Request for a Disabled Parking Space

adjacent to 21 Dunkirk Road

The East York Community Council recommends that:

(1)Schedule 'E' of By-law No. 34-93, entitled "To provide for disabled person parking permit holders", as amended, be further amended to implement a disabled parking space adjacent to 21 Dunkirk Road, and that such signage be located on Mr. Ferreira's property;

(2)this disabled parking space be removed when Mr. Louis Ferreira no longer resides at 21 Dunkirk Road; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action, including the introduction of the necessary Bill in Council, to give effect thereto.

The East York Community Council submits the following report (May 4, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

To report to the East York Community Council on a request for a disabled parking space adjacent to 21 Dunkirk Road.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications associated with the recommendations in this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Comments:

The Works and Emergency Services Department received a request from Councillor Prue dated April9, 1999, to prepare a report for the East York Community Council regarding a request from Mr.Louis Ferreira, 21 Dunkirk Road, to install a disabled parking space adjacent to his home.

Dunkirk Road, between Binswood Avenue and Glebemount Avenue, is 7.3 metres (24.0 feet) wide and is regulated by "No Parking Anytime" restriction on the north side of the street and a "NoParking, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday to Friday inclusive" restriction on the south side. At other times, the south side of the street is regulated by the unsigned three-hour parking regulation. The property at 21 Dunkirk Road is located on the south side of the street.

Mr. Ferreira had initially submitted a letter dated January 11, 1999, requesting a disabled parking space on the street adjacent to his residence at 21 Dunkirk Road. He stated in his letter that he is having increased difficulty using his garage, and is therefore parking on the road. An investigation conducted by Transportation Services staff revealed that the property has access to parking on the property via a public lane at the rear of the property.

Disabled parking spaces are installed on the street for disabled residents who do not have any available parking on their property, in order that they can have nearby access to their vehicle. Since the property at 21 Dunkirk Road has available parking via a public lane at the back, this Department advised Mr. Ferreira in a letter dated February 19, 1999, that he was not eligible for a disabled parking space on the street.

In a subsequent telephone conversation on February 26, 1999, between a resident and Bryan Muir of this office, the resident stated that the garage at the rear of the property is 40 feet from the rear of the house whereas the curb space on the street is 20 feet from the front of the house. Mr. Muir reiterated that since parking is provided on the property, they are not eligible for a disabled parking space, and suggested relocating the parking at the rear to a point closer to the house or installing a disabled parking space.

Mr. Ferriera subsequently sent a follow-up letter to Councillor Prue dated March 22, 1999, regarding the results of the Transportation Services Division's investigation, advising of the proximity of a telephone pole at the front of the house that would prohibit the installation of a parking pad, and of the costs involved to relocate the parking space at the rear of the property closer to the house. In fact, a parking pad of approximately 2.44 metres (8.0 feet) by 6.1 metres (20.0 feet) may be feasible with the telephone pole in its present location, if Mr. Ferriera wishes to install one, since there is no clearance area required beside telephone poles.

He also stated that vehicles parking on the street are not being tagged on a regular basis for parking infractions. The Toronto Police Service - Parking Enforcement Unit, enforce the three-hour parking restriction on a complaint basis only. Therefore, Mr. Ferriera can contact the Parking Enforcement Unit a 808-6600 to request enforcement of the three-hour parking restriction.

Conclusions:

Since the property at 21 Dunkirk Road has available parking from the public lane at the rear of the property, they are not eligible for a disabled parking space on the street. Therefore, no further action is recommended at this time.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Bryan Muir, Work Zone Coordinator

397-4588

The East York Community Council also submits the following communication (May 25, 1999) from Louis and Beverley Ferreira, East York:

We are unable to be at the meeting this evening but wanted to state our concerns regarding a request for a disability parking sign at 21 Dunkirk Road.

The property has been inspected, and noted that there is access to a lane and a garage at the rear of the home. There is also room to put a parking pad at the front of our home.

As mentioned in our original request, Louis Ferreira is disabled and has problems walking, and that was the reason for the original request.

We are unable to afford to move the garage closer to the back door, and also unwilling to further reduce the size of our backyard if we went ahead with moving the garage. It would, I am sure reduce the property value of our home, if we reduced the size of our backyard. Also during the winter, lanes are not plowed in the first 24 hours, sometimes it is two - three days before the lane is plowed.

Regarding the installation of a parking pad at the front of our home:

(1)installing a parking pad at the front of our home, would take away all of the front yard, incur an expense that would be difficult for us to manage, and we believe reduce the value of our property;

(2)it would reduce the available parking on the street for both residents, visitors, and hospital employees; and

(3)our neighbour to the west is not in favour of this, as it would be very close to her sidewalk, an eyesore (seeing our van parking hear her front lawn) and she believes it would reduce her property value as well.

We believe that this outlines our position regarding a request for a disabled parking sign.