Item - 2021.TE25.53
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on May 19, 2021 and was adopted without amendment.
TE25.53 - Updating Traffic Signage to Ensure Pedestrian and Public Safety on Dalhousie and Mutual Streets
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Ward:
- 13 - Toronto Centre
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council:
1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services, to immediately review parking regulations, enforcement and signage on Dalhousie and Mutual Streets, between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West and to include Church, Jarvis and Shuter Streets which are immediately attached or traversed in this zone and to report back to the September 9, 2021 Toronto and East York Community Council meeting on the outcomes.
2. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to immediately replace missing or damaged traffic signs.
3. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to immediately engage and include local community representatives, property managers, business owners and residents in the review of parking regulations.
4. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to immediately inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure that developers, contractors and subcontractors are appropriately adhering to and following City approved construction management plans and construction staging area approvals.
5. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to temporarily increase "no parking" zones within this catchment area until the majority of construction is complete.
6. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to immediately look for opportunities to improve community safety by recognizing the severe loss of City streets due to development-related construction. Measures such as painted crosswalks at all affected intersections would help to enhance pedestrian safety.
7. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to immediately review the placement of the Bikeshare station at the corner of Mutual and Shuter Street which is taking up one lane of traffic in addition to the construction staging site for 79-85 Shuter Street.
Origin
Summary
For the past 10 years, the City of Toronto and many downtown neighbourhoods have been inundated with an increasing number of development projects. While development is crucial to meet the expected population growth of our vibrant City, it is important that any new construction contributes to the health and well-being of our communities and neighbourhoods. The western section of the Garden District has seen a sudden rise in construction-related projects that have added new stress for area residents. Presently, there are eight developments underway within this catchment that have active construction sites.
While developers are required to submit a construction management plan for Construction Staging Area approvals to Transportation Services for temporary road closures within the public right of way, there is a severe disconnect with Transportation staff recommendations to TEYCC and those living in the development heavy construction areas.
My office has received a series of correspondence and complaints from constituents documenting missing signage and daily traffic violations in the Garden District boundaries. With the onset of large construction-related vehicles and respective construction staging plans taking up City streets, residents have reported that construction workers are infringing upon traffic rules such as parking in clearly marked "no parking" zones, blocking housing co-operatives, condominium driveways and abusing accessibility permits. This un-neighbourly and disorderly activity is occurring in the area of Dalhousie and Mutual Streets, between Dundas Street East and Queen Street East and creating negative impacts on the area residents.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-167057.pdf