Item - 2016.TE13.30

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt the concept for the Hillside Drive Green Streetscape project, as shown in Attachment 3 to the report (December 3, 2015) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, and subject to refinement through detailed design as set out in Recommendation 3.

2.  City Council direct Transportation Services (Public Realm) to lead the Hillside Drive Green Streets project in all aspects towards implementation, subject to staff and budget resources available in future budgets.

3.  City Council request Transportation Services, with assistance from Toronto Water and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in collaboration with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the local Councillor and area residents, to continue to refine the preferred concept based on comments detailed in this report and to determine a detailed design and address the issues raised by the area residents and working group members that are detailed in this report, including the provision of a continuous sidewalk, general accessibility, creation of a walkable grade between the two cul-de-sacs, increased greening within the central green space, and a review of the proposed parking supply.

4.  City Council direct Transportation Services staff, in consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and in collaboration with the local Councillor, to consult with the community through the working group program established in this report, to ensure the working group is active throughout the various stages of detailed design and implementation, and to finalize a terms of reference for the working group prior to any future meeting of the working group.

5.  City Council request Transportation Services to continue to use the Public Consultation Unit of Policy, Planning, Finance and Administration to support community consultation for the project.

6.  City Council request staff from the various divisions involved in the Green Streets program to review the possibility of including the Hillside Drive Green Streetscape project as part of a potential pilot project within the Green Streets program.

7.  City Council request staff from Transportation Services to further review the parking requirement and demand on Hillside Drive, within the scope of the Hillside Drive Green Streetscape project, and determine if the reduction of parking by 14 spaces is required to be adjusted.

8.  City Council request the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, to review the Official Plan land use designation for the vacant parcel of land at the southwest corner of Broadview and Gamble Avenues through the Broadview Avenue Planning Study.

9.  City Council direct Transportation Services (Public Realm) to hire, as required, multi-disciplinary practitioners with expertise in low impact development street design.

On August 25, 2014, City Council directed City Planning, Transportation Services, Toronto Water, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Ward Councillor, and area residents, to address matters regarding the Hillside Drive - Green Street Project through the development of several green streetscape options.  In addition, City Council directed City Planning staff to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council in 2015 regarding the preferred green streetscape option for Hillside Drive.

This report summarizes the efforts of City Planning, Transportation Services, Toronto Water, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation to prepare green streetscape options and brings forward a preferred streetscape direction for Hillside Drive.

Further, this report recommends a working group format to involve the local community in the implementation of the green streetscape options and outlines potential partnership scenarios and funding sources.