Item - 2021.TE24.82

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Re-opened Item TE16.49 entitled "Requests for Changes to Parking Regulations in Ward 11", only with respect to Part 3 of Toronto and East York Community Council's decision.

2. Deleted Part 3 of its decision with respect to Item TE16.49 and adopted the following:

"3. Rescinded the existing parking prohibition in effect at all times on the west side of Augusta Avenue, between Baldwin Street and Nassau Street."

At the outset of the pandemic in 2020, my office received a series of requests from businesses and residents in Kensington Market to remove parking on Augusta in order to create more space for physical distancing.

At the first opportunity my office moved to have this request studied, to ensure that we could support the new CafeTO programming that was forthcoming, as well as alleviate pressures on the street. Unfortunately, the request for study accidentally resulted in a change being made to the by-law before the study was completed which is the reason for the need to repeal this decision today.

After the change to the conditions on the street, Transportation Services and Toronto Parking Authority advised that the removal of parking in this area would be problematic due to the high demand on parking for local residents and impacts on paid parking spaces. We have also since been advised the CafeTO and CurbTO programs do not require a change to parking regulations allowing us to continue to support local businesses without needing to permanently remove parking permissions.