Item - 2020.TE19.52

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Amended the stopping prohibition in effect at all times from April 1 to October 15, inclusive, to be in effect at all times from April 1 to November 15, inclusive, on the west side of Market Street, between The Esplanade and Front Street East.

2. Amended the parking machines regulation on the west side of Market Street, between The Esplanade and Front Street East, in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, from October 16 of one year to March 31 of the next following year, inclusive, to be in effect from November 16 of one year to March 31 of the next following year, inclusive, for a maximum period of three hours at a rate of $4.00 per hour.

3. Rescinded the stopping prohibition in effect at all times on the east side of Market Street, between a point 55.1 metres south of Front Street East and a point 18.3 metres further south.

In response to COVID-19 and the temporary closure of indoor dining, the City moved quickly to permit  temporary sidewalk café and curb lane café patios on the City’s right-of-way for eligible restaurants to allow these business to recover some expenses lost over the pandemic. Some restaurants were not eligible for CafeTO, but worked with Transportation Services and business improvement areas (BIAs) to find solutions to give them the best chance to get through COVID-19.

Several years ago, Market Street in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood was redesigned to become a curbless, flexible boulevard. During the winter, pay-and-display parking is introduced, while in the summer the parking is removed and bollards provided  to create a more attractive streetscape that can be more easily closed for events.

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA has been working with stakeholders on Market Street to provide patio space on the city’s right-of-way, similar to what has been provided through CafeTO. Due to the operations on Market Street, it was not eligible for use with CafeTO, but Transportation Services has worked diligently with the BIA to accommodate curb lane patios here for the benefit of the restaurants.

Market Street is set to revert back to pay-and-display parking on October 15 which will prevent patios from continuing to operate. The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA has asked on behalf of these restaurants and with their blessing, to allow for the current and future extension of these patios until November 15. Green P parking staff are agreeable to the loss of these pay-and-display spots.  Transportation Services have agreed to permit this extension as long as the restaurants or BIA is responsible for clearing snow in the patio encroachment should any fall ahead of November 15.

The adoption of these recommendations will assist Market Street restaurants, especially as the province has moved to restrict indoor dining as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19.