Item - 2025.TE25.37

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the closure of the east sidewalk and easterly northbound designated cycle track on Sherbourne Street, between Gerrard Street East and a point 35 metres south, and a provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the designated cycle track and a temporary bike lane within a closed portion of the northbound traffic lane, from October 15, 2025 to May 31, 2026, inclusive.

2. City Council prohibit northbound left-turns, at all times, at the intersection of Sherbourne Street and Gerrard Street East.

3. City Council direct the applicant to pressure wash or 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 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.

5. City Council direct 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.

6. City Council direct 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.

7. City Council direct 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.

8. City Council direct 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.

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

11. City Council direct 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.

12. City Council direct the applicant to include a minimum of 75 percent of advertisement surface area on the construction hoarding which is to be allocated to artwork with adequate spotlighting at their sole cost; design is to be reviewed and approved by the local Ward Councillor.

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

14. City Council direct the applicant to cooperate with and provide all necessary assistance to the City Engineers, staff and representatives carrying out operation, maintenance, and construction activities to municipal infrastructure with the vicinity of the construction staging area, and at no cost to the City to remove any staging to accommodate the necessary municipal infrastructure work.

15. City Council direct the applicant to establish a Construction Management Working Group that meets monthly and invite local stakeholders including Transportation Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Building, adjacent neighbours, local resident groups, local Business Improvement Areas and local school administration.

16. City Council direct that Sherbourne Street be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

17. City Council direct 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.

18. City Council direct 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.

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

20. City Council direct the applicant to email monthly construction progress reports to the local Councillor, local residents’ association and Business Improvement Area Board of Management.

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

Forum Asset Management is constructing an 18-storey student residence at 307 Sherbourne Street. The site is located on the southeast corner of Sherbourne Street and Gerrard Street East.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to temporarily to close the east sidewalk and northbound cycle track on Sherbourne Street for a period of eight months, from October 15, 2025, to May 31, 2026, in order to enable construction staging operations for the development.

Pedestrians will be redirected into a 1.8 metre wide covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the northbound cycle track on the east side of Sherbourne Street. People cycling in the northbound cycle track be redirected into a 1.5 metre wide temporary bike lane. Pedestrian movements on the south side of Gerrard Street East will be maintained in a covered and protected walkway within the existing sidewalk.