Item - 2023.TE4.50

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Authorized the continuation of the closure of the west sidewalk on Peter Street, between Queen Street West and Jack Cooper Lane, from April 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

2. Authorized the closure of a 0.85 metre wide portion of the southbound curb lane on Peter Street, between Queen Street West and Jack Cooper Lane, from April 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

3. Authorized the closure of the bike lane on the west side of Peter Street, between Queen Street West and Jack Cooper Lane, from April 27, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

4. Authorized the closure of the bike lane on the east side of Peter Street, between a point 15 metres north of Richmond Street West and Queen Street West, from April 27, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

5. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

6. Directed the applicant to continue to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkways have proper enhanced lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

7. Directed the applicant to continue 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. 

8. Directed the applicant to continue to install appropriate signage and converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

9. Directed the applicant to continue providing a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and the 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. 

10. Directed the applicant to continue providing a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and the 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.

11. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

12. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

13. Directed that Peter Street be returned to pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

375-381 Queen Street West Inc., is constructing a seven-storey mixed-use office building with ground floor retail at 375-381 Queen Street West. A portion of the southbound curb lane on Peter Street and west sidewalk, abutting the site, is currently closed to accommodate construction staging operations for the development. Toronto and East York Community Council, at its meeting on September 16, 2020, authorized the subject construction staging area from September 16, 2020 to October 31, 2022. The developer has requested an extension of the duration of the construction staging area on Peter Street, as the site has experienced a number of construction delays due to inclement weather and labour interruptions.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area on Peter Street for an additional nine months, from April 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023, to allow for the construction of the development to be completed. It should be noted that during the lapse in approval period, the site has been operating under a monthly Street Occupation Permit.

Additionally, the east sidewalk on Peter Street, between Queen Street West and Richmond Street West was recently widened as part of the City's streetscaping project. As a result of the project, the overall width of Peter Street was reduced and the northbound bike lane can no longer be maintained within the vicinity of the construction staging area. Therefore, Transportation Services is requesting authorization to temporarily close the bike lane on the east side of Peter Street, between a point 15 metres north of Richmond Street West and Queen Street West.