Item - 2022.TE34.115

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the closure of the east side sidewalk, the northbound bike lane and the parking layby lane on River Street, between Labatt Avenue and a point 46.1 metres north, and provision of a temporary minimum 2.1 metre-wide pedestrian walkway and 1.3 metre-wide bike lane within the closed portion of River Street, from October 1, 2022 to January 31, 2026.

2. City Council authorize the closure of the north sidewalk and a 2.2 metre wide portion of the north side eastbound lane on Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east, from October 1, 2022 to January 31, 2026.

3. City Council authorize the full closure of Carfrae Lane, between Labatt Avenue and a point 46.1 metres north, from March 1, 2024 to January 31, 2026.

4. City Council authorize a temporary compulsory stop control for eastbound traffic at the intersection of Labatt Avenue and Defries Street, from October 1, 2022 to January 31, 2026.

5. City Council rescind the existing permit parking regulation in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at all times on the odd (east) side of River Street, from Labatt Avenue to a point 46.1 metres north.

6. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the east side of River Street, between Labatt Avenue and a point 46.1 metres north.

7. City Council rescind the existing parking prohibition on the north side of Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east.

8. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the north side of Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east.

9. City Council rescind the existing maximum one hour parking regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the south side of Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east.

10. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the south side of Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east.

11. City Council direct the applicant to pressure wash or sweep (weather permitting) the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

12. City Council direct the applicant to construct and maintain a fully covered, protected, unobstructed, and fully AODA compliant walkway for all pedestrians, including for those with mobility devices for the entire duration of the construction staging area permit. Any planned construction of the covered walkway that deviates from the City's engineer approved specifications, must be signed off by the developer's engineer and will be subject to review and acceptance by Transportation Services.

13. City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkway have proper enhanced lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

14. City Council direct the applicant to clearly consult and communicate all construction, parking and road occupancy impacts with local business improvement areas and resident associations in advance of any physical road modifications.

15. City Council direct the applicant to install appropriate signage and request the applicant to install converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

16. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, on a daily basis to control construction vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

17. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, during large scale concrete pours and large scale material deliveries to control vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

18. City Council direct the applicant to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

19. City Council direct the applicant to post a 24-hour monitored construction hotline number on the hoarding board, which must be prominently placed and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

20. City Council direct the applicant to provide and install public art, including mural artwork, onto every elevation of the hoarding board with adequate spotlighting for night-time illumination, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

21. City Council direct the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to maintain any bike lanes, and install appropriate signage to inform drivers and cyclists of any changes to the cycling lanes.

22. City Council direct that River Street, Labatt Avenue and Carfrae Lane be returned to their pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on River Street, City Council approval of this report is required.

Broccolini is constructing a 34-storey residential condominium building at 83-97 River Street and 2-4 Labatt Avenue. The site is located at the north-east corner of River Street and Labatt Avenue.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to close the east side sidewalk, the northbound bike lane and the parking layby lane on River Street, between Labatt Avenue and a point 46.1 metres north, for a period of 40 months, from October 1, 2022 to January 31, 2026 to facilitate construction staging operations. Pedestrian operations on the east side of River Street will be maintained in a minimum 2.1 metre-wide covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the existing lane. A northbound bike lane will be maintained at 1.3 metres in width, and will be adjacent to the walkway.  

Transportation Services is also requesting authorization to close the north side sidewalk and a 2.2 metre wide portion of the north side eastbound lane on Labatt Avenue, between River Street and a point 40.5 metres east, for the same period. Pedestrian movements on the north side of Labatt Avenue abutting the site will be restricted and will be directed to the south side sidewalk of Labatt Avenue. Temporary stop control will be installed for eastbound traffic on Labatt Avenue at Defries Street, to create a gap for north-south crossing pedestrians.

In addition, Transportation Services is requesting authorization to fully close a portion of Carfrae Lane for a period of 23 months, from March 1, 2024 to January 31, 2026, from Labatt Avenue to a point 46.1 metres north.

The developer has advised Transportation Services that they will be providing parking accommodations on private property for four vehicles. This is equivalent to the number of permit parking spaces that are being temporarily lost as a result of the installation of the staging area on the east side of River Street, north of Labatt Avenue. Residents in the area with a valid permit will be able to park overnight within the off-street parking facilities provided by the developer.