URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

A G E N D A

 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.

PRESENTATIONS:

10:00 a.m.Respecting Item No. (5):School Facility Reviews, City-Wide.

-Mr. Paul Bedford, Executive Director and Chief Planner, City Planning Division, Urban Planning and Development Services Department, will make a presentation to the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

10:30 a.m.Respecting Item No. (16):Flexlink Advanced Auto Network (FAAN)

- Smart Mobility For The Millennium.

-Mr. Rocco Maragna, President, Maragna Architect Incorporated, will make a presentation to the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

DEPUTATIONS: (A comprehensive list will be available at the meeting.)

11:00 a.m.Respecting Item No. (9):Proposed Installation of Pedestrian Crossover: McNicoll Avenue and Silver Springs Boulevard.

2:00 p.m.Respecting Item No. (1):Vital Services in Rental Residential Properties in the City of Toronto.

(A)COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS.

1.VITAL SERVICES IN RENTAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

IN THE CITY OF TORONTO.

(DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING. DEPUTATION ITEM - 2:00 P.M.)

Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(August 24, 1998)

Advising that staff are of the opinion that a Vital Services By-law should not be enacted under current legislation as it could put the City in the position of having significant and potentially non-recoverable funds owing; that other mechanisms are available to address the risk to vulnerable persons without incurring the high administrative costs and uncertainty of recovery of funds; that legislation exists to allow Toronto Hydro essentially the same power of recovery of outstanding bills as under the former City of Toronto's "Urgent Hazards Program"; that the policy of Consumers Gas notes that "gas service may be discontinued only as a last resort", and the company advises that it would generally not cut service in the winter where vulnerable persons would be at risk; stating that prior to considering enacting a Vital Services By-law, it would be appropriate for a working group, comprised of representatives from Municipal Standards, Public Health, and the relevant utilities or fuel providers, to establish policies with respect to discontinuing service/supply, and to monitor these policies in action for at least one year; explaining that it is possible to minimize the number of situations under which Emergency Orders (either under a Property Standards By-law, or the Health Protection and Promotion Act) would have to be used by ensuring that the utility companies provide sufficient notice of planned cutoff to allow for proper evaluation of specific situations and to provide the opportunity to apply alternative solutions; and recommending that this report be received as information.

1a.Medical Officer of Health

(August 24, 1998)

Advising that Public Health staff met with representatives from agencies and organizations that serve tenants and persons living in poverty on August 13, 1998 to discuss possible health impacts to residents should the City not intervene to restore cut-off vital services; stating that the health of the residents of Toronto could be compromised if vital services are turned off; further advising that the August 24, 1998 report of the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services (Item1 above)has been reviewed, and the idea of a working group to review anticipated service cut-offs before they occur is supported; however, there are concerns about the feasibility of using the Health Protection and Promotion Act as a remedy in these circumstances; and recommending that:

(1)this report be received for information; and

(2)the City Solicitor be requested to review the feasibility and conditions under which the Health Protection and Promotion Act, c.H.7, R.S.O. 1990 could be applied in situations involving the discontinuation of vital services.

1b.City Solicitor

(September 3, 1998)

Responding to a request made by the Urban Environment and Development Committee on September 8, 1998, to submit a report on Recommendation No.(2) embodied in the report dated August 24, 1998, from the Medical Officer of Health (see 1a above); advising that the Province has delegated extensive authority to municipalities to regulate municipal maintenance standards and vital services; however, this authority does not exist in the Health Protection and Promotion Act; that, therefore, it is unlikely that the Act can be used to regulate municipal maintenance standards or vital services; stating that the Health Protection and Promotion Act has, as its focus, community health protection and promotion; that any attempt to rely on the "health hazard" provisions of that Act should be made on a case-by-case basis after consideration has been given to both the context of the situation and the scope and intent of the Act; further advising that he was also requested to report on the timing implications for tenants who use the provincial Tribunal process for prosecution/enforcement of vital services issues; explaining that the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal's Scheduling Hearing Standards from its policy manual indicates that there is no fee for a hearing regarding the landlord's having withheld or interfered with the supply of vital services, and that the tribunal hearing should take place approximately 11days from the date the tenant applies to the Tribunal for relief; and recommending that this report be received for information.

1c.Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(June 10, 1998)

Recommending that the City of Toronto not enact a vital services by-law under authority of the Tenant Protection Act, given the expected high cost of its administration and potential for financial risk to the City; advising that, in the event that Council chooses not to adopt the aforementioned recommendation and, instead, chooses to enact a Vital Services By-law, then that action would require the reversal of Council's previous budgetary decision to discontinue the former City of Toronto's "urgent hazard" program in order to commit funds now to the staffing and administration of a vital services program in the amount of $60,000.00 for 1998 and $120,000.00 annualized thereafter; that, in addition, historically the former City of Toronto committed funds, ranging from $500,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 annualized, to the restoration of utilities in rental residential properties; explaining that under authority of the City of Toronto Act, these funds were recoverable as they were collectible through the municipal realty tax process; that any future funds to be expended by the City to restore such utilities under a vital services by-law would be at great risk of being unrecoverable, given that the enabling legislation does not provide for such funds to be placed on the tax rolls; stating that the current legislation provides for a lien to be placed against the property and/or for the City to have tenants pay rents directly to the City; and suggesting that City Council seek to rely instead on general enforcement of municipal standards regulations through prosecution by the City as necessary, as well as on procedures which are currently being put into place under the Tenant Protection Act for tenants to seek prosecution activity through the Provincial Tribunal specifically regarding vital services.

1d.City Solicitor

(June 9, 1998)

Reviewing the potential implications of the motion referred by City Council at its meeting of May 13 and 14, 1998, which proposes that the City enact a by-law requiring providers of vital services to adopt a program whereby the service providers would continue to provide services to tenanted properties despite the landlord's failure to make utility payments; advising that City Council lacks the authority to enact such a by-law; that Council may require utility companies to give 30 days notice of the intention to discontinue service for non-payment; however, after the 30-day period has elapsed, Council cannot require continuation of the service without payment to the utility company; and recommending that this report be received for information.

1e.City Clerk

(August 10, 1998)

Enclosing, for information and any attention deemed necessary, Clause No.3 contained in Report No. 9 of The Urban Environment and Development Committee, headed "Vital Services in Rental Residential Properties in the City of Toronto", which was adopted, without amendment, by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on July29, 30and31,1998; such action, in effect, being that City Council received the report dated July 15, 1998, from the City Solicitor.

(NOTE:THE DECISION OF THE COUNCIL STRATEGY COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES WITH RESPECT TO THIS MATTER WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE MEETING.)

2.SHEPPARD SUBWAY11:30 A.M.

- STATUS OF PERMITS AND APPROVALS.

(DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING)

General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission

(May 21, 1998)

Advising that the Toronto Transit Commission on May 20, 1998, considered Report No. (27), entitled "Sheppard Subway Status of Permits and Approvals"; that the Commission received the subject report for information and approved the following:

(1)that staff report on the critical path for completion of the Sheppard Subway, including tenders, site plan approvals, building permits, design work, tunnelling work and any other appropriate deadlines associated with the project; and further

(2)that any site plan approval conditions which add costs beyond the approved budget for the Sheppard Subway project be forwarded to the City Budget Committee and City Council for additional project and funding approval;

and stating that the foregoing is forwarded for the information of the City of Toronto Council.

2a.Chief General Manager, Toronto Transit Commission

(July 30, 1998)

Responding to a request made by the Urban Environment and Development Committee for a full report on the potential cost overruns on the Sheppard Subway project; submitting a copy of the briefing given to the Toronto Transit Commission on July 9, 1998, which covers the potential cost overruns; advising that the TTC does not expect to have any more information until after September 8, 1998; and that staff will be present at the September 8, 1998 meeting of the Committee to respond to any questions.

2b.A communication addressed to the Toronto Transit Commission

from the ChiefGeneral Manager of the Commission, and the

Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(August 31, 1998)

Regarding building permits for the Sheppard Subway; and specifying the outstanding issues that must be resolved prior to the issuance of the remaining permits and approvals.

3.WHEEL-TRANS VEHICLE REPLACEMENT.11.40 A.M.

General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission

(September 24, 1998)

Advising that the Toronto Transit Commission on September 23, 1998, approved the following Recommendations contained in Report No. (6), entitled "Wheel-Trans Vehicle Replacement":

(1)a $10.1 million increase in the current project approval amount of $17.4million for the Wheel-Trans Vehicle Replacement project, bringing the total to $27.5million; and

(2)an increase in the 1998 Operating Budget allocation for purchasing these buses from $2,000,000.00 to $2,800,000.00 due to bus price increases, noting that should it not be possible to award this contract and make initial payments in 1998, arrangements should be made to place these funds into Contingency for use in 1999; and

(3)the award of a contract to Overland Custom Coach Inc. for the supply of 127accessible low floor (ELF) buses in the amount of $27,030,966.00 (including taxes), subject to City Council approval;

(4)the provision of associated spare parts, test equipment, vehicle maintenance training, vehicle inspection services and in-house support in the amount of $469,034 00(net of GST rebate);

(5)forwarding this report to the City of Toronto Council for approval of:

(a)additional project approval and financing of $10.1 million by no later than October 30, 1998 at which time the bids expire;

(b)and an increase of $800,000.00 in the 1998 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget subject to successful negotiations with Overland Custom Coach Inc. regarding the delivery of 14 ELF low floor buses in 1998; and

(6)forwarding this report to the TTC's Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation for information."

4.PROCESSING OF REQUESTS AND CRITERIA

FOR "INTERVENOR FUNDING".

City Solicitor, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and

Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(September 17, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)any requests from community groups for funding to participate in Ontario Municipal Board hearings be forwarded to the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services;

(2)the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services be directed to prepare a report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee on each request recommending how Council should respond to the request for funding; and

(3)Council not adopt criteria for considering requests from community groups for participation in Ontario Municipal Board hearings.

5.SCHOOL FACILITY REVIEW CITY-WIDE.

(PRESENTATION ITEM - 10:00 A.M.)

Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(September 17, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services and appropriate City staff be requested to participate in the development of a strategic planning initiative for school facilities with representatives of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The objective of this strategy would be to identify ways to maximize the use of public resources, minimize the impact on local communities and ultimately to ensure that the present and future needs of the City's residents are adequately addressed;

(2)the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services and senior staff from the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board request a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Training to be held as soon possible, in order to apprise them of the proposed school strategic planning initiative and obtain their support;

(3)appropriate City staff be instructed to give effect thereto; and

(4)this report be forwarded to the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, for their consideration.

6.CASH PAYMENT-IN-LIEU OF PARKING

RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS.

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and

Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

(September 10, 1998)

Recommending that the Commissioners of Works and Emergency Services and Urban Planning and Development Services be requested to report jointly, at the appropriate time, to the Urban Environment and Development Committee recommending consolidated policies and practices for the new City with respect to cash payment-in-lieu of parking related to development applications; and providing background information and a brief summary of the current policies and procedures in the former municipalities with respect to cash payment-in-lieu of parking related to development applications.

6a.City Clerk

(July 29, 1998)

Stating that the East York Community Council on July 22, 1998, advised the Urban Environment and Development Committee to consider the following position put forth by the Community Council:

(i)that the City consider implementing a policy whereby cash-in-lieu of parking applications be circulated to all residents and businesses within a 60-metre radius of the property noted within the application; and

(ii)that a comprehensive review/analysis be undertaken throughout the City of Toronto with respect to the parking space costs for cash-in-lieu of parking.

7.THIRTY KILOMETRE PER HOUR SPEED LIMITS APPLIED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH SUBSTANTIVE TRAFFIC-CALMING PROJECTS

- RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF ENABLING LEGISLATION.

General Manager, Transportation Services

(September 22, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1) the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, be authorized to apply for special legislation to remove or, alternatively, to extend the "sunset clause" in Bill Pr 54, an "ActRespecting the City of Toronto" (the 30 km/h speed limit legislation), and also to extend the legislation to apply to the entire area of the City of Toronto; and

(2) the appropriate City officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

8.CONTRACT No. T-38-98:

ROAD AND TRACK ALLOWANCE

RECONSTRUCTION AT FOUR LOCATIONS.

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

(August 31, 1998)

Recommending that the contract price for Contract No. T-38-98, Road and Track Allowance Reconstruction at Four Locations, be increased by $150,000.00 net to a total of $1,463,813.41, to accommodate the additional work necessary at LakeShoreBoulevard West between Symons Street and Royal York Road and on Lake Shore Boulevard West between Kipling Avenue and 23rd Street; advising that funding for this project has previously been approved by Council and is available in the Toronto Transit Commission's Track Reconstruction Program; that the Treasurer has previously certified that financing can be provided under the updated Debt and Financial Obligation Limit and that it falls within corporate debt guidelines; stating that the work is being undertaken on behalf of the TTC and the funds are available in Capital Account No. C-TR025, Work for Others, to accommodate the extra cost of this Contract.

9.PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSOVER:

McNICOLL AVENUE AND SILVER SPRINGS BOULEVARD.

(DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING. DEPUTATION ITEM - 11:00 A.M.)

General Manager, Transportation Services

(July 30, 1998)

Recommending that a pedestrian crossover be installed on McNicoll Avenue at SilverSprings Boulevard; advising that the subject location has been investigated on numerous occasions in response to pedestrian safety concerns raised by the SilverSprings Community Association; that the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are not met at the aforementioned location; that, in support of the September 1997 resolution of the former Scarborough Council, a pedestrian crossover should be installed at this location at an estimated cost of $19,300.00; and stating that funds are available for the installation of pedestrian crossovers as per Section 37 agreement, Account No.70697-0000-0000-853.

Ward:Scarborough-Agincourt.

10.NON-CONCURRENCE WITH REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC

CONTROL SIGNALS: MIDLAND AVENUE AND LOCKIE AVENUE.

(DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING.)

General Manager, Transportation Services

(July 30, 1998)

Reporting on the results of the traffic signal warrant studies conducted at MidlandAvenue and Lockie Avenue, in response to concerns raised by members of the public about the operation of the existing pedestrian crossover (PXO) at this location; stating that the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are not met at the aforementioned intersection; that the location is suitable for a PXO; and recommending that this report be received for information.

Ward:Scarborough-Agincourt.

11.PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE

SOUTHBOUND LEFT-TURN PROHIBITION AT

OLD WESTON ROAD AND ROCKWELL AVENUE.

General Manager, Transportation Services

(September 8, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the existing southbound left-turn prohibition at the intersection of OldWestonRoad and Rockwell Avenue, which is currently in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, be extended to be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly;

advising that the proposed extension will have a negligible impact on the road network in this area; that the estimated cost of installing appropriate signs is $600.00; and that the funds associated with this work are contained in the Transportation Services Division's 1998 Current Budget.

Ward:Davenport.

12.PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS:

WESTCLAIR CENTRE SITE DRIVEWAY

- WESTON ROAD NORTH OF ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST.

General Manager, Transportation Services

(September 18, 1998)

Recommending that at the central site access for the Westclair Centre development on Weston Road north of St. Clair Avenue West:

(1)traffic control signals be installed;

(2)westbound right-turns-on-red be prohibited;

(3)the southerly westbound approach lane be designated for left turns only from Weston Road to the City of Toronto property line;

(4)the northerly westbound approach lane be designated for left and right turns only from Weston Road to the City of Toronto property line;

(5)pedestrian crossings be prohibited at all times on Weston Road between the north curb line of the central site access and a point 30.5 metres south of the south curb line of the central site access; and

(6)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended, accordingly;

advising that the funds associated with new traffic control signal installations will be the responsibility of the developer, Imland Corporation; and that the estimated upset limit for installing the traffic control signals is $100,000.00.

Ward:Davenport.

13.PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS:

McNICOLL AVENUE AND

HAROLD EVANS CRESCENT/PLACER COURT.

General Manager, Transportation Services

(September 9, 1998)

Recommending that traffic control signals be approved on McNicoll Avenue at Harold Evans Crescent/Placer Court; advising that the installation of the aforementioned traffic control signals is technically warranted and would provide benefits to all road users in the immediate area; that the estimated cost for the installation of traffic control signals at this location is $72,900;00; stating that, in 1998, $1.6 million has been allocated for new traffic control signal installation; however, 21 traffic control signals have been approved so far in 1998, which fully commits all these funds; therefore, unless additional funding is identified in 1998, the installation of newly approved traffic control signals will have to await approval of the appropriate budget item in the 1999 Capital Budget.

Ward:North York Seneca Heights.

14.NON-CONCURRENCE WITH THE PROPOSED

INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

ON CHERRY STREET AT COMMISSIONERS STREET.

(DEFERRED FROM JUNE 15 AND 16, 1998 MEETING)

Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

(May 20, 1998)

Responding to a request from the Toronto Community Council to study the feasibility of installing traffic control signals at the intersection of Cherry Street and Commissioners Street; advising that an audit of the physical suitability of the pedestrian crossover (PXO) at this intersection did not reveal any characteristics which would make this location unsuitable for a PXO, and that staff of the former City of Toronto report that the PXO has been operating satisfactorily since it was installed in 1984; that, after reviewing the potential impacts of redevelopment and reconstruction in the area, staff have concluded that traffic control signals will not likely be required at the aforementioned intersection in the next few years; and recommending that the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of CherryStreet and Commissioners Street not be approved.

14a.City Clerk

(September 23, 1998)

Advising that the Toronto Cycling Committee on September 22, 1998, recommended to the Urban Environment and Development Committee that consideration of the report dated May 20, 1998 from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, headed " Non-Concurrence with the Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals on Cherry Street at Commissioners Street," be further deferred until such time as the Network/Bicycle Planning Sub-Committee of the Toronto Cycling Committee has met on-site to consider the issue of traffic safety.

15.PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT TO THE NORTHBOUND

THROUGH PROHIBITION ON EGLINTON AVENUE WEST

GLEN CEDAR ROAD/OLD PARK ROAD.

General Manager, Transportation Services

(September 9, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the existing northbound through prohibition on Eglinton Avenue West from Glen Cedar Road to Old Park Road, which is currently in effect from 7:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., except Sundays and Public Holidays, be modified to be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly;

advising that the estimated cost of installing the appropriate signs is $600.00; and that the funds associated with the implementation of the proposed adjustment to the northbound through prohibition are contained in the Transportation Services Division's 1998 Current Budget.

Wards:York-Eglinton; North-Toronto.

16.FLEXLINK ADVANCED AUTO NETWORK (FAAN)

- SMART MOBILITY FOR THE MILLENNIUM.

(PRESENTATION ITEM - 10:30 A.M..)

Mr. Rocco Maragna, President,

Maragna Architect Incorporated

(August 24, 1998)

Submitting information regarding the Flexlink Advanced Auto Network (FAAN); advising that FAAN is a new transportation system which is an intermediate between public and private transit, yet is complementary to both systems; requesting the opportunity to give a short presentation of this Smart Mobility concept to the Urban Environment and Development Committee with a view to seeking the endorsement of the Committee, and a recommendation that City staff be directed to provide assistance to, and participate with, the FAAN team in applying this approach to the specific needs of the City of Toronto.

ANY OTHER MATTERS.