Item - 2025.TE21.41

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Authorized the General Manager, Transportation Services, upon issuance of a street event permit, to seasonally close Bellair Street, from Cumberland Street to Yorkville Avenue to vehicular traffic from May 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025, May 1, 2026 to October 15, 2026, May 1, 2027 to October 15, 2027 and May 1, 2028 to October 15, 2028, inclusive, providing eating establishment owners the opportunity to operate a curb lane café under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays.

2. Exempted any curb lane café permit holder with a permit area on Bellair Street, between Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue, from the requirements of §742-10.4. B(6), B(7) of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays, from May 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025, May 1, 2026 to October 15, 2026, May 1, 2027 to October 15, 2027 and May 1, 2028 to October 15, 2028, and alternatively require each permit holder to do the following during those periods:

a. ensure the primary entrance to their permit area on the street side is a minimum of 1.0 metre wide; and

b. if a secondary entrance is desired, install a temporary ramp in their permit area which provides for safe access to the permit area from the sidewalk and meets the following safety and placement requirements:

i. must be a minimum of 1.0 metre wide;

ii. must have contrasting colours with the roadway and sidewalk;

iii. must have a slip-resistant surface and be visible at night;

iv. must be stable so that it does not shift or move when used;

v. must be positioned to allow for adequate space at the bottom of the ramp for someone using a mobility device to turn and navigate into the café area; and

vi. must not be affixed to the sidewalk, curb edge or street with screws, bolts or any other materials.

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

Transportation Services is requesting approval to seasonally close a portion of Bellair Street, from Cumberland Street to Yorkville Avenue, from May 1, 2025, to October 15, 2025, and from May 1, 2026, to October 15, 2026, providing eating establishment owners the opportunity to operate a curb lane café as part of the CaféTO program.