April 16, 1999) from Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto, noting that the recommendations in the staff report concerning the Jane and Finch Streetscape are contrary to Council's decision in March of this year and, therefore, cannot be considered by the Committee, and suggesting the Committee may want to ask the Clerk to review the matter and/or recommend that the Ward Councillors reopen the matter by way of an Order Paper Motion before expending any funds for any purposes other than the ones already approved.