Item - 2022.TE32.99

The Toronto and East York Community Council requested:

1. The General Manager, Transportation Services to:

a. Investigate the potential to implement a temporary closure on Cumberland Street from Bellair Street to Old York Lane between May to September, for any period of time and:

       i. Report back to the Ward Councillor with the outcome of the investigation and with a timeline for implementation.

b. Investigate the potential to permanently close Cumberland Street between Bellair Street and Old York Lane. 

2. The General Manager, Transportation Services to undertake other necessary changes to by-laws on Cumberland Street to accommodate the closure identified in Recommendation 1 above.

3. The General Manager, Transportation Services to undertake consultation with the Ward Councillor, residents, and BIA while making a determination about next steps.

Since becoming Councillor for this area in 2018, I have had a number of discussions with residents and business owners in Yorkville concerned about pedestrian safety and noise from vehicles revving and, in some instances, racing through the neighbourhood. Many of those discussions have turned to pedestrianization as a concrete way to curb the noise and enhance safety for vulnerable road users.

Last year, with the support of the local residents associations and the BIA, we completed a trial pedestrianization of a portion of Yorkville Avenue, from Bellair Street to Hazelton Avenue, in the warmer months that was well received and could be replicated in other areas.

One such street that has come up time and time again as one where pedestrianization would be beneficial and could be achieved with minimal disruption is Cumberland Street, between Bellair Street and Old York Lane.