Item - 2020.TE16.73

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Directed the General Manager of Transportation to work with staff from The Sumach – Chartwell on the creation and costing of a lay-by at the front entrance of 146 Sumach Street and to install signage that indicates a clear pick-up and drop-off area by the end of Q4 2020.

As part of the ongoing Regent Park revitalization project, The Sumach by Chartwell Retirement Residence at 146 Sumach Street opened in April 2019. The Sumach is primarily composed of seniors living with various abilities, with a number of residents requiring mobility devices. Currently, there is no signage to indicate a pick-up and drop-off area at the front entrance of the building. This has resulted in vehicles consistently parking along Sumach Street forcing residents to be dropped off further away from the sidewalk and front entrance. This has been challenging for residents, Wheel-Trans vehicles, ambulances and taxis.

Over the last several months, a number of residents have been in touch with my office voicing concerns about the lack of accessibility at the front entrance of the building. Recently, residents have informed my office that an ambulance arrived on-site to several tripping hazards. They are requesting the City to help improve the safety of residents.

Chartwell Retirement Residence is requesting the construction of lay-by at the front entrance of 146 Sumach Street. A lay-by in addition to clear signage indicating pick-up and drop-off only will address the accessibility and safety concerns raised by residents.