Item - 2018.TE29.55

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council approve the closure of the south sidewalk and eastbound curb lane on Queen Street East, between Laing Street and a point 83 metres east and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the eastbound curb lane, from March 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019.

2. City Council rescind the existing stopping prohibition in effect from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except public holidays on the south side of Queen Street East, between Laing Street and a point 84.2 metres east.

3. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the south side of Queen Street East, between Laing Street and a point 84.2 metres east.

4. City Council rescind the existing maximum two-hour parking regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday on the south side of Queen Street East, between Laing Street and a point 84.2 metres east.

5. City Council rescind the existing parking machine regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday on the south side of Queen Street East, between Laing Street and a point 84.2 metres east.

6. City Council direct the applicant to post a 24-hour monitored construction hotline number on the hoarding board, which must be prominently placed and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

7. City Council direct the applicant to work with the STEPS Initiative to provide and install public art, including mural artwork, onto every elevation of the hoarding board with adequate spotlighting for night-time illumination, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

8. City Council direct that Queen Street East be returned to its pre-construction traffic regulations when the project is completed.

9.  City Council direct the applicant to sweep the construction site daily and nightly, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

10.  City Council direct the applicant to pressure wash the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways weekly, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

11.  City Council direct the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to maintain any bike lanes, and install appropriate signage to inform drivers and cyclists of any changes to the cycling lanes.

12.  In areas where no cycling lanes exist, City Council direct the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to install sharrow markings onto the roadway and display appropriate signage on the hoarding board to inform motorists and cyclist to safely share the road.

13.  City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkway have proper lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

14.  City Council direct the applicant to clearly consult and communicate all construction, parking and road occupancy impacts with local business improvement areas and resident associations in advance of any physical road modifications.

15.  City Council direct the applicant to install appropriate signage and converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

16.  City Council direct the applicant to create a publicly accessible website with regular construction updates and post the website address on the site.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Queen Street East, City Council approval of this report is required.

Rockport (Queen & Leslie) Inc. is constructing an 8-storey mixed use development at 1327 Queen Street East. The site is located on the south side of Queen Street East approximately midway between Laing Street and Knox Avenue.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to close the south sidewalk and portion of the eastbound curb lane on Queen Street East for a period of 20 months to set up a construction staging area for the development.  The developer originally requested a closure for 29 months but this was reduced to 20 months through discussions with staff. Pedestrians will be accommodated in a covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the eastbound curb lane.

The Councillor has requested that a right-of-way occupancy permit for the development be initially issued for 10 months (i.e. March 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018) followed by a review of the construction status to determine if the remainder duration of 10 months (i.e. January 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019) for the lane occupation can be further shortened.