Item - 2023.TE7.39

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of a 1.8 metre wide portion of the north sidewalk on Yorkville Avenue, between Avenue Road and a point 63 metres east of Avenue Road, from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2028.

2. City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of a 1.4 metre wide portion of the east sidewalk and a 2.1 metre wide portion of the northbound curb lane on Avenue Road, between Yorkville Avenue and a point 44 metres north, from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2028.

3. City Council direct the applicant to continue to 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.

4. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

5. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

6. City Council direct 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.

7. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

8. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

9. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

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

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

14. City Council direct that Avenue Road and Yorkville Avenue be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

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

First Capital is constructing a 29-storey condominium residential building, located on the north-east corner of Avenue Road and Yorkville Avenue. The north sidewalk on Yorkville Avenue, and northbound curb lane and a section of the sidewalk on Avenue Road, fronting the site is currently closed to accommodate construction staging operations.

At its meeting on June 15 and 16, 2022, City Council approved the subject construction staging areas from July 2022 to September 2023. The initial time period was to allow construction staging for the first phase of the project. The developer is now prepared to proceed with the next phase of the project to undertake construction of the building.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2028 to allow for construction of the development to be completed.