Item - 2023.TE9.47

The Toronto and East York Community Council:  

1. Authorized the closure of the east sidewalk and a 3 metre wide portion of the northbound curb lane on George Street, between Richmond Street East and a point 45.5 metres south, and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of George Street, from November 16, 2023 to December 31, 2024.

2. Authorized the closure of the south sidewalk and a 3.7 metre wide portion of the south side westbound curb lane on Richmond Street East, between George Street and a point 103 metres east, and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of Richmond Street East, from November 16, 2023 to December 31, 2026.

3. Rescinded the existing no parking prohibition in effect all times, on the east side of George Street (TO), between Richmond Street East and a point 15 metres south.

4. Rescinded the existing parking machine regulation on the east side of George Street, between Richmond Street East and a point 45.5 metres south, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00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. Prohibited stopping at all times on the east side of George Street, between Richmond Street East and a point 45.5 metres south.

6. Rescinded the existing no parking prohibition in effect all times, on the west side of George Street (TO), between Richmond Street East and a point 63.9 metres south.

7. Prohibited stopping at all times on the west side of George Street, between Richmond Street East and a point 63.9 metres south.

8. Rescinded the existing stopping prohibition in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except public holidays on the south side of Richmond Street East, between George Street and a point 103 metres east.

9. Rescinded the existing parking machine regulation on the south side of Richmond Street East, between George Street and a point 103 metres east, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 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.

10. Rescinded the existing parking machine regulation on the south side of Richmond Street East, between George Street and a point 103 metres east, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, for a maximum period of 2.5 hours and at a rate of $3.00 per hour.

11. Prohibited stopping at all times on the south side of Richmond Street East, between George Street and a point 103 metres east.

12. Directed 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.

13. Directed 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 Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and ensure it is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Directed that George Street and Richmond Street East be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

24. Directed that the occupation permit for construction staging on George Street and on Richmond Street East be conditional, subject to there being no conflicts with Metrolinx transit project construction.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27.  Directed the applicant to pressure wash the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways weekly, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

28.  In areas where no cycling lanes exist, directed the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to install sharrow markings onto the roadway and display appropriate signage on the hoarding board to inform motorists and cyclist to safely share the road.

29.  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.

30.  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.

Alterra Group of Companies is constructing a 39 storey residential condominium building at 125 George Street.  The site is located at the southeast corner of George Street and Richmond Street East.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to temporarily close a portion of the northbound lane on George Street and a portion of the south side westbound curb lane on Richmond Street East for a period of 38 months, from November 16, 2023 to December 31, 2026 to accommodate a construction staging area.

Pedestrian operations on the east side of George Street will be maintained in a covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the existing northbound lane.  Pedestrian operations on the south side of Richmond Street East will be maintained in a covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the existing south side westbound curb lane. Two-way traffic movement will be maintained on George Street and one-way westbound traffic will be maintained on Richmond Street East.  The construction staging area will result in the loss of two on-street parking machine spaces on the east side of George Street and two on-street parking machine spaces on the south side of Richmond Street East.