Item - 2015.PW9.12
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on November 12, 2015. The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee postponed consideration of this item. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the deferral.
PW9.12 - Options for Permitting Street or Intersection Murals on Local Streets
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Deferred
- Ward:
- 36 - Scarborough Southwest
Committee Decision
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:
1. Deferred consideration of the item until its meeting on January 21, 2016; and
2. Requested the Director, Environment and Energy Division to report back to the January 21, 2016 meeting of Public Works and Environment Committee on the environmental impacts of street murals created with various materials, including chalk and different types of paint.
Origin
Summary
In July 2015, City staff were directed to examine the implications of a potential new Street Mural program, whereby local residents are granted permission to paint murals on the asphalt road surface of city streets. City Staff have investigated these projects in other cities, reviewed potential requirements in the City of Toronto, and do not recommend pursuing a new Street Mural program at this time.
While street murals do offer a community-building impact, they place considerable administrative, regulatory, and maintenance burdens on the City. Based on case study research, street murals provide no tangible traffic safety benefits.
City staff instead propose that during community road closures with appropriate approvals, communities are free to create temporary street murals with chalk or other materials that are naturally removed by the elements. This approach would provide community building impacts at no cost to the City and essentially no added risk to motorists or the artists.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-85338.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pw/comm/communicationfile-57104.pdf
(November 10, 2015) Letter from Dylan Reid, Walk Toronto (PW.New.PW9.12.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pw/comm/communicationfile-57108.pdf
(November 11, 2015) E-mail from Brandon Quigley (PW.New.PW9.12.3)
Motions
That consideration of the item be deferred until the January 21, 2016 meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
That the Director, Environment and Energy Division be requested to report back to the January 21, 2016 meeting of Public Works and Environment Committee on the environment impacts of street murals created with various materials, including chalk and different types of paint.