Item - 2021.TE26.78
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on June 24, 2021 and was adopted without amendment.
TE26.78 - Developing a Coherent Streetscape Design and Plan for the Yorkville Triangle Area
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Ward:
- 11 - University - Rosedale
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council:
1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to work together with the Bloor-Yorkville BIA, the ABC Residents' Association, the Greater Yorkville Residents' Association, the BIA Office, and Councillor Layton's Office, to develop a coherent streetscape plan for the Yorkville Triangle area in coordination with major capital projects and utilities that incorporates the ABCRA's hydro burial initiative, along with all ongoing BIA and GYRA streetscape projects, and to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council in the first quarter of 2022.
Origin
Summary
The Bloor-Yorkville BIA and the ABC Residents' Association (ABCRA) have been working tirelessly to advance streetscape projects in the Yorkville Triangle area that enrich the neighbourhood for residents, business owners, and visitors alike. These initiatives, some of which are major in scope, complement one another, and overlap in their goals and vision for Yorkville.
For the last decade, the ABCRA has been advocating for the burial of overhead hydro equipment throughout the Yorkville Triangle. This has already been done to great success on Cumberland and Bellair, and the ABCRA would like to achieve consistency throughout their neighbourhood. The previous ward Councillor worked with the community to set aside Section 37 funds for this purpose, and the ABCRA would like to see this project move forward as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the BIA has a number of ongoing streetscape projects in their geographic area that both groups would like to see completed. This includes extending the flow-through, herring bone paving pattern from Yorkville Avenue throughout the BIA area, which is also supported by the Greater Yorkville Residents' Association. The BIA would also like to ensure that development-associated streetscaping in Yorkville follows the consistent plan previously developed by Planning and Urban Design staff, and is not executed in a piecemeal manner. The BIA's character lampposts are also nearing their end of life, and will soon need to be replaced, along with new underground hydro conduits and feeds.
All of these projects are complex, and would involve underground work, numerous utility cuts, and/or resurfacing and possible full reconstruction of a number of streets. They need to be planned and executed in conjunction with one another, as well as with other City infrastructure initiatives already scheduled in the area, in order to deliver them efficiently, quickly, and in the least disruptive manner. The BIA and the ABCRA would like to help one another to bring these projects to fruition, however these organizations are limited in what they can achieve based on their geographic scopes, organizational and legal structures, and available resources. As a result, there is a need for a City Division to assist them in coordinating these projects, and to develop a coherent plan forward.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-168692.pdf