Item - 2026.TE28.24

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Authorized the continuation of the closure of the west sidewalk and west side southbound curb lane on Ontario Street, between Gerrard Street East and a point 42.5 metres south and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the southbound curb lane, from January 14, 2026 to June 12, 2026, inclusive.

2. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

3. Directed the applicant to continue to 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.

4. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

5. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

6. Directed the applicant to continue to maintain appropriate signage and request the applicant to maintain converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists' safety is considered at all times.

7. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

8. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

9. Directed the applicant to continue to maintain cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

10. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

11. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

12. Directed that Ontario Street be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

13. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

14. Directed the applicant to continue to provide monthly community meetings, to discuss any concerns raised by the community.

15. Directed the applicant to continue to create a publicly accessible website with regular construction updates and post the website address on the construction site hoarding, which must be prominently place and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

16. Directed the applicant to continue to mitigate light pollution by installing a shield/barrier on any lighting standards in close proximity to adjacent residential properties such as cranes.

17. Directed the applicant to continue 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.

18. Directed the applicant to continue to email monthly construction progress reports to the local Councillor, local residents' association and the 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.

Laughlin Solutions Incorporated has undertaken the construction of a 7-storey condominium at 227 Gerrard Street East. The site is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, Ontario Street to the east, Hagan Lane to the south, and Seaton Street to the west.

At its meeting of April 3, 2025, Toronto and East York Community Council authorized the continuation of the temporary closure of the west sidewalk and a portion of the southbound curb lane on Ontario Street, between Gerrard Street East and a point 42.5 metres south, from May 1, 2025 to November 30, 2025. By way of background, the developer indicated the development was scheduled to be completed in December 2026. However, due to a planned watermain replacement in the vicinity of the construction staging area, the occupation was only approved for a seven month period until November 30, 2025. Presently, the planned watermain project has been delayed to June 15, 2026.

In view of the above, Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area on Ontario Street for an additional six months, from January 14, 2026, to June 12, 2026. Subsequently, the developer will temporarily remove the construction staging area on Ontario Street to accommodate the watermain project. A future staff report is planned following the completion of the watermain replacement.