Item - 2023.EY6.19

The Etobicoke and York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the closure of the east side sidewalk and a 1.3 metre wide portion of the northbound curb lane on Dorchester Avenue, between The Queensway and a point 88.3 metres further south, from July 20, 2023 to May 31, 2025.

2. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the east side of Dorchester Avenue, between The Queensway and a point 88.3 metres further south.

3. City Council rescind the existing no parking prohibition in effect all times on the west side of Islington Avenue, between a point 63.4 metres south of The Queensway and a point 12.2 metres further south.

4. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the west side of Islington Avenue, between a point 63.4 metres south of The Queensway and a point 12.2 metres further south.

5. City Council direct the applicant to sweep the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

6. City Council direct the applicant to construct and maintain a fully covered, protected and unobstructed walkway for all pedestrians, including for those with mobility devices, for the entire duration of the construction staging area permit to the satisfaction of the City engineer and ensure it is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

7. 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.

8. City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the pedestrian route on private property is fully illuminated and equipped with comprehensive CCTV monitoring 24 hours per day daily.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. City Council direct that Dorchester Avenue and Islington Avenue be returned to their pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

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

RioCan is constructing two mixed-use condominium buildings with ground floor retail space at 1001-1037 The Queensway. The west building comprises of an 8 and 10 storey building with a shared podium, while the east building is a 10 and 17 storey building with a shared podium. The site is located on the south side of The Queensway, between Islington Avenue and Dorchester Avenue.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to temporarily close the east sidewalk and a portion of the northbound curb lane on Dorchester Avenue, for a period of 23 months from July 20, 2023 to May 31, 2025, to facilitate construction staging operations. In addition, approval is requested to prohibit stopping along a portion of Dorchester Avenue and Islington Avenue abutting the development site, to accommodate construction vehicles accessing the construction site via entrances on both roadways.