Item - 2023.TE5.23

The Toronto and East York Community Council:  

1. Authorized the closure of the west side sidewalk and a 2.9 metre wide portion of the southbound curb lane on Princess Street, between King Street East a point 43.9 metres north, and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of Princess Street, from August 1, 2023 to August 1, 2024.

2. Temporarily closed Duke Mews laneway, from August 1, 2023 to August 1, 2024.

3. Prohibited stopping at all times on the west side of Princess Street, between King Street East and a point 43.9 metres north.

4. Rescinded the existing parking machine regulation on the west side of Princess Street, between King Street East and a point 43.9 metres north, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, for a maximum period of three hours and at a rate of $3.00 per hour.

5. Directed 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.

6. Directed the applicant to construct (as per the City's engineer approved specifications) and maintain a fully covered, protected and unobstructed walkway, compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, for all pedestrians, including for those with mobility devices for the entire duration of the construction staging area permit

7. Directed 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. Directed 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.

9. Directed 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.

10. Directed the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone 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.

11. Directed the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone 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.

12. Directed the applicant to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

13. Directed 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.

14. Directed 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.

15. Directed 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.

16. Directed the Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services and the applicant to establish a Construction Management Working Group that meets monthly and invite local stakeholders including Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Buildings, adjacent neighbours, local resident groups, local Business Improvement Areas and local school administration.

17. Directed the applicant not to schedule staging of construction vehicles on streets in the vicinity of the construction site, without approval from the City's Work Zone Coordinator.

18. Directed that the occupation permit for construction staging on Princess Street and Duke Mews laneway be conditional, subject to there being no conflicts with Metrolinx transit project construction.

19. Directed the applicant to mitigate light pollution by installing a shield/barrier on any lighting standards in close proximity to adjacent residential properties, such as cranes.

20. Directed the applicant to create a publicly accessible website with regular construction updates and post the website address on the construction site hoarding, which must be prominently placed and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

21. Directed the applicant to email monthly construction progress reports to the local Councillor, local residents’ association and Business Improvement Area Board of Management.

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

Emblem Developments is constructing a 43-storey mixed-use condominium building with ground floor commercial space at 234-250 King Street East and 162 Princess Street. The site is located at the north-west corner of King Street East and Princess Street.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to temporarily close the west sidewalk and a portion of the southbound curb lane on Princess Street, and temporarily close Duke Mews laneway, for a period of 53 months from August 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027, to facilitate construction staging operations.