Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: October 16, 2007

SUBJECT: Pomander Road Parking Prohibition

PREPARED BY: David Porretta, Engineering Technician, ext. 2040

Sabbir Saiyed, Manager of Transportation, ext. 8120

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Pomander Road Parking Prohibition” dated October 16, 2007, be received;

And that the attached by-law to amend Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, pertaining to “Prohibited Parking”, by including the north side of Pomander Road be approved;

And that the Operations Department be directed to install and maintain the appropriate signs upon approval of the attached by-law;

And that the Parking Control Department be directed to enforce the parking prohibition upon installation of the signs;

And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The cost of labour and materials to implement these parking signs will be financed from the Engineering Department 2007 Capital Budget Account 083-5350-6503-005. On-going maintenance costs for this installation will be accounted for in future Operations Department budgets.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

This report recommends prohibiting parking anytime on the north side of Pomander Road, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND:

Pomander Road is a local residential road with an average of 882 vehicles per day and an operating speed of 56 km/h. There are no sidewalks on Pomander Road. Therefore, pedestrians typically walk along the side of the road.

Residents of Pomander Road have contacted the Engineering Department with concerns about the frequent on-street parking occurring on Pomander Road. The concern being raised is that the parking activity is occurring on both sides of the street, creating unsafe conditions for through traffic and pedestrians. This activity is predominantly occurring on weekday evenings and weekends. Residents have requested that parking be prohibited on one side of Pomander Road to improve traffic operational safety.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The Engineering Department has confirmed that the parking activity is occurring on both sides of Pomander Road, restricting the two-way directional flow of traffic. Crosby Park, Toogood Pond and Main Street Unionville have been identified as the primary cause of the parking activity being generated.

Because of the traffic operational issues present, the Engineering Department is recommending that a parking prohibition be implemented on the north side of Pomander Road to maintain the two-way flow of traffic. The north side is the preferred location for the prohibition, as it will (1) minimize pedestrians crossing the street to access Crosby Park and other destinations to the south; (2) There are four fire hydrants located on the north side that must be clear of parked vehicles at a minimum distance of 3 metres on either side of the hydrant; and (3) there is greater capacity to accommodate parking on the south side.

With the exception of special events, Pomander Road has sufficient capacity available on the south side to accommodate any displaced vehicles as a result of the prohibition on the north side.

Councillor Joseph Virgilio has sent 59 notices to the residents of Pomander Road on August 31, 2007 indicating the Engineering Department’s recommendation to implement the prohibiting parking on the north side of Pomander Road.

The Engineering Department has received ± 10 responses from residents who are generally supportive (17%) of this parking prohibition and are also providing constructive feedback on the possibility of no parking on the other side of the street for example. These responses were received unsolicited by the Town as the notice was only to advise residents of the recommendation.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Operations Department has reviewed this request.

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ________________________

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P

Director of Engineering Commissioner, Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – Proposed Parking Prohibition Map

Attachment B – Proposed By-law Amendment