Item - 2024.NY11.24

North York Community Council recommends that: 

1. City Council designate a Community Safety Zone in effect at all times, on both sides of Don Mills Road between The Donway West / The Donway East (south intersection) and The Donway West / The Donway East (north intersection).

Don Mills Road is a divided arterial road with three lanes of traffic each way from Steeles Avenue in the north to the Don Valley Parkway in the south. I have heard from many concerned residents about speeding on Don Mills Road around the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East. Specifically from the The Donway in the north to The Donway in the south. (The Donway is a ring road that circles Don Mills Road). There is a desire to reduce vehicle operating speeds and improve pedestrian safety.

Reasons for implementing a community safety zone in this area include:

- Its proximity to several schools including Norman Ingram and Greenland Public schools, the Overland Learning Centre, Don Mills Middle School and Don Mills Collegiate

- Its close proximity to several seniors' residences including the Revera located on Don Mills Road in the proposed zone, Greenview Living and Thompson House. Many of the condominiums located along Don Mills Road are also inhabited by seniors who need extra time to cross the street;

- The presence of the Shops at Don Mills which is a major retail location that produces increased traffic and pedestrian activity;

- The intersection of several Toronto Transit Commission bus lines at Lawrence Avenue East and Don Mills Road that will be expanded with the arrival of the Crosstown further south;

- The inability of Toronto Police to provide sufficient traffic enforcement as there is not the public space available to safely set up equipment or stop people.