Item - 2024.IE14.14

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to:

a. Minimize property and tree impacts on Ridgewood Road and to the greatest extent possible ensure the design is within the existing right of way, for example through monolithic sidewalks or other design elements as appropriate;

b. Share the recommended design with Ridgewood residents in a mailed notice in the second quarter of 2025;

c. Host walkabouts with community members to discuss specific concerns in the second quarter of 2025; and

d. Host a public information session for Ridgewood residents in the fourth quarter of 2025 on the final design and anticipated timelines for 2026.

The purpose of this report is to provide Infrastructure and Environment Committee with updated cost estimates and project information associated with the potential construction of a sanitary sewer on Ridgewood Road, the costs for which would be recovered from property owners through a local improvement charge.

Road reconstruction and new sidewalk construction is planned on Ridgewood Road, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026. Although delivering the proposed sewer with the road reconstruction and new sidewalk could provide some cost and construction coordination benefits, bundling the two projects would result in the 2026 construction start being delayed to accommodate potential sewer design work.

At its meeting on March 20 and 21, 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to consult with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on the feasibility of amending Ontario Regulation 596/06 under the City of Toronto Act (the "Regulation") and to make any other legislative or regulatory amendments to allow the City to impose local improvement charges using different methods from those set out in the Regulation for the construction of the Ridgewood Road sewer.

Toronto Water, in collaboration with the City Manager's Office, has initiated consultation and been informed that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is currently analysing the City's request. Staff will provide an update on the conclusion of consultations with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at an upcoming Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting. It is expected that the time required for regulation amendments will exceed the timelines needed to coordinate the proposed sanitary sewer work with the scheduled road and sidewalk work.

The road reconstruction and new sidewalk work for Ridgewood Road should proceed as planned without bundling with the potential sanitary sewer project until such time that staff can confirm the use of an amended local improvement charge method to fund the sewer work.